Jared Leto pranks ‘Wheel of Fortune’ audience with April Fools’ Day host swap
Jared Leto: The singer and Oscar-winning actor briefly switched roles with Pat Sajak as host of "Wheel of Fortune" as an April Fools' Day joke. (Medios y Media/Getty Images)
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Academy Award-winning actor Jared Leto helped “Wheel of Fortune” pull off an April Fools’ Day prank, briefly taking over the hosting duties that Pat Sajak has performed since 1981.
The show’s contestants were fooled during the pre-taping of Monday night’s episode and the television audience was next, Rolling Stone reported.
As she normally does, letter-turner and co-star Vanna White walked out arm-in-arm with the show’s host -- only this time, it was Leto, 52, instead of the 77-year-old Sajak, according to People.
“Here are the stars of our show, Jared Leto and Vanna White,” the show’s announcer said as the pair arrived and waved at the audience, according to the magazine.
“Thank you and have a great show. See you soon,” Leto, who captured an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Dallas Buyers Club, told White before she walked to the puzzle board.
“All right everybody, grab those devices. It’s time to give away some money,” Leto told the three contestants. “A thousand dollars in our first toss-up. The category is on the map.”
The Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman eventually switched places with Sajak, who resumed his regular role, “Today” reported.
There was no mention of the swap, but Leto asked “How’d I do?” on his Instagram Story, according to the news outlet.
On YouTube, the “Wheel of Fortune” channel asked under a video of the introduction, “Did you notice anything different in tonight’s show?!”
It was not the first time that “Wheel of Fortune” has had fun on April Fools’ Day. In 1997, Sajak traded jobs with “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek,” People reported.
And Leto is also not a stranger to “Wheel of Fortune.”
In November, Leto appeared with his brother and bandmate, Shannon Leto, in a snarky video to announce the band’s 2024 world tour, “Today” reported.
Sajak is hosting his final season of “Wheel of Fortune,” Rolling Stone reported. He will be replaced by Ryan Seacrest, but Sajak will remain as a consultant for the next three years.
0 of 11
Jared Leto through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 03: Jared Leto speaks onstage during the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording A)
Jared Leto through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Jared Leto attends the "Morbius" Fan Special Screening at Cinemark Playa Vista and XD on March 30, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Jared Leto through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Jared Leto attends the 11th Annual LACMA Art + Film Gala at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Jared Leto through the years PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 30: Jared Leto attends the #BoF500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week at Shangri-La Hotel Paris on September 30, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for The Business of Fashion) (Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for The Business of)
Jared Leto through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Jared Leto attends Vogue World: London 2023 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on September 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (Gareth Cattermole/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Jared Leto through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Jared Leto and Lil Nas X attend VOGUE World: New York on September 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Getty Images for Vogue) (Sean Zanni/Getty Images for Vogue)
Jared Leto through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Jared Leto attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue ) (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/)
Jared Leto through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 23: Jared Leto of Thirty Seconds to Mars performs onstage during the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 23, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Jared Leto through the years NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 12: Jared Leto of Thirty Seconds to Mars speaks on stage during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV)
Jared Leto through the years PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 20: (L-R) Jared Leto and Kim Kardashian attend the the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 20, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pierre Mouton/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton) (Pierre Mouton/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton)
Sign Up
