Former Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak made a rare public appearance on October 8, 2026, stepping out in Los Angeles to honor legendary musical duo Air Supply as they received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Sajak, 79, joined music producer David Foster at the podium to celebrate the career milestones of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock. The iconic soft-rock duo received the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s 2,859th star in the Recording category, located at 6126 Hollywood Boulevard, during a ceremony hosted by radio personality Lisa Foxx.
Drawing Parallels on Longevity in Entertainment
Addressing the gathered crowd, Sajak reflected on his own lengthy tenure in television. He compared his decades on the puzzleboard with Air Supply’s impressive five-decade career in the music industry.
“I do know a little bit about longevity,” Sajak remarked during his speech. “As was pointed out, I did my little show for over 40 years, and I understand the challenge of trying not to wear out your welcome. But Graham and Russell have been at this for over 50 years, and they continue to entertain their fans and be welcomed by sold-out crowds all around the world.”
Sajak, who officially stepped down from hosting Wheel of Fortune in June 2024 after 41 seasons, praised the musicians for maintaining an unwavering standard of excellence throughout their touring career.
“And it’s because they still do it at such a very high level,” he continued. “They never phone in their performance. They never try to live off their reputation. They go all out each and every time they step on the stage, and they never disappoint.”
A Longstanding Friendship and Humorous Tribute
Beyond professional admiration, Sajak shared that he and his wife, Lesly Brown, have maintained a close personal friendship with Russell and Hitchcock over the years. Capitalizing on the moment, the retired television personality also brought a touch of humor to the afternoon celebration.
“In honor of Russell, I had planned to get a large Air Supply logo tattoo on my chest,” Sajak joked, drawing laughter from the audience before delivering a punchline that lightened the formal atmosphere.
Bringing the tribute back to a sentimental note, Sajak acknowledged the profound impact of the band’s catalog. He reminded attendees that hits like “Lost in Love” and “All Out of Love” served as the emotional backdrop for generations of fans’ first dates and first dances.
Air Supply’s Continuing Legacy
The Hollywood Walk of Fame honor coincides with a busy period for Air Supply. The group recently released A Matter of Time, their first new studio album in 16 years, featuring 11 tracks penned by Graham Russell. The milestone follows a major Carnegie Hall concert on May 13, 2025, exactly one day after the fiftieth anniversary of the day Russell and Hitchcock first met in 1975 during an Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
As the ceremony concluded, Sajak joined the musicians and fellow guest speaker David Foster for commemorative photographs, marking a memorable gathering of entertainment industry veterans.
