Before ‘Wheel Of Fortune,’ Vanna White Was On ‘The Price Is Right’

Look deep enough into any game show, and you will find a familiar face associated with a completely different IP. Such was the case even for Vanna White, an iconic part of Wheel of Fortune for over four decades, who can also be seen on yet another famous game show: The Price is Right.

White first joined Wheel of Fortune since its inception, making up one-half of a famous pair with Pat Sajak, who at 76 just announced his impending retirement. But on the eve of this historic part to a definitive part of her career, White was on The Price is Right just eight years into its run.

Vanna White appeared on ‘The Price is Right’ before becoming an iconic part of ‘Wheel of Fortune’

The episode in question aired on June 20, 1980, and among the first four Price is Right contestants that day was none other than White. Among the game show’s many “come on down” moments, one of the most fun definitely involved her as a younger White headed down to Contestant’s Row.

RELATED: Vanna White On Why She Doesn’t Consider Herself A ‘Sex Symbol’

Back then, White’s signature head of blonde hair was a bit darker and in place of her signature revolving wardrobe of evening gowns that would be so famous on Wheel of Fortune, contestant White wore a T-shirt reading, “Get Serious.” These days, Drew Carey hosts the game program; back when White participated, Bob Barker ran the show.

It was also Barker who made a teasing comment about White’s shirt, noting how a crew member backstage saw the shirt’s writing. “And he said, ‘I am… I am,'” Barker told White. “I thought you’d like to know that.”

Many big anniversaries for Vanna White and ‘The Price is Right’

White was treated to a walk down memory lane. Back in September 2021, The Price is Right celebrated its 50th anniversary, ushering in this festive occasion with tons of videos from its history, and of course, White featured prominently thanks to her stardom on Wheel of Fortune.

In fact, White was even among the list of celebrity guests for the modern-day celebration. She brought with her a surprising reality of her big appearance on the game show. “I didn’t win a doggone thing,” she recalled.

Fortunately, just a few years later, she did win a steady gig with Wheel of Fortune that’s lasted her so long that last year, she celebrated 40 years as co-host.

“I remember Pat [Sajak] telling me after I got the job he said, ‘I didn’t really think you would get the job because you were so nervous,'” revealed White. “But I did. I got it, and 39 years later, we’re a great team. We work together, we’ve never had one argument.”

Check out the nostalgic moment in the video below!