View source for List of Jeopardy! contestants

{{short description|Notable contestants}}
{{Italic title|string=Jeopardy!}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2012}}
''[[Jeopardy!]]'' is an American television game show. Its format is a quiz competition in which contestants are presented with general-knowledge clues in the form of answers and must phrase their responses as questions. Many contestants in the show's history have received significant media attention because of their success on ''Jeopardy!'', particularly [[Brad Rutter]], who has won the second highest total prize money on the show (after Ken Jennings) and was undefeated by a human until 2011; [[James Holzhauer]], who holds several of the show's highest overall daily scores; and [[Ken Jennings]], [[Amy Schneider]], and [[Matt Amodio]], who have the top three longest winning streaks. Other contestants have been better known for their accomplishments elsewhere, such as [[John McCain]], a one-day champion in 1965 who later became a [[U.S. senator]] and the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 Republican presidential nominee]].

== 1964–1979 ==

===Terry Thompson===
'''Terry Thompson''', a housewife and alumna of [[Swarthmore College]], was the first Tournament of Champions winner.<ref name="JSummary"/> She won $8,590 over the course of her run on ''Jeopardy!'', including $5,080 during her main run and $3,510 (plus a vacation to the [[United States Virgin Islands|Virgin Islands]]) in the tournament. Thompson noted that her husband was initially wary of her participating in a televised quiz show, as it had been only six years since the [[1950s quiz show scandals|quiz show scandals]] had tarnished the medium's reputation.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://media.swarthmore.edu/bulletin/?p=1243 | access-date=2014-08-18 |date=December 1967 | title=A garbage-can Memory Produces a CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS|work=Swarthmore College Bulletin}}</ref>

===Burns Cameron===
'''Burns Cameron''',<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-25 |title=Obituary: Burns Elliott Cameron |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2023/06/25/obituaryburns-elliott-cameron-2/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Press Herald}}</ref> billed as "a businessman from [[Larchmont, New York]]" during his original run and "a realtor from [[Standish, Maine]]" on his 1990 appearance, won $11,110 in his appearances on ''Jeopardy!'', including a then-record five-game total of $7,070 in December 1965. Cameron won the third annual [[Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions|Tournament of Champions]] in 1966, in which he won $4,040. Cameron also appeared on the 2,000th episode in 1972, an all-time-best game in which he faced Elliot Shteir and Jane Gschwend, two 1969 contestants who had surpassed his total in their five-day runs. He finished second and won $700 for charity. Cameron is cited as one of the best players of the [[Art Fleming]] era of the show.<ref name="jeopardybook">[[Alex Trebek]] and Peter Barsocchini, ''The Jeopardy! Book'' ([[HarperPerennial]], 1990), p. 129: "When you survey ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' contestants, fans, producers, and staff on the subject of the best players ever seen on the show, two names continually emerge: Burns Cameron from the original show and Chuck Forrest from the new show."</ref> In 1990, when ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' creator [[Merv Griffin]] produced ''[[Super Jeopardy!]]'', a separate weekly prime time network version based on the [[Alex Trebek|Trebek]] version of ''Jeopardy!'' to air Saturday nights in the summer on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], he invited Cameron to compete as the only player from the Fleming era. Cameron competed in the fifth quarterfinal game, where he finished second (by one point) and won $5,000.<ref>{{cite book | last=Eisenberg | first=Harry | edition= first | title=Inside "Jeopardy!": What Really Goes on at TV's Top Quiz Show | year=1993 | publisher=Northwest Publishing Inc. | location=Salt Lake City, Utah | isbn=1-56901-177-X | pages=270–271 | quote=And so nine additional invitations went out including one to Burns Cameron, the biggest-ever money winner on the old 'JEOPARDY!' whom Merv thought it would be a good idea to have as well. }}</ref>

===John McCain===

{{main|John McCain}}
[[U.S. senator]] and 2008 presidential candidate [[John McCain]] was a one-day champion in 1965 before serving in the [[Vietnam War]], spending five and a half years as a [[Prisoner of war|POW]], and later becoming a senator from [[Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-06-30-2937395846_x.htm|title=McCain recalls loss on ''Jeopardy!'' |last=Fouhy |first=Beth |work=[[USA Today]] |date=June 30, 2008 |access-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref>

===Red Gibson===

{{main|Hutton Gibson}}
[[Hutton Gibson|Hutton "Red" Gibson]] won the 1968 Tournament of Champions.<ref name="JSummary">Many episodes of the [[Art Fleming]]–era of ''Jeopardy!'' do not survive. The shows featuring Terry Thompson, Hutton "Red" Gibson and Jay Wolpert are among these lost episodes. However, records indicating Gibson's and Wolpert's appearances may be found in the NBC Master Books daily broadcast log, available on microfilm at the [[Library of Congress]] Motion Picture and Television Reading Room. A summary of those records may be found here [http://boards.sonypictures.com/boards/showthread.php?t=35065] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119144733/http://boards.sonypictures.com/boards/showthread.php?t=35065|date=January 19, 2008}}. Still photographs of Wolpert receiving the championship trophy also still exist, and Wolpert also says he has his Tournament of Champions final appearance on audiotape.</ref> Gibson later became a prominent [[sedevacantism|sedevacantist]] and conspiracy theorist. One of his sons is actor, director and producer [[Mel Gibson]].

===Jane Gschwend===
'''Jane Gschwend'''<ref>{{cite news |title=Jane Gschwend, October 15, 1997 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38974866/jane_gschwend_october_15_1997/ |newspaper=Intelligencer Journal |date=October 15, 1997 |page=15 |access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref> a high school dropout and homemaker from [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], held the record for the most money won in regular ''Jeopardy!'' play for the original series with her $8,250 total over five days.<ref name=daytimeinterview>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110831030104/http://theycallittrivia.blogspot.com/2007/11/prior-art.html "YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A GENIUS TO BE A CONTESTANT" "We Want Average Americans Who Are Aware of What's Going On"] from ''Daytime TV'' magazine, July 1974</ref> She was upset in the semifinal round of the 1969 Tournament of Champions<ref name="JSummary"/> but returned as part of the all-time best charity game on the 2000th episode in 1972, winning that game. Host [[Art Fleming]] cited Gschwend as an example of how a common person without traditional credentials could succeed at the game.<ref name=daytimeinterview/>

===Jay Wolpert===

{{main|Jay Wolpert}}
[[Jay Wolpert]] won the 1969 Tournament of Champions.<ref name="JSummary"/> He later became known as a game show producer, screenwriter, and occasional actor.

==1984–present==

===Jerry Frankel===
'''Jerry Frankel''', a musician and composer from [[Buffalo, New York]], was a five-time undefeated champion during Trebek's first season, winning $32,650. He became that version's first Tournament of Champions winner, earning the $100,000 grand prize by defeating Bruce Fauman and Steve Rogitz in the two-game final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=902 |title=J! Archive – Show #315, aired 1985-11-22|publisher=[[J! Archive]]|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>

=== Chuck Forrest ===

{{main|Chuck Forrest}}
[[Chuck Forrest]]<ref name="times">{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-29-tm-1565-story.html |title=Backstage At ''Jeopardy!''; Tune in for the nervous hopefuls, the hard-working researchers, the well-dressed host and the amazing winners on the smart set's favorite game show |last=Biederman |first=Patricia Ward |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 29, 1989 |access-date=August 24, 2010}}</ref> held the record for the largest non-tournament cash winnings total from 1985 to 1989, and the largest all-time winnings from 1986 to 1990. The show's producers regarded him as one of the best and most memorable contestants of the 1980s.<ref name="jeopardybook"/> Forrest is widely regarded by other elite ''Jeopardy!'' players as one of the most formidable contestants ever.<ref>[[Alex Trebek|Trebek]] & Barsocchini, p. 68: "The contestant everyone still remembers from the new version of the game is [[Chuck Forrest]], the 1985 Tournament of Champions winner. He was so good that he basically intimidated the other contestants in the tournament; you could hear them backstage talking about who might take second place, because they just about assumed Chuck would win it all."</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=How to Get on Jeopardy and Win! |last=Dupée|first=Michael|year=1998|publisher=[[Citadel Press]]|isbn=0806519916|page=36|quote="Mr. Forrest was so brilliant that he did not need to use much strategy to crush his opponents."}}</ref> He won five consecutive games from September 30 to October 4, 1985, winning a then-record $72,800 and qualifying for the 1986 Tournament of Champions, which he won, earning another $100,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=1292 |title=Chuck Forrest's Tournament of Champions Final |publisher=[[J! Archive]] |access-date=August 24, 2010}}</ref> Forrest later played in the ''Super Jeopardy!'' tournament, the [[Million Dollar Masters]] tournament, the [[Jeopardy! Ultimate Tournament of Champions|Ultimate Tournament of Champions]], and the [[Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades|Battle of the Decades]] tournament. He implemented a strategy known as the "Forrest Bounce" to confuse opponents: the strategy involved picking each clue from a different category instead of taking the clues in order. With [[Mark Lowenthal]], Forrest co-wrote the 1992 book ''Secrets of the Jeopardy! Champions''.<ref name=book>[[Chuck Forrest|Forrest, Chuck]] and [[Mark Lowenthal|Lowenthal, Mark]] (1992). ''Secrets of the Jeopardy Champions''. [[Grand Central Publishing]]. {{ISBN|978-0-446-39352-2}}, {{ISBN|0-446-39352-5}}.</ref>

=== Barbara Lowe ===
Barbara Lowe, a writer and researcher from [[Anaheim, California]], was a five-time undefeated champion during Trebek's second season, winning $35,192.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/123638567/the-sacramento-bee/|title=Game show glory|website=The Sacramento Bee|date=March 11, 1986|first=Clint|last=Swett|access-date=June 8, 2023|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=7563|title=Show #393 - Wednesday, March 12, 1986|website=J! Archive|date=December 16, 2022 |access-date=June 8, 2023}}</ref> However, she was disqualified from the show's second Tournament of Champions after it was revealed that she was ineligible and that she appeared on many different game shows (most notably ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'' in 1976, ''[[It's Anybody's Guess]]'' in 1977, ''[[Bullseye (1980 American game show)|Bullseye]]'' in 1981, and later ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (American game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire]]'' in 2003) and lied about her name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/1990/11/26/18893110/jeopardy-book-goes-behind-the-scenes|title='Jeopardy Book' Goes Behind the Scenes|website=Deseret News|date=November 26, 1990|first=Ed|last=Blank|access-date=June 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Inside Jeopardy! A Revealing Look Inside TV's Top Quiz Show|date=1993|first=Harry|last=Eisenberg|page=269|publisher=Northwest Publishing, Incorporated |isbn=1-56901-177-X}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gameshowforum.org/index.php?topic=6345.60|title=Uncomfortable moments with losing copntestants?|date=December 7, 2004|website=The Game Show Forum|access-date=June 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/180701132/|title=When women are in Jeopardy!|website=Courier-Post|date=September 13, 1987|access-date=June 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gameshownews.net/blockparty/102709.html|title=I See Stupid People|date=October 27, 2009|website=Game Show Newsnet|access-date=June 8, 2023}}</ref> Her winnings were withheld, and she sued [[Merv Griffin Enterprises]] and [[King World Productions]] for it, ultimately receiving her winnings, but was banned from appearing on any future tournaments on the show.<ref>{{cite book|title=Inside Jeopardy! A Revealing Look Inside TV's Top Quiz Show|year=1993|first=Harry|last=Eisenberg|page=268|publisher=Northwest Publishing, Incorporated |isbn=1-56901-177-X}}</ref> It was reported that during her games, she argued with [[Alex Trebek]] over incorrect answers.<ref>{{cite book|title=Inside Jeopardy! A Revealing Look Inside TV's Top Quiz Show|year=1993|first=Harry|last=Eisenerg|page=267|publisher=Northwest Publishing, Incorporated |isbn=1-56901-177-X}}</ref> In May 2023, Lowe would set the record straight on her appearance on the show, stating that during her second tape day, she developed a case of [[gastroenteritis]] which required the show to stop tape until she recovered. She also stated that Trebek told her she was costing the show time and money, and revealed that her stomach ailment had cost the program thousands of dollars that the show was trying to recoup by withholding her winnings.<ref name="Lowe">{{cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2023/5/2/23705821/jeopardy-lost-tapes-barbara-lowe-mystery-champion|title=The Search of the Lost 'Jeopardy!' Tapes Is Over. The Mystery Behind Them Endures.|date=May 2, 2023|first=Claire|last=McNear|website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]|access-date=June 8, 2023}}</ref> Her episodes were then withdrawn from release and were never re-run following their original airings.<ref name="Lowe"/> On December 15, 2022, Lowe's episodes were found by the ''National Archives of Game Show History'' from a longtime ''Jeopardy!'' fan's collection of 108 VHS cassettes of 896 episodes from the shows first seven seasons, and her games were subsequently added to the J! Archive.<ref name="Lowe"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzerblog.com/2022/12/15/the-jeopardy-archive-just-added-barbara-lowes-first-episode/|title=Who Is Barbara Lowe? The Web's Biggest Jeopardy! Episode Archive Just Added Barbara Lowe's First Episode And more are coming soon!|date=December 15, 2022|first=Cory|last=Anotado|website=Buzzer Blog|access-date=June 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=15028|title=Barbara Lowe|website=J! Archive|access-date=June 8, 2023}}</ref>

===Richard Cordray===

{{main|Richard Cordray}}
[[File:Richard Cordray official portrait.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Richard Cordray]]]]
[[Richard Cordray]] was a five-time ''Jeopardy!'' champion in 1987, who appeared in the 1987 Tournament of Champions while still serving as a [[law clerk]]. Cordray parlayed his success on ''Jeopardy!'' into political office, serving as an [[Ohio General Assembly|Ohio State Legislator]], the [[Attorney General of Ohio]], and later the first director of the [[Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]]. He was a participant in the Battle of the Decades Tournament, but lost in his first match and declined the prize money due to his office.

===Mark Lowenthal===

{{main|Mark Lowenthal<!--#Jeopardy! appearances-->}}
[[Mark M. Lowenthal]] was an undefeated five-time champion in 1988 and won the 1988 [[Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions|Tournament of Champions]].<ref>[http://www.masygroup.com/board/dr-mark-m-lowenthal.html Dr. Mark M. Lowenthal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107010745/http://www.masygroup.com/board/dr-mark-m-lowenthal.html |date= January 7, 2011 }}, The Masy Group website, accessed August 20, 2010</ref> He also appeared on ''Super Jeopardy!'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?player_id=1917|title=Mark Lowenthal|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |access-date= December 15, 2016}}</ref> the Ultimate Tournament of Champions, winning $5,000 after losing his first game, and the [[Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades|''Jeopardy!'' Battle of the Decades]], beating [[Frank Spangenberg]] in his initial game. Lowenthal is the co-author (with Season 2 record-setting five-time champion and Tournament of Champions winner [[Chuck Forrest]]) of the 1992 book ''Secrets of the Jeopardy! Champions'', and has also written a college textbook on intelligence and national security.<ref name=book />

===Eric Newhouse===
'''Eric Newhouse''' first appeared on ''Jeopardy!'' when he won the 1989 Teen Tournament. He was both a semifinalist in the 1989 Tournament of Champions and ''Super Jeopardy!'' After winning the 1998 Teen Reunion Tournament, Newhouse was invited to the Million Dollar Masters, where he placed second overall to [[Brad Rutter]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/sioux-cityan-cashes-in-on-jeopardy/article_ed84c525-ffbc-5b23-b700-b4c869ae1ed4.html |title=Sioux Cityan cashes in on Jeopardy |first=Jim |last=Jenkins |newspaper=[[Sioux City Journal]]|date=2002-05-04}}</ref> Newhouse was one of nine players to advance directly to the second round of the Ultimate Tournament of Champions, but lost his initial game.

===Tom Cubbage===
'''Tom Cubbage''' is the only contestant in ''Jeopardy!'' history to win both the show's [[Jeopardy! College Championship|College Championship]] and the Tournament of Champions. Cubbage became the first ever winner of the College Championship in May 1989, winning $26,600. In November of that year, he was the $100,000 grand prize winner of the 1989 Tournament of Champions. He also appeared on ''Super Jeopardy!'' in 1990, and earned $5,000 for appearing as a quarterfinalist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=309&highlight=Tom+Cubbage |publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Tom Cubbage}}</ref> 15 years later, in 2005, Cubbage competed in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions. In the first round, he lost his game, finishing second to [[Bob Harris (writer)|Bob Harris]].<ref name="j-archive.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=151 |publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #4712, aired February 15, 2005}}</ref> In 2014, Cubbage returned to ''Jeopardy!'' to compete in the show's Battle of the Decades. In his first game of the tournament, he defeated fellow ''Jeopardy!'' alumni Verini and [[Jerome Vered]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=4421|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #6770, aired February 7, 2014}}</ref> Cubbage lost his second game to [[Ken Jennings]], but he finished the game with $19,500, allowing him to secure a wild-card spot in the next round.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=4499|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #6834, aired May 8, 2014 |date=July 11, 2015 }}</ref> In the semifinals, Cubbage lost again, finishing third behind Leszek Pawlowicz and eventual tournament winner [[Brad Rutter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=4502|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #6837, aired May 13, 2014}}</ref>

===Bob Blake===
'''Bob Blake''', an actuary from [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, appeared on Jeopardy in September 1989, won all five games, and broke Forrest's five-day record with $82,501. Because Blake's winnings exceeded the then-limit of $75,000, $7,501 of his winnings were donated to his selected charity, [[Oxfam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=277<!--different url than below-->|title=J! Archive – Bob Blake|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |access-date= December 15, 2016}}</ref> He also competed in ''Super Jeopardy!'',<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=3972<!--different url than above/below-->|title=J! Archive – Bob Blake|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |access-date= December 15, 2016}}</ref> in which he was a semifinalist. He won the 1990 Tournament of Champions, earning $100,000.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=1425<!--different url than above-->|title=J! Archive – Bob Blake|publisher=[[J! Archive]]|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref> He also competed in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions in 2005. He was initially invited to compete in the Battle of the Decades tournament but declined because of conflicts with international travel.

===Ed Toutant===
'''Ed Toutant''' appeared on ''Jeopardy!'' in October 1989, winning one episode and $11,401. He later assisted [[IBM]] in programming [[Watson (computer)|Watson]] to prepare for the ''Jeopardy! IBM Challenge''. Toutant was better known for his appearance on another game show, ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (American game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire]]'', in which he won the show's grand prize, a progressive jackpot of $1,860,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2018/11/16/millionaire-quiz-whiz-toutant-had-passion-for-trivia-austins-arts-scene/8353670007/|title=Quiz whiz Toutant shared passion for trivia, theater|first=Maria|last=Mendez|website=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref>

===Frank Spangenberg===

{{main|Frank Spangenberg}}
Lieutenant [[Frank Spangenberg]] garnered fame in 1990 when he set the five-day cumulative winnings record, becoming the first person to win more than $100,000 in five days on the show.<ref>{{cite news |title=Final 'Jeopardy!' For Ace City Cop |url= http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2005/05/19/2005-05-19_final__jeopardy___for_ace_ci.html |quote= Spangenberg, 47, came up short in the TV quiz show's "Ultimate Tournament of Champions" semifinal round, losing to Los Angeles screenwriter Jerome Vered. ... In 1990, Spangenberg won more than $100,000 on "Jeopardy!" |work=[[New York Daily News]] |date=May 19, 2005 |access-date=October 4, 2010 }} {{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He has been called one of the "veritable legends" of the show.<ref>Elber, Lynn. [[Associated Press]]. "[https://archive.today/20120714223024/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x74aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l0UEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6527,820085&dq=frank-spangenberg+jeopardy&hl=en Book details joy of 'Jeopardy!'"]. ''[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]''. October 11, 2006. 8B.</ref> He was also the first to exceed $30,000 (winning $30,600) in a single day.

At the time a member of the [[New York City Transit Police]] Department (now the Transit Bureau of the [[New York City Police Department]]), Spangenberg won $102,597 in five days. Until 2003, winners were retired after five consecutive victories and due to a winnings cap in place at the time, Spangenberg kept $75,000 of his winnings and donated the remaining $27,597 to the Gift of Love Hospice, a facility operated by the [[Missionaries of Charity]].

Until 2019, the $102,597 record stood as the all-time net five-day record because of 2001 changes to clue values and the 2003 abolition of the five-day limit. The only contestant to date to beat Spangenberg's record is [[James Holzhauer]], who won $298,687 in his first five games.<ref>[http://www.jeopardy.com/video/championupdates JEOPARDY.com Champion updates] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120903140944/http://www.jeopardy.com/video/championupdates|date=September 3, 2012}}. See [[Frank Spangenberg]]'s "Extended champ's story" at the ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' website.</ref>

Spangenberg also won ''Jeopardy!''{{'s}} [[list of Jeopardy! tournaments and events|10th Anniversary Tournament]] in 1993, winning $41,800,<ref>{{cite news |title=After the Headlines; Fame, Fleeting Fame, Found These New Yorkers. Then What Happened? |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/27/nyregion/after-headlines-fame-fleeting-fame-found-these-new-yorkers-then-what-happened.html?pagewanted=4 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 27, 1998 |access-date=October 19, 2010 }}</ref> and previously appeared in the 1990 Tournament of Champions and ''Super Jeopardy!'' earlier that year. He later competed in the 2002 [[Million Dollar Masters]] tournament, the 2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions and the 2014 [[Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades|Battle of the Decades]] tournament.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

===Jerome Vered===

{{main|Jerome Vered}}
[[Jerome Vered]] appeared on ''Jeopardy!'' in 1992 and won $96,801 as a five-day champion, retiring undefeated. His total winnings at the time were second only to Spangenberg's $102,597. During that run, he shattered the one-day record for dollar winnings, earning $34,000 in one episode.<ref name=latimes>Wharton, David. "And the Question Is ... Will a Studio City Writer Top the 'Jeopardy!' Winnings Total Tonight?". ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. May 22, 1992. p. 19A.</ref> After his run, Vered returned for the 1992 Tournament of Champions, finishing third.<ref name=seattle>de Turenne, Veronique. "Jeopardy winners say it's nice work if you can get it". ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]''. November 27, 1992. p. 39.</ref> In the 2005 Jeopardy! Ultimate Tournament of Champions, Vered won five games to advance to a three-game final match against fellow ''Jeopardy!'' legends [[Ken Jennings]] and [[Brad Rutter]]. He finished in third place, earning $250,000.<ref>{{cite news |author-link=Lawrence Van Gelder |first=Lawrence |last= Van Gelder|title=Arts, Briefly: 'Jeopardy!' Titans Battle |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0810F93B5D0C748EDDAC0894DD404482 |quote=Mr. Jennings's second-place finish paid him $500,000, and the third place finisher, [[Jerome Vered]], received $250,000. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 27, 2005 |access-date= October 4, 2010 }}</ref> He competed in the 2014 Battle of the Decades, losing to Tom Cubbage.

===Ryan Holznagel===
'''Ryan "Fritz" Holznagel''' is the editor-in-chief of Who2 Biographies and the winner of the 1995 Tournament of Champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who2.com/about-who2/|title=About Who2 Biographies |access-date=January 19, 2018}}</ref> He also represented the U.S. at the show's first ever Olympic tournament in 1996. Holznagel later participated in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions in 2005, and in the Battle of the Decades in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=8948 |publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Fritz Holznagel|access-date=January 19, 2018}}</ref> While not competing, he realized that Jeopardy success largely comes down to how well a player is able to use the signaling device to ring in. Using this knowledge, he created a reaction time website and employed various methods, such as coffee and light exercise, to take his reaction time from an average 228 milliseconds to a superhuman 126 milliseconds. He published all his findings in a manifesto named Secrets of the Buzzer in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secrets of the Buzzer: A manifesto on buzzer speed for … |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26811252-secrets-of-the-buzzer |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Goodreads |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McNear |first=Claire |date=2020-08-11 |title=Can You Hack the Jeopardy! Buzzer? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/08/how-does-the-jeopardy-buzzer-work-jeopardy-book-excerpt.html |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Vulture |language=en}}</ref>

===Michael George Dupée===

[[File:Mike Award Photo 1 31 19.jpg|thumb|upright|Michael George Dupée]]
Michael George Dupée originally appeared on ''Jeopardy!'' in 1996, and won the Tournament of Champions that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=338&highlight=Michael+Dupée|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Michael Dupée}}</ref> In 2005, Dupée participated in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions. He won his first match,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=162|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #4717, aired February 22, 2005}}</ref> but lost to Robert Slaven in the second.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=284|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #4760, aired April 22, 2005}}</ref> Nine years later, in 2014, Dupée competed in the Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades tournament, where he was defeated by [[Brad Rutter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=4442|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #6790, aired March 7, 2014}}</ref>

Dupée's total winnings on ''Jeopardy!'' are $203,901,{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} including $66,401 won during his original five-day run;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeopardy.com/showguide/halloffame/50kplus/ |title=Jeopardy! Hall of Fame: $50,000 Plus Winners |access-date=July 30, 2014 |work=[[Jeopardy!]] |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140314084333/http://www.jeopardy.com/showguide/halloffame/50kplus |archive-date= March 14, 2014 }}</ref> $100,000 for winning the 1996 Tournament of Champions; $32,500 from the Ultimate Tournament of Champions; and $5,000 from the show's Battle of the Decades. Jennings praised Dupée's book, ''How to Get on Jeopardy! and Win!'', claiming it was the best preparation for competing on ''Jeopardy!''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/ken-jennings-jeopardy-watson-computers-buzz-faster-2011-3 |title= Interview of Ken Jennings |work=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> In the book, which he wrote after his success on ''Jeopardy!'', Dupée wrote about his experience on the show and provided practice clues for aspiring contestants.<ref name="Dupée">{{cite book|title=How to Get on Jeopardy and Win! |last=Dupée|first=Michael |author-link=Michael George Dupée|year=1998|publisher=[[Citadel Press]]|isbn=0806519916}}</ref>

===Karl Coryat===

{{main|Karl Coryat}}
[[Karl Coryat]] was a two-day champion on the show in 1996.<ref>{{Citation | last = Hartill | first = Lane | title = Masters of Quiz-Show Prep | newspaper = Christian Science Monitor| date = March 27, 2001 | url = http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/0327/p14s1.html | access-date = December 2, 2012}}</ref> His name was given to the ''Coryat score'', an [[analytics]] measurement of a contestant's ability to answer questions alone, without factoring in wagers on Daily Doubles or Final Jeopardy!.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/04/james-holzhauer-jeopardy-1-million-win-or-lose/587878/|title=James Holzhauer Explains the Strategy Behind His Jeopardy Winning Streak|first=Joe|last=Pinsker|work=The Atlantic|date=April 24, 2019|access-date=April 24, 2019}}</ref>

===Arthur Phillips===

{{main|Arthur Phillips}}
[[File:ArthurPhillips.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Arthur Phillips]]]]
American novelist [[Arthur Phillips]] appeared on ''Jeopardy!'' in 1997. According to his biography, Phillips was a 5-time undefeated champion,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.arthurphillips.info/Bio.html|title=Arthur Phillips: Biography|author-link=Arthur Phillips|first=Arthur |last=Phillips}}</ref> winning $63,003 in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=2419&highlight=Arthur+Phillips|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Arthur Phillips}}</ref> He competed in the 1998 Tournament of Champions, but lost his quarterfinal match to [[Jeopardy! Teen Tournament|Teen Tournament]] winner Sahir Islam.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=1186|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #3099, aired February 5, 1998}}</ref> In 2005, Phillips competed in the Jeopardy! Ultimate Tournament of Champions. He won his first match, winning $8,800 (which was bumped to $15,000),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=146 |publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #4710, aired February 11, 2005}}</ref> and lost his second, finishing behind Eric Terzuolo and former [[Jeopardy! College Championship|College Championship]] winner Pam Mueller.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gameshownewsnet.com/prime/ultimatejeopardy/050205.html|title=Game Show NewsNet - Jeopardy! Ultimate Tournament of Champions|website=www.gameshownewsnet.com}}</ref>

===Bob Harris===

{{main|Bob Harris (writer)|l1=Bob Harris}}
[[Bob Harris (writer)|Bob Harris]] is a multi-time contestant on ''Jeopardy!''<ref>{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Bob|author-link=Bob Harris (writer)|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/opinion/06harris.html?scp=2&sq=&st=nyt |title=Six Degrees of Trivia and Knowledge|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 5, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showplayerstats.php?player_id=8950|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Bob Harris}}</ref> Harris first appeared as a contestant in 1997 and won $58,000 as an undefeated five-time champion. The next year, he finished third in the Tournament of Champions, behind Kim Worth and Dan Melia. In the first round of the [[Jeopardy! Million Dollar Masters|''Jeopardy!'' Million Dollar Masters]] tournament in 2002, Harris scored an upset victory over Rachael Schwartz and [[Frank Spangenberg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=546|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #4078, aired May 1, 2002}}</ref> He lost in the semifinals to Eric Newhouse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=557|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #4083, aired May 8, 2002}}</ref> In 2005, Harris competed again on the show, this time in the ''Jeopardy!'' Ultimate Tournament of Champions. He won $24,400 and defeated fellow ''Jeopardy!'' alumni Frank Epstein and Tom Cubbage in Round 1,<ref name="j-archive.com"/> but lost in Round 2 to Bruce Borchardt and Michael Daunt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gameshownewsnet.com/prime/ultimatejeopardy/041805.html|title=Game Show NewsNet - Jeopardy! Ultimate Tournament of Champions|website=www.gameshownewsnet.com}}</ref> In 2014, Harris competed in the Battle of the Decades. In his match, he finished third, behind Shane Whitlock and Robin Carroll.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=4440|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Show #6788, aired March 5, 2014}}</ref>

Harris wrote a book about his experiences on ''Jeopardy!'', ''Prisoner of Trebekistan.''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prisoner-of-trebekistan-bob-harris/1111614836?ean=9780307351500|title=Prisoner of Trebekistan|author-link=Bob Harris (writer)|first=Bob|last=Harris|access-date=August 13, 2014}}</ref> He has competed on other game shows. In 2000, he participated in a million-dollar winning team on ''[[Greed (game show)|Greed]]'', winning $200,000 for himself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://triviahalloffame.com/|title=Play Trivia Online @ Trivia Hall Of Fame!|website=Trivia Hall of Fame}}</ref> He was also a successful $250,000 phone-a-friend for a contestant on ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oKuLUjKXp0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/7oKuLUjKXp0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Bob Harris gives the fastest Millionaire Phone-A-Friend answer ever|via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Eddie Timanus===

{{main|Eddie Timanus}}
[[Eddie Timanus]] was the first blind contestant to compete on the show, appearing in October 1999.<ref name="jackman">{{cite news|last=Jackman|first=Tom|title=1st Blind Player Wins Big on 'Jeopardy!'|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 24, 1999|page=C.01}}</ref> He won five consecutive games—the limit at that time—and earned $69,700 and two cars. He subsequently appeared in the Million Dollar Masters, the Ultimate Tournament of Champions, and the Battle of the Decades.

===Brad Rutter===

{{main|Brad Rutter}}
[[Brad Rutter]] is the biggest all-time money winner on ''Jeopardy!'' and briefly held the record for biggest cumulative game show winnings for any U.S. game show contestant. Rutter retained the record for ''Jeopardy!'' winnings with either $4,255,102 (or $4,270,102, including a pair of [[Chevrolet Camaro]]s). He became a five-day undefeated champion on ''Jeopardy!'' in 2000, with a total of $55,102. He subsequently won four ''Jeopardy!'' tournament titles: the 2001 Tournament of Champions,<ref>Stauffer, Cindy. "Manheim Twp. man back in 'Jeopardy!' in Million Dollar Masters Tournament". ''[[Lancaster New Era]]''. May 1, 2002. B4.</ref> the 2002 Million Dollar Masters Tournament, the 2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions,<ref name=bill>Toland, Bill. "A: He beat the best. Q: Who is Brad Rutter?" ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]''. May 27, 2005. A1.</ref> and the 2014 Battle of the Decades.

In 2020, his undefeated streak ended when he finished third in the ''[[Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time]]'' tournament, losing to Jennings and Holzhauer by a final score of 3–1–0.

===Pam Mueller===
'''Pam Mueller''' is a former winner of the College Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/11/12/answer-loyola-student-pam-mueller/ |title= Answer: Loyola student Pam Mueller, Page 1|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 12, 2001|access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/11/12/answer-loyola-student-pam-mueller/|title=Answer: Loyola student Pam Mueller, Page 2|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date= November 12, 2001|access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref> She participated in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=426|publisher=[[J! Archive]] |title=Pam Mueller}}</ref> advancing all the way to the Sweet Six round before losing her match, finishing behind [[Frank Spangenberg]] and [[Jerome Vered]]. In 2014, Mueller competed in the show's ''Battle of the Decades''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYH8Xew-g98 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/UYH8Xew-g98 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades, 1990s contestants: Pam Mueller|via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The story about her first match in this tournament, which saw her compete against fellow ''Jeopardy!'' champions Dan Melia and Ryan (Fritz) Holznagel, was featured on Who2 Biographies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.who2.com/blog/2014/03/inside-the-brain-of-a-jeopardy-contestant |title=Inside the Brain of a Jeopardy! Contestant|publisher=Who2 Biographies|access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref>

===Ken Jennings===

{{main|Ken Jennings}}
[[File:Ken Jennings cropped retouched.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Ken Jennings]]]]

[[Ken Jennings]] first appeared on ''Jeopardy!'' on June 2, 2004, shortly after producers of the show eliminated the five-show cap for contestants. Because the five-game limit was removed, Jennings continued to win and eventually broke the winnings record set by Tom Walsh, who had won $186,900 in 2004.

Jennings set a record of 74 wins before he was defeated by Nancy Zerg in his 75th appearance. His total winnings from the program amount to $3,022,700, which includes $2,522,700 won in his initial appearances and an additional $500,000 for his second-place finish in the ''Jeopardy!'' Ultimate Tournament of Champions. In addition, at the end of Season 20, he set a one-day record of $75,000, which was later broken by Roger Craig, and even later by James Holzhauer.<ref>[http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=661 Ken Jennings player page] [[J! Archive]].{{verify source|date=December 2010}}</ref>

During his first run of ''Jeopardy!'' appearances, Jennings earned the record for the [[Adam Rose (game show contestant)|highest American game show winnings]]. His total was later surpassed by [[Brad Rutter]], who defeated Jennings in the finals of the Ultimate Tournament of Champions, adding $2,000,000 to his earlier ''Jeopardy!'' winnings. Jennings regained the record after appearing on several other game shows, including appearances on ''[[1 vs. 100 (American game show)|1 vs. 100]]'' and ''[[Grand Slam (American game show)|Grand Slam]]'', culminating in an appearance on ''[[Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? (American game show)|Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?]]'' in which he won $500,000. Rutter retained the ''Jeopardy!'' record by defeating Jennings in the finals of the Battle of the Decades tournament.

After his success on ''Jeopardy!'', Jennings wrote of his experience and explored American trivia history and culture in ''Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs'', published in 2006.

Jennings returned to ''Jeopardy!'' finishing runner-up to the Watson Supercomputer (splitting $300,000 with a charity) and again for the Battle of the Decades where he finished runner-up to Rutter again (winning $100,000). Jennings's total winnings amount to $3,422,700.

His team finished runner-up in the 2019 ''Jeopardy!'' All-Star Games relay tournament. In 2020, he won the ''[[Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time]]'' primetime event, which thus gave him his first Jeopardy tournament title and an additional $1,000,000 in winnings.

In September 2020, as host [[Alex Trebek]]'s pancreatic cancer progressed, Jennings became a consulting producer for ''Jeopardy!'', a role that included reading select on-air categories.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/jeopardy-ken-jennings-joins-show-as-producer/|title=Jeopardy! GOAT Ken Jennings joins show as producer|first=Tyler|last=Aquilina|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|date=September 3, 2020|access-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref> When Trebek died in November 2020, Jennings was named the first interim guest host of the program. His episodes began airing in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=2020-11-23|title=Jeopardy!: Ken Jennings to Succeed the Late Alex Trebek as First 'Guest Host'|url=https://tvline.com/2020/11/23/jeopardy-ken-jennings-new-guest-host-alex-trebek-replacement/|access-date=2020-11-23|magazine=[[TVLine]]|language=en-US}}</ref> In July 2022, Jennings became a permanent host of the show, along with [[Mayim Bialik]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/10/31/ken-jennings-jeopardy-host-interview/|title=Ken Jennings broke 'Jeopardy!' in 2004. In 2022, he helped save it.|first=Emily|last=Yahr|date=October 31, 2022|accessdate=December 12, 2022}}</ref> In January 2023, he was announced as the host of ''[[Jeopardy! Masters]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jeopardy-masters-abc-1235296708/|title=ABC Adds 'Jeopardy! Masters' to Unscripted Slate|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=January 11, 2023|first=Rick|last=Porter|access-date=January 12, 2023}}</ref> which premiered on May 8, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvinsider.com/1086657/abc-2023-premiere-dates-judge-steve-harvey-the-wonder-years/|title=ABC Sets Summer 2023 Premiere Dates, Including 'Jeopardy! Masters' & 'The Bachelorette'|website=[[TV Insider]]|date=March 24, 2023|first=Isaac|last=Rouse|access-date=March 31, 2023}}</ref> In December 2023, Jennings was named as the sole permanent host of ''Jeopardy!'' following Bialik's withdrawal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/mayim-bialik-exits-jeopardy-1235669885/|title=Mayim Bialik Out As ''Jeopardy!'' Host|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|author=Peter White|date=December 15, 2023|access-date=January 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/mayim-bialik-leaving-jeopardy-1235841706/|title=Mayim Bialik Won't Return as ''Jeopardy!'' Host|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|author=J. Kim Murphy|date=December 15, 2023|access-date=January 2, 2024}}</ref>

=== Nancy Zerg ===
'''Nancy Zerg''' defeated 74-day champion Ken Jennings on November 30, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dakss |first=Brian |date=2004-12-01 |title=The 'Jeopardy' Giant Slayer - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-jeopardy-giant-slayer/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> She was the first contestant to be called "a giant killer" despite losing the next day.

===David Madden===
{{main|David Madden (Jeopardy! contestant)}}

[[David Madden (Jeopardy! contestant)|David Madden]] won the fourth-highest number of games on ''Jeopardy!'' in non-tournament gameplay, winning 19 games and $432,400 between July 5 and September 19, 2005. As of April 2019, Madden ranked fourth in consecutive game wins (James Holzhauer, Julia Collins, and Ken Jennings) and also fifth in dollar winnings from regular games (Jennings, Holzhauer, Matt Amodio, and Jason Zuffranieri).<ref name="jephallfame">{{cite web |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Contestant Zone-Jeopardy! Hall of Fame|author=<!--Not stated-->|website=Jeopardy.com|publisher=Jeopardy! Productions, Inc.|access-date=April 30, 2019}}</ref> In the 2006 [[Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions|Tournament of Champions]], Madden won his first match<ref>{{Cite episode|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndication|number=4831|date=September 19, 2005|season=22}}</ref> (defeating the eventual winner of the Tournament, Michael Falk), but failed to win his second-round match,<ref>{{Cite episode|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndication|number=5002|date=May 16, 2006|season=22}}</ref> taking home a consolation prize of $10,000 and bringing his total to $442,400.<ref name=prince>{{cite news|title=Madden '03 wins big on 'Jeopardy'|url=http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2005/09/20/13129|quote=Until Monday, when Madden lost for the first time in 20 games, the 24-year-old alum held the title of reigning champion. He earned $430,400 in all, second only to Jennings, who earned more than $2.5 million over the course of 74 wins last year.|work=[[Daily Princetonian]]|date=September 25, 2005|access-date=October 4, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=nyt>{{cite news|title=I'll Take Quiz Kids For $600, Alex|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9806E0D91F30F93AA35753C1A9639C8B63|quote=By the time the episode on which he finally lost was broadcast last month, Mr. Madden had won 19 straight games – second only to Mr. Jennings – and his winnings came to $432,400. ... Mr. Madden was the captain of the Quiz Bowl team at Ridgewood High, and was on a similar freshman team at Princeton. When he comes home he says he plans to teach high school and perhaps enter politics. But his days as a quiz-show star are probably behind him|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 9, 2005|access-date=October 4, 2010|first=Robert|last=Strauss}}</ref> Madden was invited to take part in 2014's Battle of the Decades ''Jeopardy!'' event, but declined to participate due to contractual issues.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} However, he was invited and able to take part in its 2019 All-Star Games tournament, featuring 18 past champions. Madden was the seventh out of 12 picks in the All-Star Games Draft in September 2018, thus becoming a member of "Team [[Brad Rutter|Brad]]" along with his former Princeton University Quiz Bowl teammate [[Larissa Kelly]], the 6th pick in the draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 All-Star Games {{!}} Jeopardy.com |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/2019/all-star-games |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=jeopardy.com |language=en}}</ref> Team Brad won its first-round match and in the final episode, airing on March 5, 2019, won the All-Star Games Tournament grand prize of $1,000,000, which was split between the three team members.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2019/03/05/jeopardy-all-star-games-winner-team-brad-rutter-wins/|title = Jeopardy! Crowns a Winning Team in the First-Ever 'All-Star Games'|date = March 6, 2019}}</ref> After Madden's share of the prize was received, his all-time Jeopardy! earnings totaled $775,733.33, which as of March 2019 ranked third all-time behind Rutter and Jennings.

===Victoria Groce===
{{main|Victoria Groce}}

Victoria Groce defeated 19-day winner David Madden in 2005, and returned to ''Jeopardy!'' in 2024, winning the ''Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament'' and ''Jeopardy! Masters''.

===Larissa Kelly===

{{main|Larissa Kelly}}
[[Larissa Kelly]] won a total of $222,597 over six games and $1,000 third place consolation prize in her seventh game, with her last appearance airing May 28, 2008. At the time of her run on the program, Kelly was the highest-winning female contestant and ranked fifth in all-time in ''Jeopardy!'' earnings (excluding tournament winnings).<ref name=upi>{{cite news|title=Grad student makes 'Jeopardy!' history |url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/05/29/Grad-student-makes-Jeopardy-history/UPI-47681212090799 |quote=In addition to being the "winningest" female champion in the quiz show's 24 seasons, she also has become the third biggest money winner behind all-time "Jeopardy!" champ [[Ken Jennings]], who went home with $2.5 million, and [[David Madden (Jeopardy! contestant)|David Madden]], who won $430,400, representatives for the series said.|work=[[United Press International]]|date=May 29, 2008|access-date=2010-10-04}}</ref><ref>[http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2008/05/24/the_mighty_quinn/ Her winning way], ''[[The Boston Globe]]''{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name="contra">{{cite web|url= http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2008/05/27/cal-student-makes-history-on-jeopardy/|title=Cal student makes history on 'Jeopardy'|work=[[East Bay Times]]|date=May 27, 2008|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>

In addition to previously being the highest-winning female contestant in regular play, Kelly broke [[Ken Jennings]]'s record for most money won in five days by winning $179,797.<ref name="contra"/> Kelly is also the third-highest-winning female contestant in any single game in ''Jeopardy!'''s history, as her $45,200 performance<ref>{{cite web|title=Seven Days in May: Grad student Larissa Kelly asks the right questions and becomes the #3 winner in Jeopardy! history|url=https://grad.berkeley.edu/news/headlines/seven-days-in-may-grad-student-larissa-kelly-asks-the-right-questions-and-becomes-the-3-winner-in-jeopardy-history|work=[[University of California, Berkeley|Berkeley]]|date=March 18, 2009|access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> trails Maria Wenglinsky, who won $46,600 on November 1, 2005,<ref>{{Cite episode |series=Jeopardy! |network=Syndication |date=November 1, 2005 |season=22 |language=en |publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]] }}</ref> and Emma Boettcher, who won $46,801 on June 3, 2019, after upsetting long-running champion James Holzhauer.<ref>{{Cite episode |series=Jeopardy! |network=Syndication |date=June 3, 2019 |season=35 |language=en |publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]] }}</ref>

Kelly's husband and sister were also contestants. Her husband fell to Jennings and her sister to Aaron Schroeder, the victors being later finalists in the 2009 Tournament of Champions. She appeared again in the 2019 Jeopardy! All-Star Games team tournament with Madden on Rutter's winning team.

===Roger Craig===

{{main|Roger Craig (Jeopardy! contestant)|l1=Roger Craig}}
[[Roger Craig (Jeopardy! contestant)|Roger Craig]] set a then one-day ''Jeopardy!'' winnings record of $77,000 during his second appearance on the show in September 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/arts/television/16arts-RECORDSETONJ_BRF.html?_r=2|title=Record Set on Jeopardy!|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 15, 2010|access-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref> Craig won the Tournament of Champions the next year, and in the process set a then record for largest daily double (unadjusted) in ''Jeopardy!'' history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/16/roger-craigs-unbelievable_n_1097672.html|title=Roger Craig's Unbelievable Double Daily Doubles On "Jeopardy!" |work=Huffington Post|date=November 16, 2011|access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref>

He appeared again in the 2019 Jeopardy! All-Star Games relay tournament with 2013 Teen Tournament champion Leonard Cooper on Rogers's team.

===Watson===

{{main|Watson (computer)}}
[[Watson (computer)|Watson]] is a "deep question answering system" built by [[IBM]] to play ''Jeopardy!'' Watson was in a two-game, three-day exhibition match against [[Ken Jennings]] and [[Brad Rutter]] that aired February 14–16, 2011. Watson won the match with a total of $77,147.

===Colby Burnett===

{{main|Colby Burnett}}
[[Colby Burnett]] was the first ''Jeopardy!'' contestant to win both the Teachers Tournament and the Tournament of Champions. A teacher at [[Fenwick High School (Oak Park, Illinois)|Fenwick High School]] in [[Oak Park, Illinois]],<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.fenwickfriars.com/Page/1561|title=Colby Burnett|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011758/http://www.fenwickfriars.com/Page/1561|archive-date=September 24, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Burnett won the Teachers Tournament in November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://news.yahoo.com/video/oak-park-teacher-colby-burnett-223030861.html|title=Oak Park teacher Colby Burnett wins Jeopardy! Teachers Tournament|date=January 30, 2014 }}</ref> In February 2013, he won the show's Tournament of Champions, taking home the $250,000 grand prize.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suntimes.com/18497938-421/fenwick-teacher-wins-jeopardy-tournament-pockets-250000.html#.VGLE_r4-BhB|title=Fenwick teacher wins "Jeopardy!" tournament, pockets $250,000|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]}}</ref> He later appeared on season 3 of [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]]'s reality game show ''[[King of the Nerds]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbs.com/videos/king-of-the-nerds/season-1/extras/1437957/meet-colby.html|title=King of the Nerds, Season 3: Meet Colby|access-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123354/http://www.tbs.com/videos/king-of-the-nerds/season-1/extras/1437957/meet-colby.html|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Burnett is known for competing wearing oversized suits, sometimes with jackets that stretch all the way down to his knees.

Burnett appeared in the 2019 ''Jeopardy!'' All-Star Games tournament, with his team and finished third behind [[Brad Rutter]]'s and [[Ken Jennings]]'s teams.

===Arthur Chu===

{{main|Arthur Chu}}
[[File:Arthur Chu crop.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Arthur Chu]]]]
[[Arthur Chu]] first appeared on ''Jeopardy!'' on January 28, 2014, and almost immediately became a lightning rod because of his unusual playing style. His [[game theory]], "Forrest Bounce", and furious pressing of the signaling device made him one of the show's most controversial contestants. As of January 31, 2021, Chu ranks eighth on the list of all-time highest-earning ''Jeopardy!'' non-tournament champions,<ref>[http://stuarte.co/2015/all-time-jeopardy-winners/ "Top Ten List of Jeopardy! Winners (and Money Won) All-Time"]. Retrieved October 21, 2015.</ref> with an 11-day total of $297,200. His winning streak came to a close when he lost his 12th game but won $1,000 for finishing in third place, leaving him with a final total of $298,200. After his initial appearance on the show, Chu competed in the 2014 ''Jeopardy!'' Tournament of Champions, finishing second to Ben Ingram, an IT consultant from South Carolina. Chu won $100,000 for his second-place finish, bringing his overall winnings to $398,200.

===Julia Collins===

{{main|Julia Collins (Jeopardy! contestant)|l1=Julia Collins}}
[[Julia Collins (Jeopardy! contestant)|Julia Collins]] had the fifth-longest streak of consecutive victories, behind Ken Jennings, Amy Schneider, [[Matt Amodio]], and James Holzhauer, with 20 wins and $429,100, until Mattea Roach surpassed her wins total on May 3, 2022. She was the second person to win 20 games in a row. In the 2014 ''Jeopardy!'' Tournament of Champions she finished second in her quarterfinal game against Joshua Brakhage and 2013 College Champion Jim Coury, but reached the semifinals as a wild card. She then won her semifinal game, advancing to the finals, where she finished third, behind Ben Ingram and Arthur Chu.

Collins appeared again in the 2019 ''Jeopardy!'' All-Star Games relay tournament with Ben Ingram and Seth Wilson.

===Alex Jacob===

{{main|Alex Jacob}}
[[File:Alex Jacob 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Alex Jacob]]]]
[[Alex Jacob]], is a former professional poker player who lives in [[Chicago]], Illinois, and worked as a currency trader for the Gelber Group.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gelbergroup.com/video/gelber-trader-wins-6-jeopardy-episodes|title=Gelber trader wins 6 Jeopardy! episodes|access-date=December 9, 2015}}</ref> In 2015, Jacob won six games and the 2015 Tournament of Champions. In a Final Jeopardy round where Jacob did not need any additional money to win the game, he humorously wrote "What is [[Aleve]]?", mimicking the slogan of one of the show's regular advertisers.

Jacob appeared again in the 2019 ''Jeopardy!'' All-Star Games relay tournament with 2015 Teachers Tournament champion Jennifer Giles on Buzzy Cohen's team.

===Matt Jackson===

{{main|Matt Jackson (Jeopardy! contestant)|l1=Matt Jackson}}
[[Matt Jackson (Jeopardy! contestant)|Matt Jackson]], 13-time champion, surpassed Arthur Chu's 11-game winning streak with his 12th win on October 12, 2015. He has also beat Chu in regular season cash earnings with a total of $413,612.<ref name="tied chu">{{cite web | url= https://twitter.com/Jeopardy/status/652680008398344192 | title=Matt Jackson tied Arthur Chu's 11-game streak with his win today. Can he go for #12 Monday? | publisher=[[Twitter]] | date=9 October 2015 | access-date=9 October 2015}}</ref> He competed in the 2015 ''Jeopardy!'' Tournament of Champions, finishing second to [[Alex Jacob]].

Jackson appeared again in the 2019 ''Jeopardy!'' All-Star Games relay tournament alongside [[Ken Jennings]] and 2012 College Championship winner Monica Thieu.

===Buzzy Cohen===

{{main|Buzzy Cohen}}
'''Austin David "Buzzy" Cohen''', a recording industry executive from [[Los Angeles]], won $164,603 over nine games in April and May 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Anstey |first1=Evan|title=Confident 9-day Jeopardy! champion causes divide among viewers|url= http://wivb.com/2016/05/27/confident-9-day-jeopardy-champion-causes-divide-among-viewers/ |website=WIVB |date=May 27, 2016|access-date=27 May 2016}}</ref> Many of his victories were guaranteed victories, which allowed Cohen to wager nothing and use his final response to make jokes about [[Alex Trebek]], which earned him both praise and disdain from ''Jeopardy!'' fans.<ref>[http://www.thewrap.com/we-need-to-talk-about-buzzy-cohen-divisive-reigning-jeopardy-champ/ We need to talk about Buzzy Cohen, divisive reigning Jeopardy! champ]. ''TheWrap.com''. Retrieved May 25, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.buzzfeed.com/alivelez/how-to-troll-trebek-like-a-champ-for-800?bffb#.agdPKRQy1 People are losing their minds over this "Jeopardy!" champion]. ''[[BuzzFeed]]''. Retrieved May 25, 2016.</ref> He returned for the 2017 Tournament of Champions, which he won, collecting the grand prize of $250,000.

Cohen appeared again in the 2019 ''Jeopardy!'' All-Star Games relay tournament.

After Trebek's death, Cohen hosted the May 2021 ''Jeopardy!'' Tournament of Champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/jeopardy-tournament-of-champions-buzzy-cohen-guest-host-1234734585/|title=''Jeopardy!'' Taps Buzzy Cohen As Host For 2021 Tournament Of Champions|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|author=Alexandra Del Rosario|date=April 14, 2021|access-date=April 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://outsider.com/news/entertainment/jeopardy-tournament-of-champions-host-buzzy-cohen-poke-fun-alex-trebek-final-rounds/ |title= Jeopardy!': Tournament of Champions Host Buzzy Cohen Would Poke Fun at Alex Trebek in Final Rounds |date=May 18, 2021 |publisher=Outsider |access-date=May 18, 2021}}</ref>

===Seth Wilson===
'''Seth Wilson''' is a Ph.D. candidate and adjunct professor formerly from Chicago now from [[Nacogdoches, Texas]], who won $265,002 over 12 games in September and October 2016, making him the contestant with the fifth-highest number of consecutive wins in the show's history, beating [[Arthur Chu]]'s number of winning games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-jeopardy-seth-wilson-20161005-story.html |title=Did Former North Sider Seth Wilson Win His 13th Episode of 'Jeopardy?' |date=October 5, 2016 |first=Tracy |last=Swartz |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=October 5, 2016}}</ref> He later returned for the 2017 Tournament of Champions, but failed to win his first match, taking home a consolation prize of $5,000.

Wilson appeared again in the 2019 ''Jeopardy!'' All-Star Games relay tournament on Julia Collins's team with Ben Ingram.

===Cindy Stowell===
'''Cindy Stowell''' was a science content developer from [[Austin, Texas]], who was diagnosed with untreatable terminal [[colon cancer]] between passing the qualifying test and auditioning in person. A lifelong fan of the show, Stowell requested that producers rush her into taping as soon as possible because of her condition, a stipulation the producers honored. She was under pain management and experienced fever and stomachache throughout her run, during which she won $105,803 over six games, which she donated to cancer charities. Her fellow contestants were unaware of her illness. Stowell died eight days before her first episode aired, but did get to watch the first three of her episodes when producers provided her with an advance DVD.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/07/entertainment/jeopardy-contest-dies-trnd/index.html|title='Jeopardy!' contestant who died before show aired keeps win streak going|first=Keith|last=Allen|work=[[CNN]]|date=December 17, 2016|access-date=December 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Victor|first1=Daniel|title='Jeopardy!' Run Ends for Cindy Stowell, Cancer-Stricken Champion|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/us/-jeopardy-cindy-stowell-death.html?smid=tw-nytnational&smtyp=cur&_r=1|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 22, 2016 |access-date=22 December 2016}}</ref>

At the end of the ''Jeopardy!'' credits on December 21, 2016, [[Alex Trebek]] gave a tribute to Stowell and said, "For the past six ''Jeopardy!'' programs, you folks have been getting to know the talented champion Cindy Stowell. Appearing on our show was the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition. What you did not know is that when we taped these programs she was suffering from Stage IV cancer. And sadly, on December 5th, Cindy Stowell passed away. So from all of us here at ''Jeopardy!'', our sincere condolences to her family and her friends." This was followed by "IN MEMORIAM Cindy Stowell 2016."

===Austin Rogers===
'''Austin Tyler Rogers''' is a bartender from [[New York City]] who earned $445,000 over 13 shows in 2017. Described by one account as "[[Cosmo Kramer|Krameresque]]" and by Trebek himself as "outside the box, completely different from what many viewers expect a 'Jeopardy!' contestant to be,"<ref name="Cleveland Plain-Dealer">{{cite web|url= http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/10/lovable_genius_austin_rogers_r.html|title=Lovable genius Austin Rogers' reign on 'Jeopardy!' comes to an end|work=[[Cleveland Plain-Dealer]]|date=October 12, 2017 |access-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref> Rogers is known for his flair and quirky poses, pantomiming humorous actions when being introduced. Although he does not own a television set, he prepared for qualification by watching a lot of ''Jeopardy!'' episodes and knowing its tricks.<ref name="Neuman">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/05/555924260/jeopardy-champion-goes-viral-with-quirky-style-big-bets|title='Jeopardy!' Champion Goes Viral With Quirky Style, Big Bets |last=Neuman |first= Scott|work=[[NPR]]|date=October 5, 2017|access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Elkins">{{cite web|url= https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/06/bartender-wins-jeopardy-8-times-heres-what-hes-doing-with-his-300000-winnings.html |title=Bartender wins 'Jeopardy' 8 times—here's what he's doing with his $300,000 winnings |last= Elkins |first=Kathleen|work=[[CNBC]]|date=October 6, 2017|access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref> Before James Holzhauer, he was the only contestant with two of the top ten one-day totals: $69,000 on October 3, 2017 (third place) and $65,600 on October 2, 2017 (seventh place).<ref name="The Final Wager">{{cite web|url=http://thefinalwager.com/2015/04/02/jeopardy-high-scores/|title=The biggest one-day totals in Jeopardy! history|date=April 2, 2015|publisher=The Final Wager|access-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref> In the 2017 Tournament of Champions, Rogers finished third behind Buzzy Cohen and Alan Lin. All three finalists (including Seth Wilson) appeared at the ''Jeopardy!'' All-Star Games tournament relay in 2019. Rogers was also a contestant on ''[[Cash Cab (American game show)|Cash Cab]]''. He won $2,400 with one other rider doubling their winnings on the video bonus at the end of the trip.

===Paris Themmen===

{{Main|Paris Themmen}}
'''Paris Themmen''', a former child actor known for playing Mike Teevee in ''[[Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory]]'' (1971), appeared on ''Jeopardy!'' as a regular contestant on March 13, 2018, finishing in second place.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thejeopardyfan.com/2018/03/final-jeopardy-3-13-2018.html|title=Today's Final Jeopardy - March 13, 2018 – The Jeopardy! Fan|date=March 13, 2018|work=The Jeopardy! Fan|access-date=March 13, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Jackie Fuchs===

{{main|Jackie Fox}}
'''Jackie Fuchs''', an attorney and former musician who was a bassist for [[The Runaways]] under her stage name [[Jackie Fox]], appeared on ''Jeopardy!'' as a regular contestant in December 2018. She won four games, accumulating $87,089 in winnings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/runaways-jackie-fuchs-teen-musician-reigning-jeopardy-champ|title=Jackie Fuchs: From Musician To 'Jeopardy' Champ|date=2018-12-20|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=2019-01-02}}</ref>

===James Holzhauer===

{{main|James Holzhauer}}
[[File:JamesHolzhauerTheChase.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[James Holzhauer]]]]
'''James Holzhauer''', a professional [[sports betting|sports gambler]] from [[Las Vegas, Nevada]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/tv/las-vegas-sports-gambler-crushes-jeopardy-record-1637262/|title=Las Vegas sports gambler crushes 'Jeopardy!' record|first=Christopher|last=Lawrence|work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]|date=April 9, 2019|access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> and a native of [[Naperville, Illinois]],<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-jeopardy-naperville-native-st-0410-story.html|title=Naperville native sets new 'Jeopardy!' record for 1-day winnings with $110,914; 4-day streak continues|work=[[Naperville Sun]]|date=April 10, 2019|access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref> set the single-game ''Jeopardy!'' winnings record of $110,914 during his fourth appearance on the show in April 2019, beating the previous record of $77,000 held by [[Roger Craig (Jeopardy! contestant)|Roger Craig]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.thewrap.com/jeopardy-james-holzhauer-breaks-single-day-cash-winnings-record/|title='Jeopardy!' Contestant Destroys Show's Single-Day Cash Winnings Record|work=[[The Wrap]]|date=April 9, 2019|access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> He eclipsed his own record on April 17 with a final single-game total of $131,127. He holds the top 16 single-game winnings records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Hall of Fame {{!}} Jeopardy.com|website=www.jeopardy.com|access-date=2019-04-24}}</ref> At $25,000, he also exceeded Philip Tiu's prior record of $19,000 for largest successful Daily Double wager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbc26.com/news/national/jeopardy-champ-uses-unusually-large-wagers-to-victory|title=Jeopardy champ uses large wagers to win|work=[[WGBA-TV]]|date=March 16, 2016|access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-naperville-jeopardy-second-highest-st-0414-story.html#nt=oft02a-1la1|title=Naperville native's latest 'Jeopardy!' win is second-highest in a single day, bringing total to more than $400,000|work=[[Naperville Sun]]|date=April 12, 2019|access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> At $60,013, he exceeded his own prior record of $38,314 for largest successful Final Jeopardy wager of all time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-naperville-holzhauer-record-st-0418-story.html|title=Naperville native breaks single-day 'Jeopardy!' winning record — again — with $131K in winnings|work=[[Naperville Sun]]|date=April 17, 2019|access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref>

Before Holzhauer, the record for largest successful Final Jeopardy wager was $34,000, held by Austin Rogers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lxsKbvCZB6A |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/lxsKbvCZB6A |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Game 6: Austin Rogers' $69,000 Single Game Winnings JEOPARDY!|work=[[YouTube]]|access-date=April 20, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> His $298,687 total winnings across his first five days also surpassed the five-day record set in 1990 by [[Frank Spangenberg]] (when adjusted for the changes in the values of the clues)—the only contestant to do so. He is now the second-highest winning contestant in regular game (non-tournament) winnings, surpassed only by [[Ken Jennings]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/04/16/jeopardy-winner-contestant-james-holzhauer-ken-jennings-winnings/3482124002/|title='Jeopardy!' contestant James Holzhauer second only to legend Ken Jennings in winnings|work=[[USA Today]]|date=April 16, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> In addition to an aggressive wagering strategy, Holzhauer also goes for the highest values on the board first to amass his totals quickly, making it more difficult for his opponents to catch up, and increasing the money he has available to wager when he hits a Daily Double.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/jeopardy-winner-james-holzhauer-sets-sights-new-record-t152397|title=A Las Vegas pro gambler is rewriting the 'Jeopardy!' record book — here's how|first=Scott|last=Stump|work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]|date=April 18, 2019|access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref>

Holzhauer lost on June 3, 2019, to Emma Boettcher, making his 32 wins the fourth-longest streak in show history, and his total winnings of $2,462,216 the second-highest in regular-season play. He also had won the third-most money overall on the show as of June 6, 2019, and, [[American game show winnings records|counting winnings on all game shows, is third overall]] after winning the Tournament of Champions in a rematch with Boettcher.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thejeopardyfan.com/2019/06/final-jeopardy-6-3-2019.html|title=Today's Final Jeopardy – June 3, 2019|date=June 3, 2019|work=The Jeopardy! Fan|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> He then went on to participate in the ''[[Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time]]'' primetime event, winning one of four matches and finishing second overall behind Jennings.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keveney |first1=Bill |last2=Haas |first2=Susan |title=Ken Jennings is 'Jeopardy': Greatest of All Time winner |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/01/14/ken-jennings-jeopardy-greatest-all-time-winner/4469160002/ |website=USA Today|access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref>

Holzhauer has a Bachelor of Science in liberal arts & sciences major in mathematics<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/mathematics-bslas/|title=Mathematics, BSLAS|work=[[University of Illinois Board of Trustees]]|access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref> from the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]], where he graduated in 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2019/04/sports-gambler-james-holzhauer-aggressive-style-jeopardy-33890.htm|title=Professional Sports Gambler James Holzhauer's Aggressive Style Paying Off on Jeopardy!|work=[[PokerNews]]|date=April 12, 2019|access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref> Before his performance on ''Jeopardy!'', he was on two other television game shows: ''[[The Chase (American game show)|The Chase]]'' on September 2, 2014,<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GpkLLtvvijc|title=The Chase Jeopardy's James Holzhauer Plays Sept 2, 2014|work=[[YouTube]]|access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref> and ''[[500 Questions]]'' on May 22, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4703414/|title=500 Questions: Episode #1.3|work=[[IMDb]]|date=May 22, 2015|access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref> Of the two shows, he had the greater success on ''The Chase''. In the final ''Chase'' round (as team leader with two other contestants participating), he defeated [[Mark Labbett]] (''"The Beast"'') with a score of 26–9, splitting a prize of $175,000 with his team.<ref name="auto"/>

===Emma Boettcher===
'''Emma Boettcher''', a 27-year-old [[University of Chicago]] librarian, supplanted [[James Holzhauer]] as ''Jeopardy!'' champion on June 3, 2019, preventing him from surpassing the $2.52 million [[Ken Jennings]] earned during his 2004 winning streak. Boettcher was the highest-winning female contestant in any single game of ''Jeopardy!'' with $46,801, surpassing the $46,600 Maria Wenglinsky earned on November 1, 2005.<ref name=Emma /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-emma-boettcher-jeopardy-recap-20190605-story.html|title=Chicago librarian Emma Boettcher probably won't use her 'Jeopardy!' winnings to visit Rockford|first=Tracy|last=Swartz|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 5, 2019|access-date=June 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |series=Jeopardy! |network=Syndication |date=June 5, 2019 |season=35 |language=en |publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]] }}</ref> She won three games, for a total of $98,002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-emma-boettcher-jeopardy-recap-20190606-story.html|title=Did Chicago librarian Emma Boettcher extend her 'Jeopardy!' win streak?|first=Tracy|last=Swartz|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 6, 2019|access-date=June 6, 2019}}</ref> Boettcher's performance was unusual in that most contestants who upset a long-running champion finish in last place in their next episode. Only Jonathan Fisher (who defeated 38-game champion Matt Amodio) had greater success than Boettcher following the defeat of someone who had won more than 10 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/06/jeopardy-mega-champion-loss-history.html|title=What Happens After You Defeat a Jeopardy! Megachampion?|first=Devon|last=Ivie|work=Vulture|date=June 4, 2019|access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/contestants/jonathan-fisher-becomes-5-day-jeopardy-champion|title=Jonathan Fisher Becomes 5-Day Jeopardy! Champion &#124; J!Buzz &#124; Jeopardy.com|website=www.jeopardy.com}}</ref>

Boettcher said she would use her first-day winnings to pay off student loans and give back to the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science]], where she received her master's degree in information science in 2016. Her master's paper for that degree, "Predicting the Difficulty of Trivia Questions Using Text Features", relied on ''Jeopardy!'' clues.<ref name=Emma /> Boettcher received her bachelor's degree in English from Princeton in 2014. She has worked at the University of Chicago as a user experience resident librarian<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.carli.illinois.edu/user-experience-resident-librarian-university-chicago|title=User Experience Resident Librarian – University of Chicago|author=mjhuls|date=June 29, 2018|website=carli.illinois.edu|publisher=[[Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois]]|access-date=June 6, 2019}}</ref> since August 2016, with her focus on faculty and student experiences with the university's library services. She auditioned for the [[Jeopardy! College Championship|''Jeopardy!'' College Championship]] while at Princeton, but was not selected.<ref name=Emma>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-jeopardy-james-holzhauer-emma-boettcher-20190603-story.html|title=Meet Emma Boettcher, the University of Chicago librarian who just beat James Holzhauer on ''Jeopardy!''|first=Tracy|last=Swartz|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 3, 2019|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref>

Boettcher was granted a wild-card invitation to the 2019 Tournament of Champions, partly to set up a potential rematch with Holzhauer and partly because one of the automatic qualifiers, 2018 Teachers Tournament winner Larry Martin, died before reaching the tournament. Boettcher advanced to the finals of the tournament, landing a rematch with Holzhauer. She split the two-game final with him but lost by a larger margin in the first game, finishing as first runner-up with a $100,000 prize.<ref name=2019tocwin>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-james-holzhauer-jeopardy-final-tournament-day-st-1117-20191115-5t6sm3ovbbfuxo3tr4vo5x4o2y-story.html|title=Did James Holzhauer take the 'Jeopardy' Tournament of Champions crown? Or did Chicago librarian Emma Boettcher give him a run for the $250K prize?|first=Suzanne|last=Baker|work=Naperville Sun |location=Naperville, Illinois |publisher=Tribune Publishing|date=November 15, 2019|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref>

===Jason Zuffranieri===
'''Jason Zuffranieri''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|z|ʌ|f|r|ə|'|n|ɛər|iː}}), a 43-year-old<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/09/20/another-jeopardy-contestant-on-a-winning-streak|title=Another Jeopardy contestant on a winning streak|work=[[The Mercury News]]|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> math teacher<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/contestant-profiles/who-jason-zuffranieri|title=Who is Jason Zuffranieri?|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|access-date=September 17, 2019}}</ref> at [[Albuquerque Academy]] in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]],<ref name=Jason>{{cite news|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/1364844/abq-teacher-stars-wins-big-on-jeopardy.html|title=ABQ teacher stars, wins big on Jeopardy!|work=Albuquerque Journal|first=Celia|last=Raney|date=September 11, 2019|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> won 19 games in a row, with total winnings of $532,496. He lost his 20th game on September 26, 2019, to Gabe Brison-Trezise, who prevented him from accumulating enough money to have a guaranteed win going into Final Jeopardy. Brison-Trezise gave the correct response to Final Jeopardy while Zuffranieri did not, relegating him to second place and $2,000.<ref>{{Cite episode|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndication|date=September 24, 2019|season=36|language=en|publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]]}}</ref>

With his performance, Zuffranieri became the fourth-winningest contestant in regular-season play, and moved into fifth place for most consecutive games won, tied with Madden and behind only Jennings, Holzhauer, Matt Amodio and Julia Collins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Contestant Zone-Hall of Fame|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref>
 
Zuffranieri is originally from [[Depew, New York]], where much of his family still resides. He moved to Albuquerque during his childhood and was previously a rocket scientist before becoming a teacher.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/09/17/latest-long-running-jeopardy-champ-is-a-rocket-scientist-with-wny-roots/|title=Latest long-running 'Jeopardy!' champ is rocket scientist with WNY roots |first=Alan|last=Pergament|work=The Buffalo News|date=September 17, 2019|access-date=September 17, 2019}}</ref> He tried out for the show eight times before being selected to participate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/jeopardy-jason-zuffranieri-james-holzhauer-1461002|title=Who is Jason Zuffranieri? 'Jeopardy!' contestant is third highest regular season winner after James Holzhauer|first=Janice|last=Williams|work=[[Newsweek]]|date=September 24, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> He returned for the 2021 Tournament of Champions and became a wildcard semifinalist after contestant Ryan Bilger won in a runaway game, but lost the semifinal match to Jennifer Quail, thus taking home a $10,000 consolation prize.

===Jennifer Quail===
'''Jennifer Quail''', a [[wine tasting]] consultant and published author<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Quail/e/B006QA7DWQ%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share|title=Jennifer Quail|work=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]|access-date=December 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5421688.Jennifer_Quail|title=Jennifer Quail|work=[[Goodreads]]|access-date=December 17, 2019}}</ref> from [[Dowagiac, Michigan]], won $228,800 during her eight appearances on the show,<ref>{{Cite episode |series=Jeopardy! |network=Syndication |date=December 13, 2019 |season=36 |language=en |publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]] }}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=dPgOGozdaWI|title=Jennifer Quail's 8-Win Streak – JEOPARDY!}}</ref> making her the second-most successful female contestant in terms of money won and consecutive appearances in regular play – behind [[Julia Collins (Jeopardy! contestant)|Julia Collins]] and ahead of [[Larissa Kelly]]. She lost on her ninth appearance, finishing in second place, with a consolation prize of $2,000.<ref>{{Cite episode |series=Jeopardy! |network=Syndication |date=December 16, 2019 |season=36 |language=en |publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]] }}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=e1WmddIHHDk|title=Jennifer Quail's Last Game: Final Jeopardy! – JEOPARDY!}}</ref> Quail appeared in the 2021 Tournament of Champions, finishing as the first runner-up to winner Sam Kavanaugh.

=== MacKenzie Jones ===
'''MacKenzie Jones''', a program development director from [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]], won $204,808 in eight appearances on the show.<ref>{{Cite episode|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndication|date=February 26, 2020|season=36|publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Mackenzie Jones' 8-Game Streak {{!}} JEOPARDY!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKUKWAUfBq8|language=en|access-date=2020-03-03}}</ref> She was the fourth female contestant to win eight or more games and the fourth female contestant to win $200,000 or more in regular play. On her third appearance,<ref>{{Cite episode|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndication|date=February 19, 2020|season=36|publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]]}}</ref> Jones tied Boettcher's highest single-game total for a female contestant during regular play at $46,801, beating her opponent on that day by $1. She lost on her ninth appearance, finishing in second place, earning an additional $2,000. She returned for the 2021 Tournament of Champions, but failed to win her first match, taking home a consolation prize of $5,000.

=== Brayden Smith ===
'''Brayden Smith''', a policy intern from [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], won $115,798 in five appearances of the show.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_-dGhKp-aw |title=Brayden Smith's 5-Game Streak {{!}} JEOPARDY! |date=2021-01-05 |last=Jeopardy! |access-date=2021-01-06 |via=}}</ref> He was the final five-game champion of the Trebek era. Smith was known for his uncanny ability to find Daily Doubles as he found (and answered correctly) all nine Daily Doubles in the first three games of his run.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Kaitlin |date=2021-02-12 |title=Jeopardy! Champion Brayden Smith Dead at 24 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jeopardy-champion-brayden-smith-dead-201911120.html |access-date=2021-02-13 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moniuszko |first=Sara M. |date=December 18, 2020 |title=‘Jeopardy!’ contestant has fans nostalgic about late host Alex Trebek |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/12/18/jeopardy-winner-brayden-smith-has-fans-nostalgic-alex-trebek/3955384001/ |access-date=2021-01-01 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> On February 5, 2021, Smith died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 24,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levenson |first=Michael |date=2021-02-13 |title=Brayden Smith, Five-Time ‘Jeopardy!’ Champion, Dies at 24 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/arts/television/brayden-smith-dead.html |access-date=2021-02-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and his family set up a donation fund in his name, which ''Jeopardy!'' ended up donating to, as was revealed in the 2021 Tournament of Champions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aquilina |first=Tyler |date=2021-05-22 |title=Jeopardy pays tribute to late champion Brayden Smith, announces donation in his honor |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/jeopardy-pays-tribute-champion-brayden-000006828.html |access-date=2021-05-28 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-CA}}</ref>

=== Matt Amodio ===

{{main|Matt Amodio}}
Matt Amodio, a PhD student in [[computer science]] at [[Yale University]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/jeopardy-champion-matt-amodio-interview/ |last=Aquilina |first=Tyler |title=Jeopardy champion Matt Amodio on LeVar Burton, pop culture, and why he didn't want to try out for the show|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=July 31, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Weisholtz |first1=Drew |title=Current 'Jeopardy!' champion becomes 3rd-highest earner in show's history |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/jeopardy-champ-matt-amodio-now-3rd-highest-winner-show-s-t228159 |website=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |access-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813131729/https://www.today.com/popculture/jeopardy-champ-matt-amodio-now-3rd-highest-winner-show-s-t228159 |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |date=August 13, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> and a native of [[Medina County, Ohio]],<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/09/22/jeopardy-records-matt-amodio-ken-jennings-james-holzhauer-osu-medina/5812304001/|title=Medina County native and OSU grad Matt Amodio continues 'Jeopardy!' streak with 27th win|work=[[USA Today]] Network|date=September 24, 2021}}</ref> won $1,518,601 during his 38 consecutive wins on the show,<ref>{{Cite episode|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndication|date=August 13, 2021|season=37|publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]]}}</ref> making him the third millionaire contestant (based on regular-season play) after Jennings and Holzhauer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/tv/jeopardy-matt-amodio-becomes-third-player-to-win-1-million/?utm=newsbreak|title=Ph.D. Student Matt Amodio Becomes Third Jeopardy! Champion to Win $1 Million in Regular Play|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=September 26, 2021|first=Nicholas|last=Rice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: Highest Winnings (Regular-Season Play)|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=August 26, 2021}}</ref> He is the third-highest earner of all time in regular-season play,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: Highest Winnings (Regular-Season Play)|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=August 13, 2021}}</ref> has won the third-highest number of consecutive games,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: Consecutive Games Won|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=August 13, 2021}}</ref> and is the fourth-biggest all-time winner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: All-Time Winnings (including tournaments)|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=August 13, 2021}}</ref> During season 37, Amodio qualified as the second seed in the next Tournament of Champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/toc-tracker|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: Eligible for Next Tournament of Champions|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> Amodio is noted for his strategy of consistently prefacing his responses with "What's" instead of adjusting the [[interrogative word|interrogative pronoun]] to fit the response. He chose this method because ''Jeopardy!'' rules allow any question containing the correct response to be used; by not having to adjust the pronoun, he has one less thing to think about when formulating a response, potentially speeding response time.<ref name=ap-amodio>{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/culture/tv/2021/08/13/jeopardy-champ-matt-amodios-analytic-style-is-a-winner/|title='Jeopardy!' champ Matt Amodio's analytic style is a winner|first=Lynn|last=Elber|agency=Associated Press|date=August 13, 2021|access-date=August 13, 2021}}</ref> He has credited [[Wikipedia]]'s format for allowing him to meander through various topics in a random but logical progression and learn content quickly.<ref name="ap-amodio"/> His 38-game winning streak is often called "The Amodio Rodeo".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-01|title='Amodio Rodeo' continues on 'Jeopardy!' as he wrangles second-most consecutive wins|url=https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2021/10/amodio-rodeo-continues-on-jeopardy-as-he-wrangles-second-most-consecutive-wins.html|access-date=2022-01-17|website=pennlive|language=en}}</ref>

=== Jonathan Fisher ===
'''Jonathan Fisher''', an actor originally from [[Coral Gables, Florida]], won $246,100 in 11 wins on ''Jeopardy!'', losing his 12th appearance.<ref name="Andy Saunders">{{cite web |url=https://thejeopardyfan.com/2021/10/final-jeopardy-10-26-2021.html |title= Today's Final Jeopardy – Monday, October 25, 2021 |website=The Jeopardy Fan |access-date=25 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thejeopardyfan.com/2021/10/final-jeopardy-10-26-2021.html|title = Today's Final Jeopardy - Tuesday, October 26, 2021|date = October 26, 2021}}</ref> He ended Amodio's 38-game streak on October 11, 2021.<ref name=Jeopardy-20211011>{{cite episode |series= Jeopardy! |title= 11 October 2021 }}</ref> During season 38, he qualified as the second seed in the next Tournament of Champions until Amy Schneider surpassed him on December 1, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/toc-tracker|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: Eligible for Next Tournament of Champions|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> Fisher was the first contestant to have a winning streak of at least ten games after defeating another champion who also won at least ten games.<ref name=Jeopardy-20211025>{{cite episode |series= Jeopardy! |title= 25 October 2021 }}</ref> He became the 11th contestant to achieve ten wins.<ref name=Jeopardy-20211025/> His winning streak ended on October 26, 2021, when he lost to Nancy Donehower.<ref name=Jeopardy-20211026>{{cite episode |series= Jeopardy! |title= 26 October 2021 }}</ref>

=== Amy Schneider ===

[[File:Amy Schneider (2022).jpg|thumb|right|Schneider in 2022]]
{{Main|Amy Schneider}}
Amy Schneider, an engineering manager from [[Oakland, California]], won $1,382,800 and 40 games in a row, the second-longest winning streak in ''Jeopardy!''{{'}}s history<ref>{{Cite episode|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndication|date=January 13, 2022|season=38|publisher=[[Sony Pictures Television]]}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=vHFMLB99Xpg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=December 2, 2021|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: Consecutive Games Won|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|work=[[Jeopardy!]]}}</ref><ref name="today">{{cite web|last=Weisholtz|first=Drew|date=January 4, 2022|title=What is the 'Jeopardy!' Monday curse — and did Amy Schneider break it?|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/jeopardy-monday-curse-amy-schneider-break-rcna10846|website=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]}}</ref> and the fourth-highest winnings in regular-season play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: Highest Winnings (Regular-Season Play)|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=December 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jeopardy-amy-schneider-fourth-highest-earning|title='Jeopardy' champion Amy Schneider is the fourth highest-earning contestant in history|website=[[Fox News]]|date=December 23, 2021|first=Tyler|last=McCarthy}}</ref>&nbsp;Schneider is the fifth-biggest all-time winner,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: All-Time Winnings (including tournaments)|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=December 29, 2021}}</ref><ref name=today /> and the fourth regular-season millionaire (after Jennings, Holzhauer, and Amodio), while being the first transgender and female one.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: Highest Winnings (Regular-Season Play)|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=January 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/overheard/overheard-set-whats-it-be-jeopardy-millionaire|title=Overheard On Set: "What's it like to be a JEOPARDY! Millionaire?"|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=January 7, 2022}}</ref>&nbsp;During season 38, she qualified as the first seed in the next Tournament of Champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/toc-tracker|title=Jeopardy! Contestant Zone: Eligible for Next Tournament of Champions|work=[[Jeopardy!]]|date=December 1, 2021}}</ref><ref name=toc>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/12/02/jeopardy-amy-schneider-winning-streak/|title=Amy Schneider has made 'Jeopardy!' history — and helped the show find calm after chaos|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|access-date=December 2, 2021|first=Emily|last=Yahr}}</ref> On November 21, she won the tournament, along with its $250,000 grand prize.<ref>{{cite news |title=Who did 'Jeopardy!' crown winner in its Tournament of Champions? |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jeopardy-crown-winner-tournament-champions-rcna58227 |work=NBC News |language=en|author=Li, David K.|date=November 21, 2022}}</ref> She was the first openly transgender person to compete in, and to win, the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2022/11/jeopardy-tournament-of-champions-has-first-openly-transgender-winner.html|title='Jeopardy!' Tournament of Champions has first openly transgender winner|first=Deb|last=Kiner|date=November 22, 2022|website=pennlive}}</ref> Of the significance of her gender identity, she said: "The fact is, I don't actually think about being trans all that often, and so when appearing on national television, I wanted to represent that part of my identity accurately: as important, but also relatively minor."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/tv/transgender-jeopardy-champ-amy-schneider-downside/|title=Transgender 'Jeopardy!' Champ Amy Schneider Opened Up About What Actually 'Sucks' About Her Winning Streak|first=Kimberly|last=Ricci|work=Uproxx|date=November 27, 2021|access-date=November 27, 2021}}</ref>

=== Mattea Roach ===

{{Main|Mattea Roach}}
Mattea Roach, a tutor living in [[Toronto, Ontario]], and originally from [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], won 23 games in a row (moving them into fifth place for the most consecutive games won in show history) with their run ending on May 6, 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haring |first=Bruce |date=2022-05-06 |title='Jeopardy!' Champion Mattea Roach's Bid For 24th Consecutive Win Comes Down To $1 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/jeopardy-mattea-roach-loses-by-single-dollar-1235018357/ |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref> having won US$560,983 (sixth in show history).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mattea Roach makes it win No. 23 on Jeopardy!, but needed a big comeback {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8813373/mattea-roach-23rd-win-jeopardy/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref> They are the longest-running and highest-earning Canadian champion in ''Jeopardy!'' history.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McKeen |first=Alex |date=2022-04-22 |title=Mattea Roach is on the longest 'Jeopardy!' winning streak for a Canadian. Here's how it's giving her and her |language=en-CA |work=The Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/04/22/mattea-roach-is-on-the-longest-jeopardy-winning-streak-for-a-canadian-heres-how-its-giving-her-and-her-family-a-new-way-to-think-about-joy.html |access-date=2022-04-22 |issn=0319-0781}}</ref> Roach was seeded third in the 2022 Tournament of Champions, behind [[Amy Schneider]] and [[Matt Amodio]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/toc-tracker | title=Jeopardy! - TOC Tracker }}</ref>

=== Ryan Long ===

Ryan Long won 16 games in May and June 2022, and $299,400. He lost his 17th game to future 6 day winner and 2022 Tournament of Champions semifinalist Eric Ahasic. Ryan also appeared in the 2022 Tournament of Champions, losing in the quarterfinals to Maureen O'Neil. His previous jobs include dishwasher, water ice truck driver, piano delivery guy, airport security worker, supermarket cashier, bouncer, street sweeper, warehouse laborer, package handler, office clerk, CCT operator, and rideshare driver.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ryan Long on his journey from rideshare driver to 16-game Jeopardy! champion |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/contestant-profiles/ryan-long-his-journey-rideshare-driver-16-game-jeopardy-champion |access-date=7 June 2022 |work=Jeopardy! |date=6 June 2022 |location=CA}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thisamericanlife.org/785/through-the-looking-glass/act-two-6|title=Who is Ryan Long?|website=This American Life|date=November 25, 2022 |accessdate=1 December 2022}}</ref>

===Cris Pannullo===

Cris Pannullo, a customer success operations manager from [[Ocean City, New Jersey]], won $748,286 during his 21 appearances in October, November and December 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=O’Conner |first=Devin |date=2022-12-06 |title= 'Jeopardy!' Champ Cris Pannullo Wins 21st Game, Poker Credited for Historic Run |url= https://www.casino.org/news/jeopardy-champ-cris-pannullo-wins-21st-game-poker-credited/ |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=Casino.org |language=en-US}}</ref> His games were interrupted by the [[List of Jeopardy! tournaments and events#Tournament of Champions|Tournament of Champions]] and [[List of Jeopardy! tournaments and events#Second Chance Tournament|Second Chance Tournament]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2022/12/07/jeopardy-winner-cris-pannullo-streak-ends-loses-andy-tirrell/10851158002/|title='Disappointment for sure': 'Jeopardy!' champ Cris Pannullo's 21-game winning streak ends|last=Jensen|first=Erin|work=[[USA Today]]|date=December 7, 2022|access-date=December 8, 2022}}</ref>

===Hannah Wilson===

Hannah Wilson, a data scientist from [[Chicago, Illinois]], won $229,801 during her 8 appearances in May 2023, and has qualified for the Tournament of Champions. Hannah has identified herself as transgender and has cited Amy Schneider as an inspiration to compete on the show.<ref>{{cite web|date=2023-05-12 |title=Hannah Wilson is an Eight-Time Jeopardy! Champion |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/streaker-updates/hannah-wilson-eight-game-jeopardy-champion | language=en-US}}</ref>

===Ben Chan===

Ben Chan, a philosophy professor from [[Green Bay, Wisconsin]], won $252,600 during his 9 appearances in April<ref>{{cite web|date=2023-04-17 |title=St. Norbert professor Ben Chan's 3-game run as a 'Jeopardy!' champ has been temporarily delayed |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/entertainment/television/2023/04/17/ben-chans-run-as-a-jeopardy-champ-has-been-delayed-until-may/70121297007/ | work=Green Bay Press-Gazette | first=Kendra | last=Meinert | language=en-US}}</ref> and May 2023, and has qualified for the Tournament of Champions. All nine of his wins were runaway victories.<ref>{{cite web|date=2023-05-23 |title=Jeopardy! Champion Ben Chan's Streak Ends With Nine Wins |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/streaker-updates/jeopardy-champion-ben-chans-streak-ends-nine-wins | work=Jeopardy! | language=en-US}}</ref>

===Adriana Harmeyer===

Adriana Harmeyer, an archivist in [[West Lafayette, Indiana]], from [[Huntington, West Virginia]], won $351,600 during her 15-day win-streak in June and has qualified three times over for the Tournament of Champions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colegrove |first=Andrew |date=2024-06-07 |title=Huntington native wins 7th straight game on Jeopardy! |url=https://www.wsaz.com/2024/06/07/huntington-native-wins-7th-straight-game-jeopardy/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=[[WSAZ]] |language=en}}</ref> On June 19th, Drew Basile from [[Birmingham, Michigan]] beats Harmeyer to end her historic run.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rather |first=Joey |title=West Virginia native ends 15-day Jeopardy! winning streak with $350,000+ |url=https://www.wboy.com/news/west-virginia/west-virginia-native-ends-15-day-jeopardy-winning-streak-with-350000/ |website=[[WBOY]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maggie |first=Susa |date=2024-06-19 |title=Adriana Harmeyer earns more than $300K in 'Jeopardy!' winning streak |url=https://www.waynecountynews.com/news/adriana-harmeyer-earns-more-than-300k-in-jeopardy-winning-streak/article_079845ea-7630-596c-8bf6-faf72000843e.html |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Wayne County News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Jay Fisher ===
{{main|John J. Fisher Jr.}}
Jay Fisher, a former appointed [[100th Illinois General Assembly|State Senator from Illinois]] for 22 hours, defeated nine-day champion Issac Hirsch and won $31,200 before losing on his fourth appearance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings takes 'cheap shot directed' at Illinois contestant and former senator - The Mirror US |url=https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/tv/jeopardy-ken-jennings-illinois-contestant-596505?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target |work=www.themirror.com}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Strategies and skills of Jeopardy! champions|Strategies and skills of ''Jeopardy!'' champions]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

*[https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame ''Jeopardy'' top scoring players]

{{Jeopardy!}}

[[Category:Contestants on American game shows| ]]
[[Category:American television-related lists|Jeopardy! contestants]]
[[Category:Lists of people by activity|Jeopardy! contestants]]
[[Category:Jeopardy!]]