Game show contestant Ken Jennings became famous for winning more than $2.5 million (USD) on which U.S. show?

In 2004 quiz show winner Ken Jennings broke a record for the amount of money he won on the U.S. syndicated game show “Jeopardy!”.

On an episode that aired on a Wednesday, Jennings won $45,099. This brought his total earnings to $2,197,000; this made him the top TV game-show winner at the time. He beat the previous record of $2,180,000, set by Michigan engineer Kevin Olmstead on ABC’s “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” in 2001.

Jennings' overall game show total of $4,023,414 (USD) was later surpassed by Brad Rutter, a “Jeopardy!” contestant with a final overall cash total of $4,455,102 (USD) .

Jennings was a 30 year old software engineer from Salt Lake City. He began his 66 appearances and counting streak on the game show on an episode that aired on June 2. Since then, he richly profited from a rule change, made at the start of the syndicated game show’s 20th season. The change removed a five appearance limit. As a contestant, he continued to play as long as he won.

On the “Jeopardy!” episode that aired in September 2004, Jennings broke the record for longest winning streak that any player had ever obtained on a TV game show.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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20 Comments

silrem

I won on JEOPARDY in 1970 with Art Fleming.

bleonard

Such a Wonderful show. It will be hard to fill Alex's Shoes. RIP Mr. Trebek.

wordster

davenjudyfusi, I took the test too, about ten years after you did, but was a potential contestant on a show near the end of the season, which never happened because of scheduling. They started the process over each year at that time and I didn't go back to do it again. Should have. I aced the test but had trouble mastering the buzzer, which requires very quick reflexes and precise timing. I watch the show all the time and have for decades. It's fun and good exercise for the mind, especially as some of us find as we get older.

Don Racette

Criona Walsh But would you give me the correct answer....of course not.

Marlen Brown

filmnut, Yeah, I always get that from my family, but I fear choking in front of an audience.

Gold Toy Box

I took the test to get on Jeopardy while on vacation in 1973, passed the test but was gone the next week and never followed up. The first question was name "The Three Musketeers".

billyboy915

BPlunkettTurner, Your comment is nothing but ridiculously projected supposition. Do you really think this married man and professional gambler quit and "gave" the title to some strange woman... on purpose? You certainly don't know anything about the psychology behind the thrill of gambling and winning. And generally, while record holders are revered, they are never held so sacred that breaking their records loses its charm as the ultimate goal. No, James Holzhauer was beaten. Although a fluke, since the new champ didn't last long, he was beaten. Sometimes the game doesn't go one's way, the categories are more difficult, or someone else rings in more quickly. It happens to the best of them.

Joanne Serin

BPlunkettTurner, no, he didn't give it away. He landed on the DD on his first turn, so could only bet $1000. Then Emma landed on both DDs in the Double Jeopardy round. So she would have won anyway.

Joanne Serin

silrem, I came in 3rd in 1974 with Alex.

BPlunkettTurner

Yep and sadly the recent $2.6 million winner James Holzhauer (prof. sports gambler) stopped and I swear he gave it away to that girl that "beat him" because he at least I think he just got tired and wanted to respect Ken's place as total champ and didn't want to surpass him. I respect that.

dlh

Just saw an article about Jeopardy and his winnings.

ninakamwene

Lucky guess

Scott

Government entities got about half for doing nothing...

filmnut

He’s almost as smart as me. When Jeopardy was on in the morning I would make breakfast and answer with my back to the TV. My girlfriend was “blown away”. Was always saying “ You should get on that show”.