What's The Most Money Won On Jeopardy?

Random Celebrity Article By Geoffrey Golden on May 20, 2010

Here's a trivia question for all – What's the most money ever won on a game show like Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune? How much did Ken Jennings win and what question did he lose on???

There have been a number of big game winners on both Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune over the years. They might not pay out like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, but these iconic shows have been around for a long, long time. Taking away a truckload of cash from Jeopardy means you're rich and a smarty-pants: the ultimate combo. So, what's the most money ever won on Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune?

Wheel of Fortune, hosted by Pat Sajak and assistant Vanna White, had its bigger winner in 2008 when Michelle Loewenstein became the first contestant to win $1,000,000 on October 14, 2008, after the top prize was increased that same year. The grand total Lowenstein won was $1,026,080.

Jeopardy, hosted since 1984 by Alex Trebek, boasts the current biggest game show winner Ken Jennings. Ken took in a grand total of $2,520,700 on Jeopardy. Brad Rutter was the biggest game show winner in history with winnings of $3,270,102, until Ken Jennings overtook him, taking the title on October 10, 2008. Jennings passed Rutter when he won $500,000 on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.

Ken Jennings holds the record total with winnings of $3,623,414, although Rutter retains the most winnings Jeopardy record. Jennings has broken a number of game show records, including most consecutive appearances on a syndicated game show, the most consecutive appearances on Jeopardy, the most total appearances on Jeopardy (which includes tournaments) and the highest total winnings in one game of Jeopardy: $75,000. That amount of money ain't "potpourri."

More Information