In the electrifying realm of game shows, where knowledge reigns supreme and quick wits are a coveted currency, there exists an iconic quiz program that has captured hearts and minds for decades. With its distinctive format and great host, “Jeopardy!” has become a cornerstone of television entertainment. However, beyond its intriguing questions and answers lies another captivating facet: the extraordinary individuals who have not only graced its stage but also amassed staggering fortunes through their mental prowess.
From strategic masterminds who calculated risks with mathematical precision to seasoned veterans who navigated the intricate nuances of the game, their collective winnings amount to over $19,000,000-a testament to their intellect, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of victory. Let’s delve into it and see the Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female]
Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female]
1. Brad Rutter ($4,938,436)
Meet Brad Rutter, a guy you might not have guessed would top the list. Back in 2000, he won for 5 days on “Jeopardy!” and took home $55,102. But hold on, that’s not all. Since then, he’s become a true legend in the game. He raked in a whopping $2 million in the 2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions, followed by another $1 million in the 2002 Million Dollar Masters Tournament.
Brad Rutter isn’t just some record store employee from Pennsylvania anymore. He’s soared to the top with an incredible total of winnings, making him a true standout in the world of “Jeopardy!” champions.
He has accumulated a total of $4,938,436 on Jeopardy’s main board so far, standing tall as No. 1 on our list of Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time.
Ken Jennings ($4,370,700)
Introducing our No. 2 on the topic, Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female],is Ken Jennings! Hailing from Seattle, Washington, this computer scientist conquered “Jeopardy!” in an astonishing 74-day spree, amassing an incredible $2,520,700 in cash winnings.
And that’s not all—Ken’s journey to victory reached even greater heights with a second-place finish in the 2005 Tournament of Champions, netting him an additional $500K, and a triumphant title as the “Greatest of All Time” in the 2020 GOAT Tournament, earning him a cool $1 million.
His winnings don’t stop there, as Ken’s strategic prowess led to victories like the 2019 All-Star Games, the 2014 Battle of the Decades, and the 2011 IBM Challenge, securing him a total take-home sum of $4,372,700, including a consolation prize.
Ken Jennings isn’t just a trivia whiz within Jeopardy! circles—he’s a household name, thanks to his extraordinary 75-day reign on the show in 2005, and currently sits at number 2 with a cumulative figure of $4,370,700 on Jeopardy’s all-time winnings.
3. James Holzhauer ($3,462,216)
Sitting in the third position of the Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female], is James Holzhauer, a sports gambler from Las Vegas, Nevada, who made waves on “Jeopardy!” in 2019 with his bold style and daring bets.
His 32-day cash winnings added up to an impressive $2,462,216. What set Holzhauer apart was his fearless strategy of hunting for Daily Doubles, often wagering everything to double his money, and dominating the game board.
Holzhauer’s mastery extended into tournaments. He secured victory in the 2019 Tournament of Champions, claiming $250,000, and followed it up with a runner-up finish in the 2020 Jeopardy!
The Greatest of All Time tournament, earning another $250,000. His journey continued with a triumphant win of $500,000 in the 2023 Jeopardy! Masters tournament.
He sits third with a $3,462,216 cumulative figure on Jeopardy’s all-time winnings board.
4. Matt Amodio ($1,668,601)
Our fourth place in the ranking of Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female] is Matt Amodio, whose impressive winning streak, spanning 38 games, raked in a remarkable $1,518,601—a feat that placed him ahead of the Tournament of Champions. Notably, Amodio’s journey was mixed with the shifting landscape of the show as he competed under six different hosts, a unique record that may stand the test of time.
Amodio’s path, like many others, was shaped by unexpected turns; the global pandemic extended his preparation time, and his appearance coincided with the show’s quest to find a successor to the beloved Alex Trebek. Despite placing third in the 2023 Jeopardy! Masters tournament and securing $150,000, Amodio’s total earnings have soared but he sits below James Holzhauer in the 4th position with a cumulative earning of $1,668,601 on jeopardy! all-time winnings board.
5. Amy Schneider ($1,632,800)
Our 5th on the list of Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female] is Amy Schneider, who is a big winner on “Jeopardy!” She won an incredible 40 games in a row, just behind Ken Jennings. In 2022, she made history as the first openly transgender champion to get into the Tournament of Champions.
Amy’s winnings are impressive. She earned over a million dollars even before the Tournament of Champions. In that special tournament, she won again, getting another $250,000.
Besides those wins, she got $75,000 for being fifth in Jeopardy! Masters. Adding a $2,000 prize from a regular game loss, her total winnings add up to a big $1,632,800. Amy Schneider is not just a champion; she’s a pioneer who’s among the Top 10 “Jeopardy!” winners of all time.
6. Mattea Roach ($810,983)
On our 6th spot on the list of Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female] who also stands as the youngest winner on our list is Mattea Roach.
She was just 23 when she started winning in April 2022. Hailing from Toronto, Mattea, a tutor, rocked a 23-game streak, bagging a solid $560,983. Her achievements didn’t stop there—she holds the title of Canada’s biggest “Jeopardy!” winner.
Mattea’s story doesn’t end with her game streak. She also clinched second behind James Holzhauer in 2023 Jeopardy! Masters journey won her a total of $250,000. Her cumulative earnings from the tournament sit at an impressive $810,983 in Jeopardy! All time earnings board
7. David Madden ($763,733)
As we get closer to a finish in our list of Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And female], David Madden sits in 7th position on the board with a cumulative earnings of $763,733.
David Madden, an art historian hailing from New Jersey, made his mark in 2005, on “Jeopardy!” with a remarkable cash win of $430,400, achieved during his impressive 19-day streak on the show. What’s more, he joined forces with Larissa Kelly and Ken Jennings to form an All-Star dream team, collectively clinching a million-dollar prize.
When you tally all Maddens winnings up from hs collaboration to his 20th game where he won $2000, to his addition of $10,000 in the Champions Tournament up, David Madden carried home a grand total of $763,733 a substantial feat by any measure.
David Madden isn’t just an art historian; he’s written his name among the Top 10 “Jeopardy!” champions of all time.
8. Cris Pannullo ($748,286)
8th on the list of the Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female] is Cris Panullo with a cumulative earning of $748,286 in the Jeopardy! leader board of all time winnings.
Cris panullo who hails fromOcean City, New Jersey, he is a customer success operations manager, secured sixth place in consecutive wins, with only a handful of contestants surpassing him in regular-season earnings.
His remarkable 21-game streak, starting in September, helped him pocket an impressive $748,286 in winnings—a solid seventh place on Jeopardy!’s Leaderboard of Legends.
And today, Cris is no more just a customer manager and trying hard to skip the rat race but he is a champion who has written his name in the history books as one of the Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time with his unique mix of knowledge and strategic play.
9. Larissa Kelly ($655,930)
Our third female and 9th place on the list of the Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female] is Larissa Kelly with an impressive earning of $655,930.
Hailing from Newton, Massachusetts, Larissa, a college professor, made her mark with a six-day winning streak, amassing a total of $222,597 in cash winnings. Her journey didn’t stop there—she secured the title of first runner-up in the 2009 Tournament of Champions, adding another $100,000 to her winnings.
Plus, Larissa was a key player in the 2019 All-Star team tournament, sharing in a $1 million prize. With additional wins from the 2014 Battle of the Decades and a starting $1,000 consolation, Larissa Kelly’s total haul amounted to $661,930.
Larissa was a key player in the 2019 All-Star team tournament, sharing in a $1 million prize. With additional wins from the 2014 Battle of the Decades and a starting $1,000 consolation, Larissa Kelly’s total haul amounted to $661,930.
Today Larisa total earnings from the scoreboard stands at a staggering $655,930 cementing her place as a name in the history of Jeopardy! top 10 all time earners.
10. Matt Jackson ($611,612)
As we draw curtains to the list of the Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female], matt Jackson sits 10th with a cumulative earning of $611,612 on Jeopardy! leaderboard earnings of all time.
Surprisingly, Matt Jackson is a college student who made quite a splash on “Jeopardy!” With a 13-day winning streak, he scored an impressive total of $411,612 in cash winnings. Matt’s journey went beyond just game victories. He landed in second place in his season’s Tournament of Champions, adding a cool $100,000 to his tally.
Further showcasing his prowess, he joined Ken Jennings’ team in the 2019 All-Star Games and secured another $100,000.
His 13-show run in 2015 positioned him as the fourth-highest earner in “Jeopardy!” history. With an extra $2,000 consolation prize from his initial loss, Matt Jackson’s total winnings summed up to an impressive $611,612.
A college student who just showcased that knowledge and persistence are a winning combination as he cemented his spot in Top 10 Jeopardy! Winners Of all Time [Male And Female].