A delighted Grant DeYoung secured his fourth victory on Jeopardy! on Monday night (May 20) despite being behind his opponents for most of the episode.
Hailing from Prescott, Arizona, DeYoung entered the episode as a three-day champion with previous winnings of $67,202. However, he faced a rocky start with five incorrect responses putting him at a disadvantage compared to his rivals, filmmaker Gregg Meller and student Ivvone Zhou.
Meller dominated the next round, uncovering both Daily Doubles. Unfortunately, a large wager on the second one cost him a significant portion of his earnings, allowing DeYoung to take a slight lead going into Final Jeopardy.
In the final round, both DeYoung and Zhou provided the correct answer, but DeYoung’s wager put him ahead by just $1, finishing with $14,001 against Zhou’s $14,000.
This victory held particular emotional significance for DeYoung, who had recently shared with viewers how he was involved in a car accident at the same time he learned he would be appearing on Jeopardy!
As DeYoung’s winning streak continues, here are six facts about the popular grocery clerk that fans should know.
Fans Love His Emotions & Entertainment Value
DeYoung does not shy away from displaying his emotions on national television. Fans appreciate his open and relatable demeanor, often getting emotional and excited after each win.
“Grant is amazing. Love how each victory brings out his emotions; he seems like a genuine guy,” wrote one fan on the Jeopardy! Reddit forum.
“I am really happy for Grant. His mannerisms remind me of me (my parents noticed it too). Hope he keeps his run going!” said another.
He Breaks the Record for Incorrect Responses
Despite being just four wins into his streak, DeYoung is already making history. As reported by TheJeopardyFan.com, DeYoung is the first known player to win a game with 11 incorrect responses since Jack Lechner on December 1, 1988. Will DeYoung surpass the record of 13 incorrect responses set by Steve Rogitz on March 26, 1985?
He Resembles Weird Al Yankovic
During a recent episode of the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, producer Sarah Whitcomb Foss and former Tournament of Champions winner Buzzy Cohen compared DeYoung to a celebrity.
“Grant has a sense of humor,” Foss commented, with Cohen adding, “He doesn’t just look like Weird Al.”
Fans also noticed the resemblance between DeYoung and musician/comedian Weird Al Yankovic, with one Reddit user noting, “I thought Celeb Jeopardy was over, but here we are, watching Weird Al.”
Jeopardy, Inc!; JC Olivera/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
“I am enjoying the run Weird Al is having on #jeopardy,” wrote another viewer on X.
Weird Al himself has a history with Jeopardy!, having released the hit song “I Lost on Jeopardy!” in 1984.
Work as a Grocery Store Clerk
DeYoung has discussed his job as a grocery store clerk, mentioning to Ken Jennings that his height of 6 ft 4 allows him to assist elderly customers in reaching items on higher shelves.
According to DeYoung’s LinkedIn page, he has been employed at a King Soopers store in Fort Collins, Colorado, where his duties involve stocking and ordering in a team-oriented grocery store environment.
Aspiring Career in Computers
DeYoung pursued Computer Science at Colorado State University and is now aiming for a career in computers and software development.
On LinkedIn, he stated his desire to transition his team-based experience in retail and charitable giving to the field of Software Engineering/Development.
Response to Sitting Down on the Show
Following concerns about DeYoung sitting during the show, he explained that due to back arthritis, he requested a chair as standing for long periods is challenging for him.
Producers addressed this on the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, emphasizing that they offer chairs to contestants without questioning their reasons.
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