A college professor from Pasadena, California...

Michael Rooney

Date of first appearance:
April 1999

Winnings:
$50,201 + two Camaros (regular season), Total: $55,201 (including ToC)

Records/Stats:
Five-time champ.

Favorite anecdote associated with being on the show:
During the 2000 Tournament of Champions, a question asked for someone born in 1847 yet responsible for Millionaire lifelines in 1999, and the answer was Alexander Graham Bell (phone-a-friend--get it?). No one got it, and before choosing the next question, I said, "That was cheesy." Alex responded, "No editorializing please!" but the 4000 people in the Atlanta Civic Center laughed.

Effect on life?
My appearances on the show have made my mom and grandma more proud of me than they have any reason to be.

Anything crazy with the winnings?
Like most Jeopardy! contestants, I used the money in boring, sensible ways, to do things such as pay off credit cards and student loans.

Anything else you'd like the viewers to know?
My three-year old son Aidan has gotten so used to hearing me answer questions he exhorts me to "say something!" whenever the show is on--regardless of whether any questions are being asked or not.

"He was a winner of 5 games in 1999, and is still a college professor. From Pasadena, California..."

2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions Round 2 winner: $70,201.
2000 Tournament of Champions semifinalist (defeated eventual champ Robin Carroll in quarterfinal game): $5,000
Season 15 5-time champion: $50,201 + 2 Chevrolet Camaros.

Michael won $25,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire on 2010-10-25 and 2010-10-26.

Jeopardy! Message Board user name: MRooney

Michael appeared in the following 3 archived games:
#4771, aired 2005-05-09 Steve Chernicoff vs. Brad Rutter vs. Michael Rooney 2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions Round 3, game 1.
#4755, aired 2005-04-15 Michael Rooney vs. Tom Walsh vs. Catherine Ramen 2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions Round 2, game 3.
#4728, aired 2005-03-09 Erik Larsen vs. Mark Lowenthal vs. Michael Rooney 2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions Round 1, game 21.
Michael previously appeared on Jeopardy! as Michael Rooney in the following 2 archived games:
#3628, aired 2000-05-17 Michael Rooney vs. Steve Fried vs. Carolyn Cracraft 2000 Tournament of Champions semifinal game 3. From the Atlanta Civic Center.
#3624, aired 2000-05-11 Robin Carroll vs. Lee Lassiter vs. Michael Rooney 2000 Tournament of Champions quarterfinal game 4. From the Atlanta Civic Center.

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