A scientist from Oceanside, California...

Kurt Bray

First Appearance:
Jan. 3, 1994

Total Winnings:
$56,100

Records Held:
5-time champion

Favorite Anecdote:
In the regular season games the first two people waiting to greet and congratulate you as you come off the set after a win are your next two opponents. After my first game, which was a low-scoring win that I backed into, my next two opponents rushed forward to greet me, glad to be facing a weak champion who had somehow lucked into a win. After a dominating win the second game, the next two seemed to physically shrink away as I walked toward them--as though I were Darth Vader or something. I was amused at the difference a big win makes.

Affect On My Life:
Being a Jeopardy! champion imbues you with enormous credibility in the eyes of many people. They assume you know everything. You get asked and consulted on every obscure and difficult point of fact, and everyone is shocked if you don't know.

Crazy Things with Winnings:
I spent much of my money on my two daughters--I bought them new bedroom furniture and put some away for their college educations (which is now being spent). I did, however, buy myself a little sports car and went on vacation to Sweden to watch a big track meet.

Other things:
I am very grateful to Ken Jennings. Without him and this tournament I never would have gotten the chance to play Jeopardy! again.

"A 5-time winner in 1994, he used some of his winnings to see the world track & field championships. A scientist from Oceanside, California..."

2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions Round 1 player: $5,000.
1994 Tournament of Champions semifinalist: $5,000.
Season 10 5-time champion: $51,100.

Jeopardy! Message Board user name: Coureur