Ike Barinholtz WowsJeopardy!Fans by Advancing to Tournament of Champions' Semifinals

Mar. 15, 2025

Ike Barinholtz on “Celebrity Jeopardy”.Photo:ABC/Youtube

ABC/Youtube

Ike Barinholtzis proving that he aJeopardy!contender once again.

After winningCelebrity Jeopardy!in February 2023,The Mindy Projectactor returned to the game show to compete in theJeopardy!Tournament of Champions on Monday.

When hostKen Jenningsasked Barinholtz, 47, about being the firstCelebrity Jeopardy!champion to appear on Tournament of Champions, he responded, “I feel like a guinea pig a little bit, but I like guinea pigs, they’re adorable, like me. But yeah, it’s an honor to be here.”

“A lot of people were giving me well wishes, and a lot of them were tinged with the tone of, ‘I thought you were dumb,’” he joked. ‘And I am, full disclosure, but it was wonderful. People were surprised, but I was happy they were saying nice things to me.”

Ike Barinholtz attends the Variety Antisemitism And Hollywood Summit at 1 Hotel West Hollywood on October 18, 2023 in West Hollywood, California.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

For the final category, “Poets of Ancient Rome,” the clue was: “Far from Rome, this first century poet wrote, ‘The leader’s anger done, grant me the right to die in my native country.’” Barinholtz and Lalaonde both correctly guessed, “Who is Ovid?”

With a wager of $13,801,The Afterpartyactor took first place with $28,601 and advanced to the semifinals. After the win, he turned to the audience — which included his parents Alan and Peggy Barinholtz — and appeared genuinely surprised he had won.

“What an absolute honor to be on the @jeopardy Tournament of Champions!” he wrote onInstagramalongside a photo of him and Jennings, 49. “Huge thanks to everyone who watched and and the amazing team atJeopardy!and of course to the incredible champions Ray Lalonde and Melissa Klapper! On to the Semi finals! 👍”

Fans shared their reactions to Barinholtz’s win on social media.

“Ike winning on tournament of champions was not on my 2024 bingo card but I am here for this!!” a fanshared, and another useradded, “Again, definitely unexpected, but Ike deserved that win.”

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TheJeopardy!Tournament of Champions continues weeknights on ABC (check local listings).

source: people.com