Jeopardy! contestant Liam Starnes impresses Ken Jennings as fans compare him to a real-life Sheldon Cooper

Fans of Jeopardy! are enamored with Liam Starnes, a young and talented contestant from Barrington who has won his first week in a row. He stood out on the popular TV quiz show because of how well he did. Even though he is young, this University of Chicago student has shown what he can do on a national level, earning praise for how smart and knowledgeable he is about sports. 

Liam Starnes's journey has been nothing less than amazing, with the final amount of $123,584 (6-day total). He has gained more fans and now has the chance to compete in the Tournament of Champions.

So, who is Liam Starnes? Liam Starnes reached Jeopardy! when he was 20 years old and a biostatistics major at the University of Chicago. He became interested in trivia early on and played in school bowls when he was young. 

As captain of his high school team to a national title, Liam Starnes improved his skills and got ready for the big stage. He studied hard for years, passed several tests, and finally got the chance to compete, which made his dream come true.

Jeopardy! is a popular game show that has been around for a long time. The show has produced many memorable champions over the years. It is known for being intellectually challenging and having an iconic format. It's still one of the most prestigious quiz shows on TV. For Liam Starnes, being on Jeopardy! has been a dream come true, but this is just the start of his journey.

Liam Starnes and his Jeopardy! championship performance

Liam Starnes went up against Simon Liebling and Jenn Gardner in the episode that aired on April 25, 2025. There was a lot of drama in the game, and other players' mistakes changed the outcome. After his previous wins, Liam Starnes had a total of $103,002 going into the game. As the game went on, Liam Starnes stayed ahead, showing how good he is at things like sports and history.

Before he went on Jeopardy!, Liam Starnes played scholastic bowls. These helped him improve his knowledge and competitive spirit. He had to take several tests, including one for teens, one for college, and one for everyone else, before he was finally chosen to be on the show in 2023. 

Liam Starnes’s passion for trivia was evident, and he quickly became known as a tough competitor. His dream of being on Jeopardy!  started as a child. It has now turned into a reality, with his one-week championship streak.

As Starnes said to ABC Eye Witness News,

"I didn't think I'd make it on, but one day, I got the call. It was such a great experience, being up there on the stage and getting to meet Ken Jennings and everything".

Key Insights from Jeopardy! Episode April 25, 2025

For this episode, the first Daily Double was a significant moment. With $3,000 saved up, Liam Starnes risked it all on a question about Cardinal Richelieu, which he got right. Making his money double to $6,000 set the tone for the rest of the game. He made it hard for his competitors, Simon Liebling and Jenn Gardner, to catch up, especially after Gardner made a costly mistake with her pronunciation on Double Jeopardy.

The last round was a very important part of the game. "1990s Bestsellers" was the category for Final Jeopardy.

"In this 1995 book, Pilgrim is taken to Tom, whose job it is to utter secrets “softly into pricked and troubled ears." That was the clue.

The right answer: “What is The Horse Whisperer?”

Even though it was a difficult question, Liam Starnes kept his lead. He wagered only $18 and ended up with a score of $20,582. But the other contestants had trouble with their answers. 

Liebling made the wrong guess and bet too little, and Gardner also made the wrong guess and bet a lot, leaving her with only $1,900.

Final Score:

• Simon Liebling: $6,799
• Liam Starnes: $20,582
• Jenn Gardner: $1,900

Liam Starnes proved how smart he is and how much he knows in this game. He took advantage of his competitors' mistakes because he was sure of himself and well-prepared. This made him even more of a champion.