Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends

Former Brandeis “Jeopardy!” Contestants React to Passing of Alex Trebek

November 10, 2020

After longtime “Jeopardy!” Host Alex Trebek passed away Nov. 8 at the age of 80 following a battle with pancreatic cancer, Brandeis alumni who were past contestants on the popular quiz show took to Twitter to remember the iconic host and share memories of their appearances on the program.

Sandha Khin ’07, who most recently competed in February 2020, says getting on the show was a lifelong dream:

Getting on Jeopardy! this year was an unimaginable lifelong dream fulfilled, Alex has been a figure in my life for as long as I can remember RIP https://t.co/4jdwArtbo2

— Friendly Moon 🧼 (@khinkhin) November 8, 2020

Brandeis Sports Information Director Adam Levin ’94, who had viewers on the edge of their seats when he nearly beat record-breaking champion James Holzhauer in April 2019, says his appearance on the program was one of the best days of his life:

Alex’s memory will always be a blessing for me. He was part of one of the best days of my life, one that brought me a boatload of new friends who I’m sure are equally heartbroken right now. #RIPTrebek #Jeopardy

— Adam Levin (@AdamLevin94) November 8, 2020

Levin recalls a special moment between his then-8-year-old son and Trebek during taping.

It’s somewhat well-known that I was a holdover contestant - watched all 5 games on Tues and taped first thing Weds. On Tues, my then-8-year-old asked a Q during every commercial break. When he came back on Weds and asked again, Alex said, Don’t I remember you? (Cont.) https://t.co/3yPwJJ5PPd

— Adam Levin (@AdamLevin94) November 8, 2020

Here’s Drew at the J! display behind the studio. pic.twitter.com/LUq78v2DrP

— Adam Levin (@AdamLevin94) November 8, 2020

Two-time champion Jennifer Morrow ’07 has this to say:

Devastated. Thank you for everything, Alex. Truly a life well-lived. ❤️ https://t.co/8aOjleZKTS

— Jennifer Morrow (@jenniferemorrow) November 8, 2020

Morrow and fellow contestants also recall their favorite Trebek one-liners.

Viewers know that Alex had some amazing one-liners on camera, clips of which are circulating again. You may not know that we J! contestants have a second lineup of hilarious comments he made to us during commercials or while the mics were muted. Keep an eye out for them today. https://t.co/3MjoFbKHel

— Jennifer Morrow (@jenniferemorrow) November 8, 2020

Jocelyn Dorfman ’10, who used her Final Jeopardy! answer to pay homage to her beloved Washington Nationals, expresses her condolences:

There are constants in life that we sometimes don’t know how precious they are until they’re gone. Luckily, we all knew how important Alex Trebek was in our lives. Sending love to his family, the @Jeopardy staff, and my fellow contestants.

— ✡️ Jocelyn voted, did you? (@jocelyndorf) November 8, 2020

In light of the recent passing of several prominent public figures, she adds:

I’m choosing to believe that somewhere out there is an epic Celebrity @Jeopardy with Chadwick Boseman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and — of course — Sean Connery.

— ✡️ Jocelyn voted, did you? (@jocelyndorf) November 10, 2020

Brandeis has produced its fair share of “Jeopardy!” contestants on the long-running show, which is not announcing plans for a new host at this time. Among the youngest Brandeisians to have competed on the show was Hannah Nekritz ’23. The incoming Brandeis first-year was a wildcard semifinalist in the 2019 Teen Tournament.

Other notable alumni contestants include two-time champions Barbra Resnick ’00 and Loren Lee Chen ’10 and five-time champions and Tournament of Champions quarterfinalists Paul Holman-Kursky ’02 and Mehrun Etebari ’04.