Who is Ike Barinholtz? This actor and screenwriter is a former contestant on “Celebrity Jeopardy!” champion who just made it to the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions from the original game show.
Star and writer of “The Mindy Project,” who won “Celebrity Jeopardy!” Last year, she prevailed on Monday night's episode against performance artist Ray Lalonde and professor Melissa Klapper, whom she previously described as “legends” and “real players” on the non-celebrity version of the esteemed show.
The “Blockers” and “Late Night” star won $28,601 and the chance to advance in the tournament. He played a perfect first round, winning $4,800, but struggled in the second round, only getting seven of the 10 Double Jeopardy! correct clues. He and his fellow contestants made it to the Final Jeopardy! round with five-figure winnings. Klapper led with $21,400, Barinholtz followed with $14,800 and Lalonde followed with $13,800.
The final track came from the “Poets of Ancient Rome” category: “Far from Rome, this first-century poet wrote: 'Once the wrath of the leader is ended, grant me the right to die in my native country.'”
The answer: “Who is Ovid?” Both Barinholtz and Lalonde answered correctly. But “History of the World, Part II” and former “MadTV” writer out-bet his competition ($13,801), bringing his total score to $28,601 and clinching his victory.
The 47-year-old trivia wizard will compete in his semifinal episode on Thursday, a “Jeopardy!” spokesperson said. confirmed on Tuesday. Representatives for the actor did not immediately respond Tuesday to The Times' request for additional comment.
“Danger!” Season 40 contestants performance artist Ray Lalonde, teacher Melissa Klapper, and actor-screenwriter Ike Barinholtz compete on the March 4, 2024 episode.
(Tyler Golden / Sony Pictures Television / Jeopardy Productions, Inc.)
Speaking to season 40 host Ken Jennings before winning the round, Barinholtz said people didn't seem to realize how smart he was.
“People gave me a lot of well wishes and a lot of them were tinged with the tone of 'I thought you were dumb?!'” he joked. “I am, honestly, but it was wonderful… People were surprised, but I was happy that they were saying nice things.”
The actor was joined in the studio by his parents, “Jury Duty” star Alan Barinholtz and mother Peggy Barinholtz.
He plans to donate his winnings to Pacific Clinics, Hollygrove, where he also donated his $1 million prize from “Celebrity Jeopardy!” and past earnings from “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire” and “E!'s Celebrity Game Face.”
The episode itself, which was taped on February 7, was previously in doubt when Lalonde and several other tournament competitors announced they would be leaving the show in July amid the writers' strike. Although “Danger!” is an unscripted game show, based on clues crafted by members of the Writers Guild of America who were on strike between May and September. A spokesperson for “Jeopardy!” He later said that the show “never intended to produce a Tournament of Champions for season 39 until the strike is resolved.”
Barinholtz has yet to comment on the win on social media, but before the episode he encouraged his followers on Instagram to tune in.
“It was incredible, it was an experience I will never forget,” he said, proudly brandishing his former “Celebrity Jeopardy!” trophy.
Times staff writer Christi Carras contributed to this report.
