Who is Ken Jennings? Who is Ken Jennings? Who is Ken Jennings?

Jeopardy! has always been one of the most popular shows on TV, drawing more than 5 million viewers every night. One big reason is host Ken Jennings, a former UW student who is charming, smart and affable, and maintains his strong PNW roots.

Born in Edmonds, Jennings grew up in South Korea and Singapore and worked as a computer programmer before he tried out as a contestant on “Jeopardy!” more than 20 years ago. He not only dazzled with his success as a contestant—winning 74 consecutive games and becoming the highest-earning American game show competitor—but his success and friendly demeanor drew a lot of media attention and increased viewership. It was no surprise he was named the show’s host after Alex Trebek died of pancreatic cancer in 2020.

Jennings, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, attended the hometown University of Washington for a couple of years before going on a church mission to Spain and transferring to BYU, where he finished his degree. In addition to working as a computer scientist, he became an author. He was in town recently to promote his new puzzle book, “The Complete Kennections: 5,000 Questions in 1,000 Puzzles,” at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park.

Ken Jennings signed copies of his new book at Third Place Books in August.

This was his first new trivia book in more than a decade. Jennings, a puzzle master, has been known to complete The New York Times crossword in ink every morning.

Puzzles have always been a part of Jennings’ life, as he has produced weekly puzzles since 2012 involving trivia questions where the answers have something in common. “Kennections” compiles hundreds of updated and new puzzles in one volume and is sure to keep “Jeopardy!” and Jennings fans busy in between episodes of “Jeopardy!”

Jennings, who still calls Seattle home, drew an enthusiastic crowd to Third Place Books, eager to hear his story, engage with him in a Q&A and have their books signed.

UW Magazine Ken-nections

In homage to Ken Jennings and his trivia puzzles, we’ve created a quiz for you. Grab a piece of paper, fill in the blanks to answer to each of the five clues, then guess the connection between all five answers. Scroll for hints, then keep scrolling to see the correct answers.

1. This 1930s actress struggled with depression and was involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Her story inspired Kurt Cobain, who gave her an opportunity for revenge on a Nirvana song on “In Utero.”
   _ _ _ _ _ _ _    _ _ _ _ _ _
2. This molecular biologist and immunologist received a phone call letting her know she had won a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which she initially ignored, thinking it was a spam call.
   _ _ _ _   _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. This former Coast Guard Commandant was the first woman to take the role—and the first woman in the Coast Guard to receive four stars. She was controversially fired by President Trump on his first day in office, partially due to her focus on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
   _ _ _ _ _   _ _ _ _ _
4. Grace Van Patten plays this woman in a crime drama released this summer about a wrongful murder conviction in Italy. The series, based on a true story, was co-produced by the real-life main character and Monica Lewinsky.
   _ _ _ _ _ _   _ _ _ _
5. A MacArthur “Genius,” Time Woman of the Year and writer with a poem currently on its way to Jupiter, this woman was the first Latina appointed Poet Laureate of the USA. She studied under Colleen McElroy, the first full-time African American professor at their shared alma mater.
   _ _ _   _ _ _ _ _

What connection do these five answers share?

Hints

1. Cobain’s daughter shares her first name.
   Her last name is a profession.
   Her name is an alliteration.
2. Her initials are M.B.
   Her first name is in the Bible.
3. Her last name is a homonym for an antagonist in Oliver Twist.
   She shares her first name with Bob’s wife in “Bob’s Burgers.”
4. She made headlines in 2007.
   She was portrayed in a negative light in the media, sometimes called “Foxy Knoxy.”
5. Her last name means “lemon” in Spanish.
   She shares her first name with a woman who is considered the world’s first computer programmer.

Answers

1: Frances Farmer
2: Mary Brunkow
3: Linda Fagan
4: Amanda Knox
5: Ada Limón

Ken-nection: University of Washington alumnae