A human resources manager from Cheverly, Maryland...

Paul Thompson

Date of first appearance:
October 1995

Total winnings:
$77,199 (before the prize money was doubled)

Records held/Stats:
5-day champ, semifinalist in the 1995 Tournament of Champions, for a long time on the list of all-time highest money winners.

Favorite anecdote:
Watched one of the shows at a local tavern, the Friendly Inn, Tuxedo, Maryland. Bought a round of drinks for the house at the show's end.

Jeopardy!'s effect on my life:
I met and was photographed with Vice President Al Gore as a result of my appearances.

Crazy things I did with my winnings:
Some people would consider it crazy to spend a good share of the after-tax winnings on my son's freshman year at MIT, but my wife and I disagree. We also took a 3-week family trip to Italy in 1998, and drove like crazy once we got the hang of it.

What I want people to know about me:
A regular guy--Upper Midwesterner in upbringing and outlook; loyal civil servant by career choice; a lover of music and the arts; independent-minded and occasionally irreverent, but deep down a strong believer in family and spiritual values.

"He was the first 5-time champion in the 1995-96 season. A human resources manager from Cheverly, Maryland..."

2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions Round 1 player: $5,000.
1995 Tournament of Champions semifinalist: $5,000.
Season 12 5-time champion: $72,199.

Not to be confused with Season 5 player Paul Thompson.