Love and Legacy: Jeopardy! Contestants Roger Craig and Julia Collins Tie the Knot
Jeopardy! has been life-changing for many contestants—not just in prize money, but in unexpected ways. For former champions Roger Craig and Julia Collins, the iconic quiz show led to something even greater: love and marriage.
During the Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament on Friday, February 21, Craig revealed to host Ken Jennings that the game show played a pivotal role in his personal life.
“At the All-Star Games, I reconnected with Julia Collins,” Craig shared. “I first met her in New York about 10 years ago, and now we’re married.”
Jennings was thrilled by the revelation. “Wow, Jeopardy! power couple! Congratulations!” he exclaimed.
Craig, who holds one of the show’s most impressive records, called his relationship with Collins “the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” When asked why Collins wasn’t competing in the invitational tournament, Craig explained that she was unable to attend—at least for now. “We would love to play together someday. She would have loved to be here, but the logistics just didn’t work out this time. Hopefully next time.”
A Power Couple in the Trivia World
Craig first made his mark on Jeopardy! in 2010, setting a then-record-breaking single-day total of $77,000—surpassing Jennings’ own record of $75,000. Over his seven-game run, he amassed $231,200 before being defeated by Jelisa Castrodale.
Collins, meanwhile, became a Jeopardy! legend in 2014 with an extraordinary 20-game winning streak, earning over $400,000 and cementing her place among the show’s most successful contestants.
A Happier Jeopardy! Headline After Controversy
Craig and Collins’ love story brings a welcome positive note to Jeopardy! following a controversy in late 2024. In the October 28 episode, contestant Heather Ryan found herself in an awkward situation when presented with a clue in the “Complete the Rhyming Phrase…” category:
Clue: “Men seldom make passes…”
Ryan, who wears glasses, recognized the phrase from Dorothy Parker’s famous quote: “Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.” However, the outdated sentiment sparked discomfort among the audience and contestants alike. Host Ken Jennings immediately apologized, acknowledging that it was an unfortunate choice of words.
In a November 4 interview with Binghamton University’s student newspaper, Ryan described the moment as “definitely an odd choice.”
“I think it made everyone on stage, including Ken, a little uncomfortable,” she recalled. “It was like, ‘Oh, that was unexpected.’ Maybe we choose better rhyming phrases in 2024. Unfortunately, there are still middle school girls who avoid wearing their glasses because of old stereotypes, and they end up missing out on their education. I think it’s much better to be able to see than worry about outdated opinions.”
Despite the incident, Ryan maintained a positive outlook on her Jeopardy! experience. She finished second in her game, losing by just $1 to Ian Taylor, a food sales representative from Cleveland, Ohio. “I had a great time,” she said. “Everybody there was very welcoming.”
From Record-Breakers to Romance
While Jeopardy! has had its share of controversies, it also continues to bring people together in remarkable ways. For Roger Craig and Julia Collins, what started as a shared love of trivia turned into something much more meaningful—a love story built on intellect, competition, and mutual admiration.
As Jeopardy! continues to challenge and inspire contestants, it’s clear that sometimes, the greatest prize isn’t just the money—it’s the connections made along the way.
