David Madden | |
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 Madden in 2025 | |
| Born | (1981-06-13)June 13, 1981 (age 44) Ridgewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Known for | |
| Spouse | |
David Charles "Dave" Madden (born June 13, 1981) is an Americangame show contestant, academic competition organizer, andart historian.[1] He is a former 19-day champion onJeopardy! and holds the eighth-longest streak inJeopardy! history.[2] When he established his streak in 2005, it was the second-longest inJeopardy! history, behindKen Jennings.[a]
He defeated theIBM Watson computer during beta testing atIBM headquarters twice.[3]
During his time atRidgewood High School inRidgewood, New Jersey, Madden competed on his school'sQuiz Bowl team, which he captained to a second-place finish at the 1999 National Academic Championship. Madden attendedPrinceton University, graduating as aWoodrow Wilson School major in 2003. He subsequently attended theFree University of Berlin and received a master's degree ininternational relations.[4]
Making his first appearance on the July 5, 2005, episode,[5] Madden continued on a winning streak until September 19, winning a total of 19 games and $432,400. He was defeated byVictoria Groce, a musician fromDecatur, Georgia.[6] During the 2006Tournament of Champions, Madden won his first-round match[7] (defeating the eventual winner of the Tournament, Michael Falk), but failed to win his semifinal match,[8] taking home a consolation prize of $10,000 and bringing his total to $442,400.
Madden first watchedJeopardy! with a babysitter when he was 11–12 years old. Madden would get the correct response to more clues than his babysitter. Madden claims to have studied a great deal in preparation for the show. Madden's parents did not realize he was going to be onJeopardy! until his first game aired.[9]
Madden's streak of 19 wins in regular games was the second-longest inJeopardy! history (after Jennings). He was later surpassed byJulia Collins (20 wins in 2014),James Holzhauer (32, 2019),Matt Amodio (38, 2021),Amy Schneider (40, 2022),Mattea Roach (23, 2022), andCris Pannullo (21 games, 2022). Madden now has the eighth-longestJeopardy! winning streak tied with Jason Zuffranieri. His total winnings in regular games of $432,400 were also the second-highest (after Jennings) until being surpassed by Holzhauer, Amodio, Schneider, Roach, and Pannullo. Madden currently has the seventh-highest total winnings including tournament play.[10]
Madden was invited to take part in 2014's Battle of the DecadesJeopardy! event but declined due to contractual issues. However, he was invited and was able to participate in the 2019Jeopardy! All-Star Games tournament featuring 18 past champions.[11] In September 2018, Madden was selected as the seventh out of 12 picks in the All-Star Games Draft, becoming a member of "Team Brad", led by the all-timeJeopardy! winnings leader,Brad Rutter. Their other teammate was Madden's former Princeton University Quiz Bowl teammateLarissa Kelly, who was the sixth pick in the draft.[12]
Team Brad won their first-round match[13] and in the final episode, airing on March 5, 2019, won the tournament and the grand prize of $1,000,000, which was split between the three team members.[14][15] After Madden's share of the prize, his all-timeJeopardy! earnings totaled $775,733.33.
In 2024, Madden participated in theJeopardy! Invitational Tournament (JIT). He won his first-round match,[16] but failed to win his semifinal match,[17] taking home an additional $10,000 and bringing his all-timeJeopardy! earnings to $785,733.33.
From July 2007 to February 2008, Madden hiked the length of the east coast of the United States as a fundraiser for theFisher House Foundation, a charity that provides free accommodations for family members of veterans at American military hospitals.[18]
In 2025, Madden appeared as a contestant on Season 3 of the American version of the game showThe Floor with the category of European Geography and won $10,000, placing third overall.[19][20]
He is also an ambassador with theRainforest Alliance. In 2021, he launched the National Environmental Science Exam as a benefit project for the Rainforest Alliance, aiming to raise awareness and support for rainforest conservation.[21]
He is a co-author of the catalogueRichard Anuszkiewicz: Paintings and Sculptures 1945-2001(2010).[22]
He was named a distinguished alumnus ofRidgewood High School.[23]
Madden is the founder, owner, and executive director of International Academic Competitions (IAC).[24] IAC's competitions include the for-profitNational History Bee,National Geography Bee,National Science Bee,National History Bowl, National Geography Bowl,United States History Bee, United States Geography Bee, United States Geography Championships, National Academic Bowl, National Academic Bee, National Political Science Bee, National Championship Exams, Introduction to Model United Nations, and United States Spelling Championships.[25] IAC also oversees three World Championship events: theInternational History Olympiad, the International Geography Championships, and the International Science Championships.[21]
| Preceded by | BiggestJeopardy! winners by season 2005–06 Took place over two seasons 1–14 in 2004–05, 15–19 in 2005–06 | Succeeded by Mehrun Etebari |
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| National | |
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