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Princeton University Alumnus To Appear On 'Jeopardy!' All-Star

David Madden is a 19-game 'Jeopardy!' winner, the 3rd longest in the show's history. His team is in the tournament finals next week.

Alexis Tarrazi,Patch Staff

PRINCETON, NJ — David Madden has made answering, and asking, questions his life.

Madden, a Ridgewood resident and Princeton University graduate, has turned his lifelong passion for questions and knowledge into money, fun, and helping others by appearing on "Jeopardy!"

Madden is one of 18 former contestants on six teams playing in the "Jeopardy!" All-Star tournament, the game's first team-based competition. He is a member of Team Brad, named after Brad Rutter, the biggest winner of the show's history, and his team's captain.

Rutter's team is one of three to earn a spot in the tournament's two-day final round airing Monday and Tuesday.

"It's been amazing and a lot of fun," Madden said of playing in the tournament. "It was so unexpected to get the call."

Madden won $432,400 over a 19-game winning streak on "Jeopardy!' in 2005, the third longest winning streak in the show's history.

Madden took the money he earned from his 2005 appearances and founded International Academic Competitions, which has established several national and international academic competitions, including the National Science Bee, International Geography Bee, and the National History Bee and Bowl.

Madden is good friends with his teammates. He met Larissa Kelly nearly 30 years ago while they were students at Princeton University and members of the school's Quiz Bowl team. He has known Rutter for 13 years.

Madden's love of questions and knowledge started at an early age.

Madden first watched "Jeopardy!" with a babysitter when he was 12. He would get more correct answers than his babysitter did.

Madden was captain of the Quiz Bowl and competed in the National Academic Championship and was named to its Hall of Fame. He was graduated from Princeton University in 2003 and earned a master's degree in international relations from the Free University of Berlin.

Madden also hiked the length of the United States — about 2,600 miles — to raise awareness for the Fisher House Foundation, a charitable organization that helps veterans and their families find affordable housing.

The hike was a "great adventure and to be able to do it for a great charity make it that much better," Madden said in an interview with "Jeopardy!" officials.

— ByDaniel Hubbard, Patch Staff

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