David Madden (Jeopardy! Contestant)

David Charles "Dave" Madden (born June 13, 1981) is an American game show contestant, academic competition organizer, and art historian. He is a former 19-day champion on ''Jeopardy!'' and holds the eighth-longest streak in ''Jeopardy!'' history (tied with Jason Zuffranieri and behind only Ken Jennings, Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, James Holzhauer, Mattea Roach, Cris Pannullo, and Julia Collins in this respect).

Madden is the founder, owner, and executive director of International Academic Competitions (IAC). IAC's competitions include the for-profit National 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. IAC also oversees three World Championship events: the International History Olympiad, the International Geography Championships, and the International Science Championships.

Early life

During his time at Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Madden competed on his school's Quiz Bowl team, which he captained to a second-place finish at the 1999 National Academic Championship. Madden attended Princeton University, graduating as a Woodrow Wilson School major in 2003. He subsequently attended the Free University of Berlin and received a master's degree in international relations.

''Jeopardy!''

Making his first appearance on the July 5, 2005 episode, Madden continued on a winning streak until September 19, winning a total of 19 games and $432,400. He was defeated by Victoria Groce, a musician from Decatur, Georgia. During the 2006 Tournament of Champions, Madden won his first-round match (defeating the eventual winner of the Tournament, Michael Falk), but failed to win his semifinal match, taking home a consolation prize of $10,000 and bringing his total to $442,400.

Madden first watched ''Jeopardy!'' 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 on ''Jeopardy!'' until his first game aired.

Madden's streak of 19 wins in regular games was the second-longest in ''Jeopardy!'' history (after Jennings). He was later surpassed by Julia Collins (20 wins in 2014), James Holzhauer (32, 2019), Matt Amodio (38, 2021), Amy Schneider (40, 2022), Mattea Roach (23, 2022), and Cris Pannullo (21 games, 2022). Madden now has the eighth-longest ''Jeopardy!'' 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.

Madden was invited to take part in 2014's Battle of the Decades ''Jeopardy!'' event but declined due to contractual issues. However, he was invited and was able to participate in the 2019 ''Jeopardy!'' All-Star Games tournament featuring 18 past champions. 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-time ''Jeopardy!'' winnings leader, Brad Rutter. Their other teammate was Madden's former Princeton University Quiz Bowl teammate Larissa Kelly, who was the sixth pick in the draft.

Team Brad won their first-round match 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. After Madden's share of the prize, his all-time ''Jeopardy!'' earnings totaled $775,733.33.

In 2024, Madden participated in the ''Jeopardy!'' Invitational Tournament (JIT). He won his first-round match, but failed to win his semifinal match, taking home an additional $10,000 and bringing his all-time ''Jeopardy!'' earnings to $785,733.33.

Other work

From July 2007 to February 2008, Madden hiked the length of the east coast of the United States as a fundraiser for the Fisher House Foundation, a charity that provides free accommodations for family members of veterans at American military hospitals.

In 2025, Madden appeared as a contestant on Season 3 of the American version of the game show '' The Floor'' with the category of European Geography and won $10,000, placing third overall.

See also

* List of ''Jeopardy!'' contestants

References

External links

Madden's personal blog detailing his hike

Competitions that are a part of IAC

{{DEFAULTSORT:Madden, David
1981 births
Contestants on American game shows
Living people
People from Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood High School (New Jersey) alumni
Princeton University alumni
Free University of Berlin alumni
American art historians
Historians from New Jersey