With thousands of show contestants over the years, there are plenty of other notable winners. Some of the other most successful “Jeopardy!” players of all time include Jason Zhuffranieri, a math teacher who won more than $500,000 in 2019; David Madden, who won over $430,000 in 2005; and Julia Collins, who, before Amy Schneider’s run, was the most successful woman on the show when she earned $428,000 in 2014 (via Esquire).
Keep in mind, though, that winning $428,000 doesn’t mean a contestant takes home $428,000. Game show earnings, like all other income, are taxed in the United States, in this case at particularly high federal tax rates of up to 37%, according to Forbes. In addition, winnings are subject to state income taxes, which means game show earnings can be subjected to total tax rates of over 50%. That means that, though these winners will still come home with hefty sums, they don’t go home with quite that same number that appears on your TV screen.
