Buzzy Cohen
Austin David "Buzzy" Cohen (born March 5, 1985) is a recording music industry executive and trivia enthusiast from Los Angeles, California best known for his association with the game show Jeopardy!. Cohen was the Grand Champion of the 2017 Tournament of Champions and later appeared in the All-Star Games in 2019 and as a guest host for the show's 2021 Tournament of Champions following host Alex Trebek's death.
Buzzy Cohen | |
---|---|
Born | Austin David Cohen March 5, 1985 |
Education | Columbia University (BA) |
Alma mater | Pingry School |
Occupation |
|
Known for | Jeopardy! 2017 Tournament of Champions winner |
Spouse(s) | Elisa Levin (m. 2011) |
Personal life and education
Cohen grew up in Millburn, New Jersey.[1] He graduated from the Pingry School in 2003,[2][3] and received his BA from Columbia College of Columbia University in 2007.[4][5][6] Cohen is married to Elisa Levin.[7][8]
Jeopardy! appearances
Cohen won $164,603 over nine games in April and May 2016.[9] Many of his victories were guaranteed victories, which allowed Cohen to wager nothing and use his final response to make sarcastic remarks toward Alex Trebek, a humorous style that earned him both praise and disdain from Jeopardy! fans.[10][11] He later returned for the 2017 Tournament of Champions, which he won, collecting the grand prize of $250,000.
Cohen appeared again in the 2019 Jeopardy! All-Star Games relay tournament.
Following Trebek's death, Cohen hosted the May 2021 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions.[12][13]
Other appearances
Cohen joined the cast of the American version of The Chase in 2022, joining as a Chaser as a replacement for the departing Ken Jennings.[14]
References
- DeSisto, Danielle. "Former Millburn resident is current champion on Jeopardy!", The Item of Millburn and Short Hills, May 26, 2016. Accessed April 25, 2022. "Township native Austin 'Buzzy' Cohen says he applied to be on the hit quiz show, Jeopardy! on a whim."
- "Buzzy Cohen '03 Wins 'Jeopardy!' Tournament". www.pingry.org. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "Career Day Returns to Pingry with Keynote Speaker Buzzy Cohen '03". www.pingry.org. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "The Buzz Behind Jeopardy's Austin "Buzzy" Cohen CC'07". Columbia College Alumni Association. 2016-06-03. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "Alumni in the News". Columbia College Today. 2018-01-16. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "Talking Jeopardy!, Mental Illness and Living with Loss". American Jewish University. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "Buzzy & Elisha". ARQ | Live more Jew-ish. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "The Rabbi's Daughter". HuffPost. 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- Anstey, Evan (May 27, 2016). "Confident 9-day Jeopardy! champion causes divide among viewers". WIVB. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- We need to talk about Buzzy Cohen, divisive reigning Jeopardy! champ. TheWrap.com. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- People are losing their minds over this "Jeopardy!" champion. BuzzFeed. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- Alexandra Del Rosario (April 14, 2021). "Jeopardy! Taps Buzzy Cohen As Host For 2021 Tournament Of Champions". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- "Jeopardy!': Tournament of Champions Host Buzzy Cohen Would Poke Fun at Alex Trebek in Final Rounds". Outsider. May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- Rosy Cordero (March 15, 2022). "ABC Sets 3 Unscripted Show Premiere Dates: Holey Moley, The Chase & Who Do You Believe?". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 15, 2022.