Here's What Happened To These 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' Contestants Who Won Big
Among the longest running game shows of all time, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire has inevitably produced a selection of big winners. Many of us dream of reputation and fortune, which is a part of makes the show so well-liked. For the ones lucky sufficient to win big dollars on the hit display, their ensuing lives are not necessarily filled with endless recreational and luxury.
Although there's a massive fanfare when contestants achieve the almighty 15th question and answer correctly, lots of the winners move on to lead rather standard lives unaffected via riches. For others, their fortune was cut brief by tragedy. Meanwhile, there are a number of contestants who used the chance to realize their lifelong desires. Here's what happened to these contestants who won big.
10 John Carpenter
In 1999, John Carpenter become the primary ever contestant to win $1 million. Amazingly, he managed to succeed in the fantastic feat of now not the use of any lifelines, despite the fact that he did call his dad for the last question, no longer for help, but to proudly tell him that he used to be about to grow to be a millionaire.
Following his win, he guest starred on Saturday Night Live along "Donald Trump", parodied by way of Darrell Hammond long earlier than Alec Baldwin would transform famous for the role. He additionally wrote a ebook about his quizzing skills and has appeared on a large number of different recreation shows, including Super Millionaire.
9 Dan Blonsky
Miami-based legal professional Dan Blonsky turned into the 2nd contestant to win the million, after accurately answering a question about the Earth's distance from the solar.
Following his look on the display in 2000, Blonsky has continued to paintings on the same law firm where he was once employed at the time of his win. Clearly unfazed by his $1 million fortune, it's commendable that Blonsky kept himself grounded by way of not quitting his task.
8 John Trela
When Joe Trela won $1 million in 2003, he technically became a half-a-millionaire, as his winnings were taxed and $460,000 subsequently went to the government. Rather than residing a lifetime of luxury with his money, he opted to help his circle of relatives instead.
Trela faithful his time to a lot of altruistic endeavors: he bought his brother a home, paid for his other brother's college charges, and helped his mom care for his third brother, who has cerebral palsy, and his Alzheimer's-afflicted grandmother. Additionally, he aided Queen Latifah together with his quzzing experience via being her Phone a Friend at the show's celebrity addition.
7 Kim Hunt
A schoolteacher at the time of his win on Millionaire in 2000, Kim Hunt always had a interest for images. Thanks to his win, he used to be able to pursue his hobby as a business. Hunt's images is concentrated on the Mississippi panorama and he now sells his pictures at the local farmer's market and thru his web page.
6 Kevin Smith
The first top prize winner on the syndicated model, Kevin Smith grabbed $1 million in 2003 after correctly answering a question concerning the inspiration for "Uncle Sam". Famously, he was incredibly stoic when Meredith Vieira declared him the winner.
Following his win, the then 52-year-old retired truck driving force handled himself to some new clothes, but he did not live a life of luxurious. Instead, Smith trustworthy his time to expanding his wisdom ever additional. According to a profile by means of the LA Times, he still lived in his one bedroom condo after profitable the million bucks. There are reports that he passed away in 2017.
5 Kevin Olmstead
The biggest winner of all time, Kevin Olmstead took home $2,180,000 in 2001, after the display greater its prize money via $10,000 for each and every show that ended without a winner.
He currently works as an environmental engineer and has a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, however he hasn't deserted quizzing. Recognized for his experience in the box, Olmstead is the founding member of National Academic Quiz Tournaments and also seemed on the sport display Grand Slam.
4 Nancy Christy
The simplest girl to have ever won the top prize, Nancy Christy took house $1 million in 2003 after correctly answering a question about the vintage painting American Gothic. A schoolteacher, Christy's existence was unaffected by her win, except purchasing a luxurious sports activities automotive as a deal with.
According to her RelatedIn profile, she retired in 2015 after virtually 17 years of operating in the Tulsa public school device and is currently playing retired lifestyles.
3 Ed Toutant
Another contestant who won big greenbacks, engineer Ed Toutant went house with $1,860,000 in 2001. He had in truth in the past gave the impression at the display, however left with $1,000 after answering his $16,000 query incorrectly. However, it was came upon that the question used to be improper, so Toutant used to be invited again on.
Following his win, he was energetic on Twitter, regularly posting about quizzes and his favourite song. Sadly, he died in 2018 simply a month shy of his 67th birthday following a fight with most cancers.
2 Robert Essig
During the "Super Millionaire" model of the show in 2004, advertising specialist Robert Essig walked away with $1 million out of a conceivable $10 million.
Following his win, he continued to help out on the Lighted Cross Lutheran Church in Ohio, where he served as a board member. Tragically, he kicked the bucket in health center in 2019, elderly simply 48.
1 Sam Murray
Sam Murray gave the impression at the show two times, first profitable $50,000, then successful $1 million in his 2nd stint in 2009. At the time of his look, he were receiving unemployment advantages after having worked as a bartender in Philadelphia for many years.
After his win, he told host Meredith Vieira that he planned on residing life to the full and would move skydiving. But he also said that he sought after to use his newfound fortune for excellent via going back to faculty and getting a nursing stage.
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