Jeopardy! Contestant Reveals He Lived in RV Before Game Show Winnings

Will Yancey used his Jeopardy! prize money to buy a house and get a riding lawnmower.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Jeopardy! contestant Will Yancey, from Gadsden, Alabama, revealed during a recent episode that he and his wife had been living in an RV before his game show winnings allowed them to purchase a house. Yancey won a total of $82,000 from his appearances on the show, which he used to make a down payment on a new home and buy a riding lawnmower for the yard.

Why it matters

Yancey's story highlights how life-changing Jeopardy! winnings can be for contestants, allowing them to achieve the 'American dream' of homeownership. His experience also resonates with many viewers who may be struggling to afford housing or make ends meet.

The details

During an interview segment on the show, host Ken Jennings asked Yancey what he did with his Jeopardy! winnings. Yancey revealed that he had won a total of $82,000 from his appearances on the show, including $2,000 for third place in September 2024, $35,000 for winning the Second Chance Tournament, $40,000 for second place in the Champions Wildcard Tournament, and $5,000 for third place in the Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament. Yancey said he used this money to put a down payment on a house for himself and his wife, who had previously been living in an RV as they tried to save money and pay off debt.

  • Yancey won $2,000 for third place in September 2024.
  • Yancey won $35,000 for winning the Second Chance Tournament in 2024.
  • Yancey won $40,000 for second place in the Champions Wildcard Tournament in 2024.
  • Yancey won $5,000 for third place in the Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament in 2026.

The players

Will Yancey

A Jeopardy! contestant from Gadsden, Alabama who used his game show winnings to purchase a house and a riding lawnmower.

Ken Jennings

The host of Jeopardy! who interviewed Yancey about his winnings and living situation.

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What they’re saying

“You dropped this, Will 👑”

— Geoff Barnes, Jeopardy! contestant (Jeopardy! (Instagram)

“Love ya, brother!”

— Will Yancey (Jeopardy! (Instagram)

The takeaway

Yancey's story demonstrates how life-changing Jeopardy! winnings can be, allowing contestants to achieve major financial goals like buying a home. His experience resonates with many viewers who may be struggling with housing affordability and debt, showing how game show prizes can provide a pathway to the 'American dream' of homeownership.