It’s not gambling if you know the answer! Check out these Latter-day Saints who’ve made their mark on the game show world.
1. Ken Jennings, who shattered Jeopardy! records
Perhaps no game show contestant has ever captivated the world quite like Ken Jennings did in 2004. A Church member from Utah, Jennings set a Jeopardy! record with 74 consecutive victories.
“Mormons don’t just believe, but actively teach that most of what you gain in this life you cannot take with you. One of the only things that you can gain that will come with you at some future time is not your bank account, not your car, but the stuff you learn, what you have in your head,” Jennings told LDS Living of his thirst for knowledge. “And I think that sank in when I was a kid—that my toys were temporary, but if I learned something, that could be forever.”
2. Donny Osmond, who hosted Pyramid
Donny Osmond, perhaps the most famous member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has enjoyed a career of tremendous variety. He rose to fame as the child star of the 1970s and has since starred on Broadway, DJ’ed a radio program, and won Dancing with the Stars. However, his most unique turn might have come from 2002 to 2004, when he hosted the game show Pyramid.
3. Ray Combs, who hosted Family Feud
After returning from his mission to Arizona, Ray Combs’ success as a stand-up comedian got him a job as the host of Family Feud. After finishing his seven-year contract in 1994, Combs hosted another game show called Family Challenge.
4. LDS Football Player Al Harrington, who appeared on To Tell the Truth
Al Harrington was the first high school All-American football player to come out of Hawaii. Because pro football players didn’t make as much money then as they do now, Harrington returned to Hawaii after graduating from Stanford in 1958 to become a Polynesian dancer—which led to his appearance on the popular game show To Tell The Truth. He went on to become a television actor and is best known for his role as Detective Ben Kokua on the hit show Hawaii Five-O.
5. BYU student Daniel LeFevre, who won six figures on Millionaire
Though not as famous as the other members of this list, former BYU student Daniel LeFevre has made his own mark on the game show world. In October 2014, LeFevre joined host Terry Crews on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and shared his faith multiple times during the broadcast. LeFevre, who taught Portuguese at the MTC, walked away with $100,000.