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 winner 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 longtime host Alex Trebek's death.

Not to be confused with Buz Kohan.
Buzzy Cohen
Born
Austin David Cohen

(1985-03-05) March 5, 1985
Short Hills, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationColumbia University (BA)
Alma materPingry School
Occupations
  • game show contestant
  • game show host
Known forJeopardy! 2017 Tournament of Champions winner
"The Stunner" on The Chase
Spouse
Elisha Levin
​
(m. 2011)​
Children2

Early life

Cohen grew up in Millburn, New Jersey.[1] He graduated from the Pingry School in 2003,[2][3] and graduated from Columbia College of Columbia University with a BA in music in 2007.[4][5][6]

Career

Jeopardy! appearances

Cohen won $164,603 over nine games in April and May 2016.[7] 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 Cohen both praise and disdain from Jeopardy! fans.[8][9] 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. His team went home with $75,000 after losing the wild card match.

Following Trebek's death, Cohen hosted the May 2021 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions, being the youngest Jeopardy! host at age 36.[10][11]

Since 2022, Cohen has appeared as a recurring guest on the Inside Jeopardy! podcast hosted by current Jeopardy! showrunners Michael Davies and Sarah Whitcomb Foss.[12]

In September 2022, Cohen appeared as a Clue Giver in the category "Fashion with Buzzy Cohen" during the Triple Jeopardy! round on the first episode Celebrity Jeopardy! on ABC.[13]

On September 29, 2022, Cohen hosted the inaugural Jeopardy! Honors event alongside Sarah Whitcomb Foss.[14]

Since April 2023, Cohen began hosting a podcast about the quiz show entitled This is Jeopardy!: The Story of America's Favorite Quiz Show for Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television.[15]

Other appearances

In April and May 2020, Cohen appeared on the revival of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire on ABC as a lifeline for comedian Hannibal Burress.[16][17]

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.[18] His Chaser name is "The Stunner".[19] Fellow Chaser James Holzhauer described Cohen's playing style and persona as "happy-go-lucky", compared to Holzhauer's own cutthroat, villain-like role.[20]

Personal life

Cohen has been married to Elisha Levin since 2011.[21][22] They have two daughters.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2016-2021Jeopardy!Himself35 episodes
2020Who Wants to Be a MillionaireHimself2 episodes
2022The ChaseHimself2 episodes
Celebrity Jeopardy!Clue Giver1 episode
2022-presentInside Jeopardy!Guest21 episodes
2023This is Jeopardy!: The Story of America's Favorite Quiz ShowHimself6 episodes

References
  1. DeSisto, Danielle (May 26, 2016). "Former Millburn resident is current champion on Jeopardy!". The Item of Millburn and Short Hills. Retrieved April 25, 2022. Township native Austin 'Buzzy' Cohen says he applied to be on the hit quiz show, Jeopardy! on a whim.
  2. Waxberg, Greg (November 20, 2017). "Buzzy Cohen '03 Wins 'Jeopardy!' Tournament". www.pingry.org. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  3. Lisovicz, Ed (February 1, 2022). "Career Day Returns to Pingry with Keynote Speaker Buzzy Cohen '03". www.pingry.org. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  4. "The Buzz Behind Jeopardy's Austin "Buzzy" Cohen CC'07". Columbia College Alumni Association. June 3, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  5. "Alumni in the News". Columbia College Today. January 16, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  6. "Talking Jeopardy!, Mental Illness and Living with Loss". American Jewish University. December 17, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  7. Anstey, Evan (May 27, 2016). "Confident 9-day Jeopardy! champion causes divide among viewers". WIVB. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  8. Donnelly, Matt (May 24, 2016). "We need to talk about Buzzy Cohen, divisive reigning Jeopardy! champ". TheWrap.com. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  9. Velez, All (May 25, 2016). "People are losing their minds over this 'Jeopardy!' champion". BuzzFeed. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  10. Alexandra Del Rosario (April 14, 2021). "Jeopardy! Taps Buzzy Cohen As Host For 2021 Tournament Of Champions". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  11. Jamison, John (May 18, 2021). "Jeopardy!': Tournament of Champions Host Buzzy Cohen Would Poke Fun at Alex Trebek in Final Rounds". Outsider. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  12. "Inside Jeopardy!". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  13. "Primetime Celebrity Jeopardy! game #1 - Sunday, September 25, 2022". J! Archive. 26 September 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  14. Jeopardy! (September 29, 2022). "2022 Jeopardy! Honors Ceremony". YouTube. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  15. White, Peter (March 27, 2023). "'This is Jeopardy!' Podcast From Sony & Buzzy Cohen Explores History Of Classic Quiz Show". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  16. Tinwala, Yasmin (May 7, 2020). "'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire': Hannibal Burress and Katherine O'Hara take the hot seat for show's special run". Meaww.com. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  17. Rutland, Joe (May 22, 2021). "'Jeopardy!' Guest Host Buzzy Cohen Once Appeared on 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire'". Outsider. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  18. 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.
  19. "About the Chase TV Show Series". American Broadcasting Company.
  20. Fishman, Scott (2023-06-26). "James Holzhauer Judges Which Is Tougher: 'The Chase' or 'Jeopardy!'". TV Insider. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  21. "Buzzy & Elisha". ARQ | Live more Jew-ish. November 3, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  22. Levin, Elisha (October 27, 2011). "The Rabbi's Daughter". HuffPost. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
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