David Poltorak

David Poltorak is an Australian television game show contestant and question writer. He became the grand champion of Sale of the Century in 1986, setting a world record for winnings on a television game show at the time.[1] He later worked as a question writer for Sale of the Century,[2][3], The Einstein Factor,[4] Temptation,[4] Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?[5][6][4] and Millionaire Hot Seat. He will appear as a chaser on The Chase Australia in 2024.[7]

Early life

Poltorak was a part-time taxi driver before he applied for Sale of the Century in 1986.[1] He had a taxi license, which he gained in 1976.[2] He has been interested in game shows since he was a child.[6] He was also script writer for Emoh Ruo in 1985.[3]

Sale of the Century

Poltorak appeared on eight episodes of the Australian version of Sale of the Century in 1986, winning a grand total of A$376,200, including $244,000 in cash and $132,200 in prizes.[1][6][3] His total winnings were a world record for a television game show at the time, surpassing the previous record held by Michael Larson on Press Your Luck in 1984.[3]

Poltorak also set three records for Sale of the Century in Australia:

  • Highest number of questions answered correctly in one episode: 35 out of 55 (episode 1443).
  • Highest winning score: $200 (episode 1443).[2]
  • Most number of questions answered correctly in 60 second fast money: 16 (episode 1443).

Question writing

In 1991, Poltorak replaced Fran Powell as the question writer and adjudicator for Sale of the Century,[2] after an offer from the game show's production company, Grundy Television.[3] He remained in this role until the show's cancellation in 2001. He then joined the question writing team for Temptation,[4] The Einstein Factor,[4] Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in Australia,[5][6][4] and later for its spin-off Millionaire Hot Seat.

The Chase Australia

In October 2023, it was reported that Poltorak will debut as a new chaser nicknamed "The Professor" on The Chase Australia in 2024.[7]

Poltorak previously appeared as a contestant in the first series of Beat the Chasers Australia in 2020.[7]

References
  1. Potts, John (20 November 1986). "Quiz King's party for hipsters and the arty". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Oliver, Robin (30 September 1991). "Quiz champ sold on Sale". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 56. Retrieved 20 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Cockington, James (17 June 1996). "Sold on the Sale". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 58. Retrieved 20 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Nicholson, Sarah (27 October 2005). "Master knows best". The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  5. Tarica, Elisabeth (29 May 2003). "Putting a million on the line". The Age. Archived from the original on 8 June 2003.
  6. Webber, John (24 March 2001). "David Poltorak: Won $376,000 in cash and prizes". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 356. Retrieved 20 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Knox, David (10 October 2023). "The Professor is coming to The Chase". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2023.


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