Fans Compare Jeopardy! Contestant to Sheldon Cooper in Viral Moment

CHICAGO, Illinois — Liam Starnes, a contestant on Jeopardy!, has captured the attention of fans for his striking resemblance to the beloved character Sheldon Cooper from the TV series The Big Bang Theory. During his appearance on the show on April 21, Starnes showcased his knowledge and personality, accumulating a total of $52,802 over two episodes. He is set to return for his third game on April 22.

Starnes, a Barrington, Illinois, native and undergraduate student at the University of Chicago, studies data science and statistics. He previously achieved honors as a vice president of the college bowl and made the dean’s list in 2022.

Fans took to social media to express their thoughts on Starnes’ resemblance to Sheldon, with one user commenting, “I thought Liam bears a resemblance to Dr. Sheldon Cooper.” Others echoed this sentiment, with posts such as “Liam looks like a real-life Sheldon Cooper” and “Big time Sheldon Cooper vibes from Liam.” This social media buzz was enough to ignite discussions about Starnes’ potential as Sheldon’s younger brother, despite the character only having an older sibling.

In a light-hearted moment, Starnes shared that he once hosted a Jeopardy!-themed birthday party as a child, and even humorously noted that he was born around the same time as the show’s original run. Starnes also mentioned having a unique photograph of himself on the International Space Station, showcasing his diverse interests and talents.

The episode on April 21 highlighted Starnes’ approachable and cheerful demeanor, which likely contributed to viewers’ fond comparisons. “Liam reminds me of Sheldon Cooper in the most loving way,” one fan said, while others playfully acknowledged a connection to other characters from the series.

In related Jeopardy! news, contestant Andrew Hayes faced a challenging episode the same week, ultimately securing his fifth consecutive win. Hayes, a law student from Tupelo, Mississippi, previously accumulated $98,603 and overcame difficulties in a fierce competition featuring Thomas Wilson, a teacher from Taylors, South Carolina, and Dondi DeMarco, an operations executive from New York City.

Despite some missteps, such as losing $1,000 on a Daily Double, Hayes’ strategic gameplay propelled him to victory with a final score of $19,201, bringing his total to $117,804. Fans expressed support for all contestants, especially Thomas, who candidly addressed his tough experience during the game.

The camaraderie among contestants and the audience reminds many viewers of the shared love for Jeopardy!, which has seen contestants not only excel in trivia but also share personal milestones, like Hayes’ romantic anecdotes connected to the show. Overall, these moments contribute to the engaging and community-driven atmosphere that makes Jeopardy! a longstanding favorite among fans.