Fans Draw Parallels Between Jeopardy! Star and Sheldon Cooper

CHICAGO, Ill. — Liam Starnes, a contestant on Jeopardy!, has captured the attention of fans due to his striking resemblance to the beloved television character Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. As of April 21, 2025, Starnes has accumulated $52,802 over two episodes and is set to compete again on April 22.

Starnes, an undergraduate student studying data science and statistics at the University of Chicago, has also made a name for himself as the vice president of his college bowl team and was recognized on the dean’s list in 2022.

During a recent episode, Starnes revealed his fond childhood memory of hosting a Jeopardy!-themed birthday party, complete with decorations and a game round with guests. He humorously noted that he was born during host Ken Jennings‘ first run on Jeopardy! 20 years ago. Starnes even showcased a photograph of himself on the International Space Station, highlighting his diverse interests.

Fans quickly noted his resemblance to Sheldon Cooper, with social media buzzing with comments. One user wrote, “I thought Liam bears a resemblance to Dr. Sheldon Cooper,” while another added, “Liam looks like a real-life Sheldon Cooper #jeopardy.” The comparisons continued, with one fan quipping, “Big time Sheldon Cooper vibes from Liam #jeopardy,” noting that the character famously has an older brother, George, which opens the door for Starnes to humorously be imagined as Sheldon’s younger sibling.

Sheldon Cooper, portrayed by Jim Parsons in The Big Bang Theory and Iain Armitage in Young Sheldon, is characterized as a genius with a Ph.D. in theoretical physics. Fans adore the fictional character’s quirks and intellect, which may further explain the audience’s fascination with Starnes, who has demonstrated his own academic talents.

In another segment of the show, another contestant, Andrew Hayes, a law student from Tupelo, Mississippi, openly addressed the pressure of competing on Jeopardy! after experiencing a challenging round that left him with an enormous loss. He entered the episode with $98,603 but stumbled early, which he later expressed frustration about on social media.

“This was an absolutely brutal set of questions for me,” Hayes shared online, resonating with viewers who often empathize with the contestants’ pressures during the game. His experience serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of quizzing on television and the unpredictability of trivia.

As fans continue to rally around emerging talent on Jeopardy!, the show remains a staple in American pop culture, allowing both contestants and audiences to connect through their shared love for trivia and friendly competition.