Jeopardy! Star James Hirsh’s Impressive Standout 

James Hirsh, a lawyer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, became a Jeopardy! standout in the February 2026 episodes. He debuted on February 24, 2026, challenging two-day champion Trey Hart from Petaluma, California, and Christa Fidel from Wellington, Florida. 

James Hirsh’s Jeopardy! Journey

The game featured intense competition, with strong performances across categories like sports, history, and landmarks. Hirsh found an early Daily Double in the “Who Wants Gum?” category, wagering a true Daily Double on a clue about Wrigley Field’s naming in 1926 after chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., he answered correctly, boosting his score significantly. 

The round ended with him in the lead at $5,600 after a late surge. In Double Jeopardy, he secured another Daily Double on clue 22, maintaining momentum. Entering Final Jeopardy (category: Short Stories), scores were Hirch $20,400, Hart $16,200, and Fidel $15,600. 

Read: Who Is Jeopardy Lauren Vincent’s Husband? Explore Her Wiki & Family Life

He wagered $12,018 confidently, ending with $32,418 to win and dethrone Hart (who finished at $24,200 after wagering $8,000; Fidel stayed at $15,600 after a $0 wager). Fans praised the high-scoring, dramatic match.

Impressive Jeopardy Return!

Hirsh returned on February 25, 2026, as a one-day champion with $32,418, facing Lauren Vincent from Boston and Kevin Kodama, a software engineer and former quiz bowl player from Seattle, Washington. 

He defended his title effectively in another solid performance. Entering Final Jeopardy (category: World Landmarks), Hirsh led with $20,400, Kodama had $5,000, and Vincent had $5,000. The clue involved identifying a landmark (responses pointed to the Parthenon or Lincoln Memorial). 

He wagered $5,400 safely, finishing with $15,000 for the win in what appeared to be a more controlled “runaway” game per fan commentary. Kodama wagered all $5,000 and ended at $0, while Vincent’s outcome was similarly low. This brought him cumulative winnings of $47,418 after two games. 

Also: Who Is Kevin Kodama? Everything We Know About The Jeopardy Contestant

Does James Hirsh Have A Wife?

James is a reticent personality. He prefers to keep a low-key life. Nothing much about the lawyer having a possible wife or likely being single is known in the media spectrum. 

He has been able to safeguard his personal life boundaries with much dignity. Unlike James, who is much more inclined towards his professional growth, citing his career, podcast work, and game show success.

James Hirsh Career Wiki & More 

Hirsh works as a lawyer in Toronto. Beyond law, he co-hosts the CJN (Canadian Jewish News) podcast Menschwarmers, focusing on Jewish perspectives in sports. 

He showcases his passion for athletics, trivia, and storytelling. This role likely honed his quick recall and engaging style seen on Jeopardy!.

At Last: Who Is Katie Pach? Everything We Know About The Jeopardy Contestant

James Hirsh Bio & Family: Wiki, Age & Parents 

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, James Hirsh is part of the city’s Jewish community. It is highlighted in celebratory posts from organizations like UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. 

The actual details of his real age and family are kept under wraps. He is proudly Jewish and actively involved in community media.