ACTRESS JANE KACZMAREK IS VICTORIOUS IN THE
“JEOPARDY!” MILLION DOLLAR CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL
WINNING $50,000 FOR CHARITY

"I profess I have a secret about the buzzer, but it’s going with me to the grave!"
-Jane Kaczmarek

Watch the exclusive post-game interview here!

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (November 19, 2009) – TV actress Jane Kaczmarek, currently starring on TNT’s critically-acclaimed drama series “Raising the Bar,” prevailed in this week’s quarterfinals of the Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Tournament. As a result of her win, her charity Clothes Off Our Back will receive $50,000 and Kaczmarek will remain in the tournament.

Kaczmarek defeated actress Julie Bowen (ABC’s “Modern Family”), who won $25,000 on behalf of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and news anchor Robin Quivers (“The Howard Stern Show”), who earned $25,000 for The SEED School of Maryland.

When asked about her impressive victory, Kaczmarek said, “I am so happy, I can’t believe I won!  I’ve been addicted to Jeopardy! for most of my life.  I’ve had two dreams in my life – to win Jeopardy! and to win the Miss America Pageant.”

Immediately following the show, Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek surprised Kaczmarek by donating one of his custom-tailored suits and an autographed tie to her charity Clothes Off Our Back, a foundation that hosts charity auctions showcasing celebrity attire with proceeds going to benefit children’s charities.

Kaczmarek joins winners Andy Richter and Michael McKean in advancing to this spring’s semifinals and a chance to play for the $1 million grand prize. 

The Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitationalwill play host to 27 popular TV stars, newsmakers and pop culture icons competing in a series of nine quarterfinal games. These special episodes will be broadcast on the third Thursday of every month through May 2010, with a guaranteed cash prize of $1 million going to the winning star’s favorite charity. A total of over $2.5 million will be donated throughout the season.

Jeopardy!, the winner of 28 Emmy awards since its debut in 1984, was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most awards won by a TV Game Show. The series is the #1-rated quiz show in syndication with nearly 9 million daily viewers. Jeopardy! is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Television International, both units of CBS Corp.