Jeopardy! champ from Arlington Heights eyes return to show

Four-time Jeopardy! champion Tony Fox came up a bit short of retaining his title Wednesday, but the Arlington Heights resident impressed enough that he could be back on the television game show later this year.

Despite correctly answering Wednesday's Final Jeopardy question — about leatherback turtles — he wagered only a small amount and wound up in third place for the day.

“I had lost the Final Jeopardy question all four times, and still won,” Fox said. “This time I figured I'd go conservative.”

Despite the outcome, Fox said he has no regrets.

“Every bit of it was fun,” Fox said. “It was a great run.”

The insurance account executive came away with more than $54,000 after winning the show four consecutive days, though he figures he will keep just 49 percent of it after taxes.

That's no problem, he said. Fox already realized a dream when he used his winnings to buy a new banjo made of inlaid wood and mother-of-pearl trim. His wife, Kay Jean, is happy too, figuring they have enough prize earnings left over to build a new flagstone patio.

But Fox may not be done yet. As a four-time champion, he stands a good chance of being invited back next fall to compete in Jeopardy!'s Tournament of Champions.

“It's for multiple winners or really big prize winners,” Fox said. “There aren't as many big prize winners, so it kind of depends on how many multiple winners there are. But typically, four-game winners are invited.

“I've got my fingers crossed,” he added. “It sure would be fun.”

A return trip means he'd have to prepare again, cramming extra hard on subjects he knows little about, including the English monarchy, Bible history and Christian saints. Science questions, he knows hands down.

“I know a little about a ton of stuff,” said Fox, who was a top student at Round Lake High School and then studied biomedical engineering at the University of Illinois before finishing up in political science.

“Growing up, my parents always had a book open,” he said. “It was expected in our house to always be reading. As a result, I read a ton, and fortunately, it sticks.”

Fox also is something of a lifelong learner. He has taken cooking classes and photography through continuing education courses, and participates in the Barrington Writers' Workshop.

Yet, it seems his brush with fame has not gone to his head. So far, he has not been recognized at stores, and except for some good-natured ribbing from colleagues at work, his life has not changed.

“It's funny, though,” Fox said, “All of a sudden, I'm getting lots of friend requests on Facebook.”