Barrington High alum Liam Starnes returns to ‘Jeopardy!’ for Tournament of Champions

A former Barrington-area resident who found success on “Jeopardy!” last year will be featured in Monday’s episode, which marks the start of the annual Tournament of Champions.

Liam Starnes is among 21 contestants in the tournament, which pits the best players from the previous season against each other for a $250,000 prize. The first player to win three games will be crowned champion.

Starnes, who couldn’t be reached for comment Friday, grew up in Barrington and North Barrington. A 2021 Barrington High School graduate and 2025 graduate of the University of Chicago, he now lives in Ohio and works as a payment program manager.

Starnes won six consecutive games of “Jeopardy!” last year. Five wins got him into the Tournament of Champions.

Some “Jeopardy!” fans gave Starnes the nickname “Baby Shark” for his youthful appearance and skill at the game.

Monday’s game features Starnes, attorney Tom Devlin of Washington, D.C., and sports broadcaster Aaron Devine of Seattle. It’ll air at 3:30 p.m. on ABC 7.