Fairfield Native Wins Big On 'Jeopardy!'

FAIRFIELD, CT — As a child growing up in Fairfield, Mihir Nene watched “Jeopardy!” every day and played along.

All that practice paid off — literally — last week, when he appeared as a contestant on the show and won, taking home nearly $27,000.

“It was just such an incredible experience, the whole thing — meeting the producers, (host) Ken (Jennings), the Clue Crew folks,” Nene said. “There’s a real camaraderie that developed with all the contestants.”

Nene, 23, won last Tuesday’s episode when he went from third place to champion by risking almost all his winnings and correctly answering a Final Jeopardy question about the nickname Napoleon Bonaparte was given by his troops — The Little Corporal.

After winning $24,999 his first night, Nene came in second on Wednesday’s show, and received an additional $2,000.

“The whole taping experience happened so fast,” said Nene, who shares a birthday with late longtime “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek.

Nene attended Fairfield Ludlowe High School and went on to graduate from UConn with a degree in mechanical engineering before moving to New York state and taking a job at Rochester Gas & Electric.

He watched his winning episode at the place where he hones his trivia skills — The Beer Market in Rochester.

“Ever since college, I don’t think I’ve missed a trivia Tuesday,” Nene said.

Nene tried out for “Jeopardy!” with an online test, followed by a Zoom audition, he said.

“I think one of the parts that was different about it being on this year, and COVID, was that they had very strict COVID policies,” he said, adding contestants were required to take a PCR test, wear a face mask on set and stay outside the studio building until taping began. “That was a little bit nerve-wracking.”

When the episode aired, Nene received an outpouring of support from friends and family in Fairfield.

“I got texts and calls from everyone,” he said. “My parents were super excited about it.”

And what will Nene do with his winnings?

“Honestly, I have no idea yet,” he said, adding some of the money may go toward a trip to New Zealand.