Berman appeared on six episodes of the long-running game show in 1987.

Eric Berman, Jeopardy 4-time champion, dies at 60 after battle with cancer

Berman appeared on six episodes of the long-running game show in 1987.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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December 12, 2025 3:35 p.m. ET

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Eric Berman. Credit:

Randall & Roberts Funeral Homes

Eric Berman, a *Jeopardy* alum who won four times on the show in 1987, has died. He was 60.

Berman died Dec. 5 after a nearly 19-year battle with cancer, according to an obituary posted online by his family.

During his time on the competitive game show, Berman won four games, racking up cash winnings of $37,101 and his & hers Daniel Mink Cobra Collection watches, according to J-Archive. His winning streak came to an end during game five on July 8, when the final Jeopardy question about the Kennedy Center stumped all three contestants. David Peterman was subsequently declared the game's winner, claiming the title of champion going forward.

The former 93 WIBC reporter went on to compete in that year’s Tournament of Champions, where he made it to the semifinals. He was defeated by Bob Verini, who went on to win the tournament.

In 2024, Berman competed on*Trivial Pursuit* and won $20,000. He also competed in national trivia tournaments, finishing in the top five internationally several times.

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Born March 5, 1965 in Crown Point, Ind., Berman attended Indiana University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in journalism. After graduation, he went on to work at WIOU in Kokomo, WOWO in Fort Wayne, and WIBC in Indianapolis. As a reporter in Indiana, he covered six governors. His reports were broadcast to scores of stations across the state on Network Indiana.

Berman was named a Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana’s highest civilian honor, in 2022 by Governor Eric Holcomb. That same year, he was laid off from 93 WIBC and went on to work for the Indiana State Medical Association, where he was a communications director.

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According to his obituary, he was a lifelong fan of Broadway and the Chicago Cubs, as well as a longtime member of the National Puzzlers’ League. He taught LSAT classes to students aspiring to go to law school after being granted a full ride to attend the UCLA law school but turning it down due to health reasons.

Berman is survived by his wife of 36 years, Christine, a former reporter at the *Kokomo Tribune*, and their 22-year-old son, Christian.

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