5 enjoyable details about Bessemer’s personal Jeopardy! champ

Clue: In 2025, this Bessemer native turned a long time of random information—and a critically attention-grabbing beard— into massive Jeopardy! bucks.

Answer: Who is Dargan Ware.

After almost 30 years of making an attempt, Dargan lastly snagged a spot on the Alex Trek stage—successful two video games, pocketing $47,801 and proving that shouting solutions at your TV can truly repay. 

We talked with Dargan to get the within scoop on his gameshow journey, his most memorable “oops” moments and what it’s prefer to be a neighborhood Jeopardy! champion. 

1. His trivia roots began with encyclopedias + a money incentive

Remember encyclopedias? The hardback wonders that held the world’s information earlier than Google existed?

Usually, they’d sit on a shelf gathering mud. For Dargan, these heavy books have been the beginning of a lifetime love of data and his journey to the Jeopardy! stage.  

At the age of 12, Dargan’s grandma challenged him to learn encyclopedias for $10 a quantity—adopted by a quiz on what he realized.  

Add in an eighth grade junior excessive quiz bowl and also you’ve acquired the spark that launched a future Jeopardy! champ. 

2. His tutorial smarts are as spectacular as his buzzer pace

What do you get while you research encyclopedias as a child? Big smarts!

Dargan studied medieval historical past on the University of Arkansas (sure, he actually is aware of about knights and castles!).

He went on to take the LSAT and attend University of Alabama School of Law, the place he graduated within the high 5% of his class. 

Now he’s a client safety lawyer at Davis and Norris in Birmingham, proving he can deal with each difficult trivia and high-stakes authorized battles. Basically, he was constructed for brains and buzzer pace. 

3. Nearly 30 years of persistence pays off

If you often stop after failing a time or two, Dargan’s story will present you persistence in key to Jeopardy! He first auditioned for the present again in 1996—and stored at it for many years. 

The payoff got here in September 2025 when he participated his first competitors in Los Angeles. He gained two video games, taking dwelling $47,801—proof that sticking with a dream can repay, even when it takes you almost 30 years!

4. The Jeopardy! stage is quick, difficult + unforgettable

If you suppose watching Jeopardy! is intense, strive being on stage. Dargan instructed us the sport strikes so quick that choosing classes can grow to be computerized, leaving little time to suppose earlier than you select.

We requested if there have been any clues he missed that also stick to him.

“Quite a few. I missed a question on Ms. Marple, because they put a picture of Angela Lansbury up there and I pavlov-reacted with Jessica Fletcher, from one of my mother’s favorite shows. I still feel bad about that one.”

Dargan Ware

Later, he competed in opposition to previous winners in a championship sport (aired on January 6), incomes $3,200 in spherical one and $2,200 total. Not a complete win—however nonetheless a second to recollect.

5. He’s a author, poet + Birmingham movie star

One of the very best moments of the Jeopardy! expertise was watching his episodes air at Cahaba Brewing with 25–30 associates—together with his Edgewood Presbyterian crew.

“I was truly moved by how many people contacted me and all their support, both before and after the shows aired. I’ve been recognized a few times at the grocery store, bank and also Cahaba Brewing.”

Dargan Ware

Dargan’s not only a trivia whiz. He’s an writer, engaged on the sequel to his first guide, “The Legacy of Colgan Toomey,” and the President of the Alabama State Poetry Society. You can even take a look at his second guide “Old Soldiers Never Die.”

From writing to poetry to legislation to Jeopardy!, Dargan proves {that a} curious thoughts—and a variety of persistence—can take you anyplace you need to go.

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