Aiken resident featured in clue on 'Jeopardy!'

Jun. 8—"It was a complete surprise to me," said an Aiken resident whose name recently appeared in a clue on the popular television game show, "Jeopardy!"

Dacre Stoker learned about the mention Tuesday when a friend texted him. Then he phoned his daughter, Belle Stoker-Holmes, who lives in North Carolina, and she told him how he could view the episode online.

When Stoker did, he got another surprise.

"They pronounced my name right," he said. "So often it gets mispronounced, and it was nice that they got it right."

In "Jeopardy!," clues given to players are in the form of answers, and they must phrase their responses as questions.

The "Jeopardy!" clue that featured Stoker, as read by Mayim Bialik, who shares the show's hosting duties with Ken Jennings, was as follows:

"The sequel to the original classic, 2009's 'Dracula the Un-dead' was co-written by this author's great-grandnephew Dacre."

The correct response was Bram Stoker, whose gothic horror novel "Dracula" was published in the 1890s.

"When your work is recognized on 'Jeopardy!,' which is a highly cerebral show, it's a feel-good moment," Stoker said. "I was blown away. It was humbling."

Stoker is proud to be a descendant of the "Dracula" author, and it is his mission to preserve his famous ancestor's legacy.

In addition to being involved in the creation of "Dracula the Un-dead" and other "Dracula"-related books, Stoker leads "Dracula"-themed tours, makes presentations at various events and is involved in other activities to make sure that Bram Stoker isn't forgotten.

Dacre Stoker, who said he watches "Jeopardy!" every now and then, made a video of the segment of the show that included his name in a clue and then posted it on Facebook.

As of 12:30 p.m. Thursday, the video had received 423 "Likes." In addition, 86 comments had been made, and the post had been shared 23 times.

Stoker also has received many texts and emails.

"You're going to have to address me as 'Sir Jeopardy!' or something like that now, I guess," Stoker joked.

Earlier this year, Stoker was on "The Howard Stern Show," a radio program that airs on SiriusXM.

He chatted online with Suzanne Muldowney, who has received national attention for her appearances on and calls to the show.

"I was contacted by the producers and they said, 'One of our call-in guests is a fanatic 'Dracula' fan. She does interpretive dance interpreting 'Dracula' and Vlad the Impaler. It is her dream to chat with you,'" Stoker said. "It was fun getting the national exposure."

Stoker also is known locally as the executive director of Aiken Streetscapes, which helps preserve and care for the city's trees and parkways.

In addition, Stoker coaches Camden Riviere, a world-champion court tennis singles and doubles player.