Canadian 'Jeopardy' contestant Ray Lalonde is 'absolutely crushing' it, while inspiring Canadian pride

Lalonde is drawing buzz from across the country after almost a week of wins on the game show

Elianna Lev
Updated ·3 min read
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Ray Lalonde is inspiring Canadian pride with his 'Jeopardy' run

When a Canadian does well on the popular TV show Jeopardy, it’s a win for the whole country.

Earlier this year when Mattea Roach, a Toronto resident originally from Nova Scotia, held the fifth longest streak in the game show’s history, the country swelled with pride and gave her the star treatment.

Now another Toronto resident, Ray Lalonde, is being celebrated as he slays the game.

Lalonde is the current Jeopardy champion, following victories that started last Thursday and continued onto every day this week. Going into Wednesday’s game, his total winnings are $95,000.

The scenic painter, who was born and raised in Thunder Bay, has worked on many art department sets, including the popular TV series The Handmaid’s Tale, which is shot in Toronto.

Many on Twitter are cheering Lalonde on, remarking on his calm and even demeanour.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which claims Lalonde as a member, is eagerly keeping its followers up to date on his latest ranking on the game show.

There’s even an account that recaps each of his outfits.

Wednesday’s game is a particularly patriotic affair for Canadians, as Lalonde will be facing Michael Vaz, a tutor from Mississauga, Ontario, along with Mary Dishigrikyan of North Hollywood.

Roach competed in the game show’s Tournament of Champions in November, but was ousted in the semi-finales, with 40-day winner Amy Schneider taking the top prize. She can currently be heard as the host of the political podcast The Backbench.