Jeopardy fans were stunned to discover that one of the contestants in the June 16 episode is closely related to a well-known NBC star. As the trivia heats up, it’s the revelation of her family ties that left everyone talking. Who is Katie Kornacki’s famous brother, and how did viewers react to this surprising family connection? Find out all the details below! 👇👇

Jeopardy! Fans Discover Contestant is Sibling of Famous NBC Star Steve Kornacki

In a surprising twist on the June 16 episode of Jeopardy!, fans quickly realized that one of the contestants, Katie Kornacki, is the sibling of NBC’s well-known national political correspondent, Steve Kornacki. This revelation caught viewers off guard as they tuned in to watch the quiz show, sparking an immediate response on social media.

The Kornacki Connection

During the episode, the three contestants—Sarah Cox, a chief of staff from Austin, Texas; Tom Thriveni, a writer from Los Angeles; and Katie Kornacki, an English professor from Hartford, Connecticut—competed in the diverse trivia challenges. While each contestant impressed with their knowledge, the most surprising moment came when fans on social media began making the connection that Katie is the sister of Steve Kornacki, NBC’s chief data analyst and political correspondent.

Katie, despite not winning the game, captivated viewers with her intellectual prowess, tackling difficult categories like World Geography and Parenthetical Song Titles. Her performance was enough to catch the attention of fans, but it was the revelation of her family ties that had everyone talking.

Fans React to the Reveal

As soon as the connection was made, Jeopardy! fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their astonishment. One fan tweeted: “Just now picking up that Katie is Steve Kornacki’s sister,” along with a humorous gif of Steve himself saying, “That was a lot to take in just now.” It seems many viewers were equally surprised by the family connection, adding to the entertainment value of the show.

In a playful exchange, viewers quipped about Katie’s potential future business venture. When Katie mentioned her dream of owning a vintage shop one day, a fan jokingly asked, “In her retail score—might Katie have some items from her brother Steve? This was his coffee cup from Election Night 2016.” Another fan chimed in with enthusiasm, “Man, I’d buy it!” The humor around the family connection added to the fun atmosphere of the episode.

Steve Kornacki: A Household Name

Steve Kornacki, who has been with NBC News for over a decade, is a household name thanks to his coverage of political events and his role as the chief data analyst. He became particularly famous for his work on MSNBC’s The Place for Politics during election cycles, where his data analysis and live updates during major events, including Election Day broadcasts, have made him a fixture of political reporting.

Kornacki’s career has also seen him contribute to major publications such as The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. His professional success has helped build a strong public profile, and now his sister Katie has had her moment in the Jeopardy! spotlight.

Katie Kornacki’s Jeopardy! Performance

While Katie’s family ties made the episode memorable, her performance on Jeopardy! was no less impressive. In her game, she ended with a total score of $7,600, answering 11 questions correctly, placing second behind Sarah Cox, who emerged victorious with $13,200. Katie’s fellow contestant Tom Thriveni finished with $5,000.

Katie, who currently works as an English professor at Caldwell University in New Jersey, also shared that she is a mother to a four-year-old daughter named Anne. Her journey to the Jeopardy! stage included a previous victory, where she competed against a three-day champion and fellow newcomer, finishing with an impressive total of $20,000.

Conclusion: A Surprising and Heartwarming Moment

The revelation that Katie Kornacki is the sister of Steve Kornacki added an unexpected twist to the June 16 Jeopardy! episode, delighting fans and sparking playful interactions on social media. While Katie may not have taken home the victory that day, her performance and the personal connection to her famous brother made for a memorable moment in the Jeopardy! legacy. As viewers continue to follow her journey, it’s clear that Katie Kornacki is more than just Steve’s sister—she’s a strong competitor in her own right.