Game show legend dies as tributes flood in from devastated fans
A game show star who battled cancer for nearly two decades has died after racking up more than $50,000 in winnings.
Jeopardy champion Eric Berman has sadly died at the age of 60 after battling cancer for 19 years. The game show champion won four rounds of the classic TV show in 1987, before appearing on the 2024 edition of Trivial Pursuit hosted by LeVar Burton. In his time on TV game shows, Eric racked up winnings of more than $57,000 – scooping $37,101 on Jeopardy and $20,000 on Trivial Pursuit.
On Jeopardy, Eric made it to the Tournament of Champions. His winning streak ended with a final question about the Kennedy Centre which left all three finalists baffled, and the crown went to David Peterman, who claimed the title of champion from then on.
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Eric was also a local journalist in Indiana, working for WIBC and WOWO in Fort Wayne. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Christine, who was also a reporter for the Kokomo Tribune, and their 22-year-old son Christian.
An obituary posted by the family online read: “Eric Matthew Berman, who spent nearly three decades reporting news, the Indiana Legislature, and elections on radio in Indianapolis, died December 5, 2025 after a nearly 19-year battle with cancer. He was 60.
“He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Christopher Mark Berman, and an aunt.”
Tributes have been flooding in from fans online, with one writing: “Devastated to learn that former Statehouse Press Corps reporter Eric Berman died this morning. A truly kind person with a thirst for knowledge (he was a Jeopardy champ). He will be sorely missed.”
Another echoed: “Sad loss. A high character, brilliant and quality man. Eric Berman spent nearly 30 years reporting for WIBC, Indy’s news/talk station, battling cancer the last 15, before passing this week. Condolences to his family and many friends.”
One of his former colleagues tweeted: “Eric Berman finished his final story today, and it was his best. A stand-up human being and journalist. Eric and I didn’t work together long, but the time we did was special…”
