“Daddy? No… it’s Ken Jennings!” — The Sweet TV Moment That Made America Laugh and Moved As Ken Jennings recalled the summer of 2004 — his heyday on Jeopardy! — a small detail from his son left the audience speechless with love: Dylan, then 1 year old, called his dad by his full name, “Ken Jennings,” following the TV introduction. The simple yet loving story not only delighted fans, but also reminded them that behind the quiz genius was a father with unforgettable family memories.“He Called Me ‘Ken Jennings’” — A Jeopardy! Legend Shares a Touching Story About His Son on Live TVIt was a moment of unexpected tenderness on Good Morning America when Ken Jennings — the legendary Jeopardy! champion and current host — opened up about a sweet and humorous family memory. Promoting the upcoming third season of Celebrity Jeopardy!, Ken participated in a live segment where he fielded playful trivia questions. But one clue in particular brought back a poignant slice of the summer of 2004, when Ken was just a rising star in the world of quiz shows.
As GMA co-host Lara Spencer quizzed him, she posed the clue: “This is what your oldest son called you instead of ‘Dad’ the summer you were on Jeopardy!.” Ken couldn’t help but smile as he answered — it was “Ken Jennings.” His son Dylan, only a year old at the time, had picked up on the show’s signature opening announcement from Johnny Gilbert. Instead of “Daddy,” the toddler would address him by his full name: “Ken Jennings.”“He was only a year old, and he called me ‘Ken Jennings’ all summer,” Ken recalled with a laugh, his voice carrying a mix of pride and nostalgia. “Like, that’s what the announcer said.”
The story struck a chord with fans online, many of whom flooded the comment sections of GMA’s TikTok post with admiration. “That’s the cutest story ,” one wrote. Another simply laughed, “That’s hilarious .”Ken Jennings’ journey is already one for the ages. From his historic 74-game winning streak in 2004, which earned him over $2.5 million, to his current role carrying the torch left behind by the beloved Alex Trebek, his legacy continues to grow. But it’s these quieter moments — the glimpse into his life as a young father with a precocious son — that remind us of the human heart behind the trivia titan.
With fans now dreaming of a future where Dylan might join his dad on screen, it’s clear that the Jennings family’s bond is every bit as strong as Ken’s quiz game.