Wheel of Fortune, simply known as Wheel, has been around for decades. The American game show debuted on NBC in January 1975, starring Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford as hosts. The show began as a daytime series. It goes on record as one of the longest-running game shows in American history, coming second after The Price is Right. Through the years, it has had a change of hosts and moved to a nighttime slot. The show’s success birthed two spinoffs; Wheel 2000, a children’s version of the show, and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which went on air on the 7th of January. Younger fans hope to see Kylie Jenner on the show. Wheel has been franchised worldwide and airs in Poland, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Italy, to name a few.
Winners on Wheel of Fortune have landed different prizes, ranging from exorbitant amounts of cash to trips. Some have won under unique circumstances, and they are our focus today. Stick around and find out who they are:
10 Scott Kolbrenner
One of the most successful winners on the game show is Scott Kolbrenner. He won a staggering $145,000, which included a $100,000 grand prize. He’s one of the winners on the show who have won cash and prizes in the $100,000 range. However, Scott was on the show for fun and dedicated his winnings to charity. Scott revealed that his family was fortunate, and he needed to give the money to one that wasn’t.
9 Autumn Erhard
Before contesting on the game show, Autumn Erhard was a sales representative in Orange County, California. 2013 was her lucky year when she cracked the bonus round. Autumn’s 4-second answer made her an instant millionaire. It also made her the second million-dollar winner in the history of the show, and the most-earning contestant. She walked home with $1,030, 340.
8 Cindy Kling
Cindy Kling had been trying to get on the show for 11 years before the directors so much as gave her a chance. As her lucky stars would have it, she finally got accepted in 2013. She ended up winning $147,000 and was 1st runner-up on winnings at the time. The Snohomish woman had to keep her winnings secret until the show was aired.
7 Michelle Loewenstein
In 2008, Michelle, who was newly married, got the ultimate wedding gift. She became the game show’s first-ever million-dollar winner. The Malibu resident’s stars aligned, thanks to a lot of practice she did at home. Being a fan of the show, the then 24-year-old Michelle would yell answers as contestants tried to figure them out. That habit paid off in a big way, $ 1,026,080 to be specific, when Michelle got her moment.
6 Katie Parker
On the 5th of March this year, Katie Parker from Lancaster, California, had a field day when she won a $100,000 bonus. The mother of one, who is a school teacher, was well on her way to earning her elementary teaching credentials when she got on the show. Thanks to a wild card, and a few consonants and vowels, she went home a winner.
5 Sarah Manchester
September 2014 was a good month for Sarah Manchester. The Math teacher from Baltimore, Maryland, became the third contestant on the show to walk away with a million-dollar prize. Solving the phrase puzzle “ Loud Laughter”, made her smile her way to the bank. Not only did she win $1,017,490, but a trip to the Dominican Republic was also in the offing.
4 Jason Idalski
Winning big on one game show is one thing. It requires a lot of wits, a sharp mind, and an even sharper call to action. Winning big on two game shows is a whole different thing that needs one thing: a stroke of luck. This was the case for Jason Idalski. Six years after he walked away with $37,998 on Jeopardy, Jason won $68,416 in cash and prizes on Wheel of Fortune.
3 Douglas Ross
The December 2001 episode featured Becky Moore, Mike Colquitt, and Douglas Ross. Douglas, a copy editor, and wordsmith, who worked for the Whitehouse at the time, had luck on his side. He solved the puzzle “ A Happy Meal” on the bonus round, winning $100,000. His win made history as the first-ever $100,000 won on the show.
2 Tony Harrison
Any staunch Wheel fan will tell you the golden rule: No contestant appears on the show more than once. Tony Harrison, a software expert, defied the odds. He got on the show twice; once in 2017, and the second time in 2020. The second time, he walked away with $98, 831 in prizes and cash. The hosts attributed his second appearance to a loophole in production. Tony’s appearance caused quite the stir online.
1 Christian Dixie
On a November 2020 ‘College Week’ episode, Ball State University freshman Christian Dixie landed the perfect gift anyone could ask for on their first year of college. Christian had his grandma to thank for introducing him to the show when he was only nine months old. As far as his time in college is concerned, it’s safe to say he won’t be struggling with student debt.