Cheech Takes 3rd on Celebrity Jeopardy; Donates Winnings to HSF

Thanks to the folks at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund for the heads up.  This is awesome news.

ACTOR/COMEDIAN CHEECH MARIN FINISHES THIRD IN
‘JEOPARDY!’  MILLION DOLLAR CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL

WINS TOTAL $150,000 FOR THE HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. (MAY 7, 2010) –– Today, actor/comedian Cheech Marin (“Cheech & Chong” and “Lost”) placed third in the “Jeopardy!” Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Tournament, winning $100,000 for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) for this final round.

HSF is the nation’s leading Hispanic scholarship organization and provides support to Hispanic families and students through education workshops, scholarships, college retention and career opportunities. Frank Alvarez, president and CEO of HSF, said, “Cheech has long believed in the importance of Latino college completion.  By choosing us as his nonprofit partner, he is helping low income, academically qualified Latinos realize their dreams.”

Marin’s total “Jeopardy’ wins of $150,000 will help fund students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in performing arts and entertainment.  A longtime advocate of HSF and board member, Marin said, “This generous donation will have such an enormous impact on the American landscape.  HSF empowers and educates so many worthy Latinos.”

Marin faced off in the finals against actress/comedienne Jane Curtin (“SNL,” “3rd Rock from the Sun” and “Kate & Allie”) and actor Michael McKean (“Laverne and Shirley” and star of Broadway’s “Superior Donuts”).  McKean placed first and won the $1 million grand prize on behalf of the International Myeloma Foundation, and Curtin came in second and received a quarter million dollars for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.  These earnings are in addition to the $50,000 each received during the quarterfinals.

Host Alex Trebek said, “I think it’s really remarkable that Cheech Marin, who won our very first Celebrity “Jeopardy!” competition 18 years ago, hasn’t lost a step.  In fact, he not only made the finals of the Celebrity Invitational, but he is the only player who came up with the correct Final “Jeopardy!” response in the deciding game.  He should be congratulated on his fine performance.”

Since its September kick-off, the tournament has hosted 27 celebrity contestants who competed in a series of monthly quarterfinal matches.  A total of over $2.5 million has been donated to local and national charities selected by the stars.

“Jeopardy!,” the winner of 28 Emmy awards since its debut in 1984, was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most awards won by a TV Game Show. The series is the #1-rated quiz show in syndication with nearly 9 million daily viewers. “Jeopardy!” is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Television International, both units of CBS Corp.