A Jeopardy! Veteran Passes Away

[Schvatal]

Here’s an article from the Jeopardy! website …

JEOPARDY! MOURNS LOSS OF SENIOR WRITER

EMMY-AWARD WINNING WRITER STEVEN DORFMAN, 48, SUCCUMBS TO CANCER

Steven Dorfman, the longest serving writer for JEOPARDY!, died in Los Angeles on January 4, 2004, after a recent battle with cancer. He was 48 years old. A man of many talents and interests, Dorfman served JEOPARDY! from its inception in 1984 and was once quoted as saying that his career with JEOPARDY! was “the only job I ever wanted.” He went on to win six Emmy awards for “Outstanding Writing.”

Dorfman moved to Los Angeles after graduating from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. A wry and eclectic gentleman, Dorfman was respected by his colleagues for his endless creativity, dry wit, and his steadfast devotion to America’s favorite quiz show. During his impressive 20 year tenure, Steven Dorfman wrote over 50,000 JEOPARDY! questions.

“Steven was one of the first writers I hired for JEOPARDY!,” said host Alex Trebek. “For the past 20 years, he has been our most imaginative and prolific writer. The show will miss him greatly, and on a personal level, I will too.”

“We are deeply saddened by Steven’s passing,” said Executive Producer Harry Friedman. "He had a true passion for JEOPARDY! All of us on the staff were inspired by his inventive and original style.”

A game show aficionado, Dorfman was developing a variety of television projects at the time of his death. He is survived by his parents Neil and Debbie Dorfman, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, two sisters, and a grandmother.

Memorials can be directed to the Michigan Cancer Foundation or a charity of one’s choice.
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[TomKBaltimoreBoy]

You know, we give the writers a lot of garbage about the work they do -- and as professionals, they are held to a high standard.

It's very easy to compain about such things as whether they wanted "Sirius" or "Dogstar", or whether Indonesia is in Oceania or Asia.

But there is also a time to comment upon all the wonderful and thought-provoking clues they do create, which has fueled our favorite game for over 20 years and well into the future.

Mr. Dorfman, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. May the good Lord watch over you and yours.

[tdciago]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Two young men connected with the show have now been lost within the last month.

My sympathies to his family, and my thanks for years of outstanding work.

[Schvatal]

Mr. Dorfman wrote approximately one out of every five clues EVER written for the syndicated version of Jeopardy! It stands to reason, therefore, that he must have come up with many, if not most, of the clues that we found especially memorable. His talents will be surely — and sorely — missed by everyone associated with Jeopardy! — the staff, the contestants, and the TV audience.

Schvatal

[ricfran]

I also send condolences to Mr. Dorfman's family and colleagues, and add my appreciation as one who's been entertained and enlightened (and I'm sure at times deliciously befuddled) by his work for more than half of my own life.

48 years is far too few, but how many people can say they got to work at their dream job, at the highest level, for 20 years?

Congratulations to Mr. Dorfman on a life well lived.

[Schvatal]

tdciago,

Perhaps you can post a link to an article called “Who Are Jeopardy! Writers?” — a tribute to the Jeopardy! writing staff — at Iago’s JEOBIRDY! Experience website.

Schvatal

[Rene#4]

Condolences to Mr. Dorfman's family & friends. 48 is just too young.

After reading that article, I take back every catty thing I've thought (it was all jealousy) or said.

[tdciago]

Thanks, Schvatal. That's a great article, and I've added it to the links.

[MRooney]

Forty-eight is awfully young.

Steve Dorfman, I now realize from his photo, often operated every Jeopardy player's occasional nemesis -- the lockout switch. He seemed perfectly healthy at the 2003 ToC. Sad news.

[EugeneF]

Now Steven knows all the answers.

The wit and challenge of Jeopardy! are his monument and legacy. Thank you, Steven.

Eugene