Max Ernst is a software engineer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Moreover, he is popular as a contestant in the 42nd season of America’s longest-running quiz game show, Jeopardy!
Ernst is making his Jeopardy! debut on 21 April 2026. In the upcoming episode, he will challenge the returning champion, Jamie Ding, and a sales consultant from Wallingford, Connecticut, Lydia Sekscenski.

Ding, a bureaucrat & law student from Lawrenceville, New Jersey, has taken his winning streak to 27 games on Jeopardy! With his latest win on Monday, Ding now has a total purse of $753,000.
While Ernst is sure to get tough competition from Sekscenski, it will be interesting to see if he can finally put an end to Ding’s mounting winning streak on Jeopardy!
Now, let’s learn about Max Ernst’s personal and professional life details!
You May Like: Meet Caleb Phillips From Jeopardy: Is He Married?
| Bio & Family | |
|---|---|
| Name | Max Ernst |
| Birth Name | Max J. Ernst |
| DOB | 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
| Father’s Name |
NA
|
| Mother’s Name |
NA
|
| Brother/s | Alexander Ernst |
| Sister/s |
NA
|
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| High School | Rockhurst High School |
| College/University | New York University, Loyola University New Orleans |
| Career & Net Worth | |
|---|---|
| Profession | Software Engineer |
| Career | NA – Present |
| Known For | Jeopardy! |
| Net Worth | NA |
| Salary | NA |
| Notable Credits | NA |
| Personal Life | |
|---|---|
| Gay/Lesbian | No |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband/Wife | Kay Pin |
| Boyfriend/Girlfriend | NA |
| Engaged | NA |
| Wedding Date | 25 April 2008 |
| Son/s | No |
| Daughter/s | 2 |
| Divorce | No |
| Body Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Height | NA |
| Weight | NA |
Max Ernst Wiki, Age, and Education
Ernst was born Max J. Ernst in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, in 1981. He is 44 years old.
Ernst was raised by his parents alongside his 41-year-old brother, Alexander Ernst. He is of American nationality and white ethnicity.
Talking about his education, Ernst graduated from Rockhurst High School. He then obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from New York University in 2004.
Furthermore, Ernst completed his Doctor of Law from Loyola University New Orleans in 2007.
Inside Max Ernst’s Job and Career
Ernst is a software engineer. He has been serving as a front-end architect at Turn5, Inc. since August 2017.
At Turn5, Ernst maintains and develops features for three e-commerce websites and a mobile app using JavaScript, React, JQuery, React-Native, HTML, CSS, and LESS.
Previously, Ernst worked as a software engineer at RushOrderTees.com from January 2016 to August 2017. There, he developed front-end features using AngularJS, jQuery, and vanilla JavaScript.
More From Jeopardy: Iain Carpenter Wiki, Job & Family: Get To Know The Jeopardy Contestant
Who Is Max Ernst’s Wife? When Did He Get Married?
Ernst is married to his wife, Kay Pin. They have been together for around 18 years.
Ernst and his wife walked down the aisle together on 25 April 2008. The pair is going to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary this month.

Since their nuptials, the lovebirds have been raising two beautiful daughters. Ernst and his family reside in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.