Excitement brews among Jeopardy! fans as Thunder Bay’s Ron Lalonde prepares for his television debut on December 3, 2023. Ron is the identical twin of Ray Lalonde, who previously captivated audiences as a contestant and winner during the show’s 2022 season.
Background of the Lalonde Brothers
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, both Ron and Ray attended Hillcrest High School before pursuing higher education. They later built successful careers in different fields. Ron now resides in Pittsburgh, working as a medical physicist, while Ray has established himself as a scenic artist in Toronto.
Jeopardy! Journey
The Lalonde brothers have deep roots in the Jeopardy! fandom. Their parents introduced them to the show, creating a family tradition of watching together. “My parents were big Jeopardy! fans, and we would watch that after supper, on the regular,” Ray recalls.
Ray’s journey to becoming a contestant was lengthy; he took the Jeopardy! test for about 20 years, managing to enter the contestant pool on four different occasions. Ron was inspired to follow in his brother’s footsteps and also tested for the show. Their persistence paid off when Ron finally received his chance to compete three years after Ray’s success.
Preparation Tips from Ray
Ron sought guidance from Ray to prepare for his upcoming appearance. Ray provided practical advice, such as keeping lozenges handy for dry mouth and moderating coffee intake to manage nerves on stage. Ron took his preparation seriously, even investing in a practice buzzer, which Ray was unaware existed.
Nerves and Challenges on Set
Despite his extensive viewing experience since the show’s Art Fleming days in the 1970s, Ron found himself surprisingly nervous during taping. “I was surprised at how nervous I was on stage because my legs would not stop shaking,” he shared.
A unique challenge arose from being an identical twin, as Ron was often mistaken for Ray during the show. He noted, “Ken Jennings did call me Ray a few times,” highlighting the playful confusion surrounding their similarity.
Family Support
Ron’s Jeopardy! debut is even more special, as family members traveled to support him during the taping. “It was nice to have the whole group down. We made a mini vacation out of it,” he expressed. The Lalonde family continues to have ties to Thunder Bay, keeping the home community proud with this moment.
Future Aspirations
While Ron steps into the spotlight, Ray has made it clear that he will not return as a regular Jeopardy! contestant. “I may have already had all the kicks of the candidate I’m ever going to get,” he acknowledges. For now, the focus shifts entirely to Ron Lalonde and his exciting upcoming episode on December 3, 2023.
