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Jeopardy: Amy Schneider Before Surgery – Was Her Original Name Thomas Schneider?

Author

Andrew Adams

Published Jan 04, 2026

Was Amy Schneider’s original name Thomas Schneider? This article covers everything we know about the first openly transgender woman to qualify for the show’s Tournament of Champions.

Amy Schneider is the first openly transgender woman who qualified for the Jeopardy’s Tournament of Champions.

Besides being a reality TV star, she is an engineering manager. She graduated from the University of Dayton in 2002.

Amy has 13 wins so far in Jeopardy. She will return to attempt the 14th consecutive win on 20 December 2021. For the two weeks, the first Professors Tournament of the show that Mayim Bialik presents will air.

Yes, this should be “mother.” NOT my other mother, the only thing she gave me was a deep seated fear of buttons

— Amy Schneider (@Jeopardamy) December 6, 2021

Jeopardy: Amy Schneider Before Surgery – As A Man Photo

Amy Schneider creates a record in Jeopardy as she becomes the first openly transgender woman to qualify for the show’s Tournament of Champions.

So far in the quiz reality show, she has 13 wins with a phenomenal earning of $536,400.

The beginning of 2017 was when she started to transition. On 30 June 2017, she began living as her true self.

Amy, on Twitter, disclosed that Shakespeare influenced her coming out. She played Francis Flute in Midsummer [Night’s Dream]. Towards the end of the play, Flute dresses up as a woman every night. So she does the same and gets fascinated with the idea. 

The #ProfessorsTournament starts Monday! Don’t worry – Amy Schneider will return to Jeopardy! December 20!

— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) December 5, 2021

A transgender comedian woman she met in San Francisco was also her inspiration. She observed the trans woman, who had a regular life with kids, and saw the possibility of something similar.

Although we know a lot about her coming out and everything Jeopardy-related, there is little to no information about her before surgery. And with so much hype she creates, the fans want to see the pictures when she was a man.

However, there aren’t any photos online at present. Further, the chances of the fans seeing them seem relatively close to zero. 

Amy Schneider Real Name 

We’re hoping you know Dennis Quaid’s movie roles better than today’s contestants!

— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) December 4, 2021

As for Amy Schneider’s real name, it is Thomas E Schneider.

She was born male on 29 May 1984 in Ohio to her father James T Schneider and mother, whose name remains hidden. Her father used to work at the Dayton Metro Library, while her mom was a college professor. She grew up with her brother John in a conservative family.

Amy before, sex alteration surgery was a male married to Kelly Anneken. They tied their knots in 2004 but divorced in 2016. After marriage, she moved to Oakland.