David Poltorak (born 1954/1955)[1] is an Australian television game show contestant and question writer. He became the grand champion of Sale of the Century in 1986, setting a world record for winnings on a television game show at the time.[2] He later worked as a question writer for The Oz Game,[3] Sale of the Century,[4][5] The Einstein Factor,[6] Temptation,[6] Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?[1][6][7] and Millionaire Hot Seat. Nicknamed The Professor, he has been featured as a chaser on The Chase Australia since 2024.[8][9]
David Poltorak | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1954 or 1955 (age 69–70) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation(s) | Quiz show question writer Scriptwriter Quiz show champion Former taxi driver |
| Known for | winning Sale of the Century (1986) scriptwriter of Emoh Ruo (1985) The Chase Australia (2024–present) |
Early life
editPoltorak was a part-time taxi driver before he applied for Sale of the Century in 1986 at 31 years of age.[1][2] He had a taxi license, which he gained in 1976, but he eventually only spent three months on the road before realising driving was not for him.[4] He has been interested in game shows since he was a child, watching BP Pick-a-Box as a 10-year-old.[1] He decided to enter Coles' $6,000 Question at 16, with World War I as his subject as there was a magazine series on it for sale, at the time.[4] He also co-wrote the 1985 film Emoh Ruo.[5]
Sale of the Century
editPoltorak appeared on eight episodes of the Australian version of Sale of the Century in 1986, winning a grand total of A$376,200, including $244,000 in cash and $132,200 in prizes.[2][1][5] His total winnings were a world record for a television game show at the time, surpassing the previous record held by Michael Larson on Press Your Luck in 1984.[5]
Poltorak also set three records for Sale of the Century in Australia:
- Highest number of questions answered correctly in one episode: 35 out of 55 (episode 1443).
- Highest winning score: $200 (episode 1443).[4]
- Most number of questions answered correctly in 60 second fast money: 16 (episode 1443).
Question writing
editIn 1989, Poltorak was employed as the head question writer and adjudicator for the third season of the ABC's then-6 pm game show The Oz Game.[3] In 1991, Poltorak replaced Fran Powell as the question writer and adjudicator for Sale of the Century,[4] after an offer from the game show's production company, Grundy Television.[5] He remained in this role until the show's cancellation in 2001. He then joined the question writing team for Temptation,[6] The Einstein Factor,[6] Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in Australia,[1][6][7] and later for its spin-off Millionaire Hot Seat.[8]
The Chase Australia
editIn October 2023, it was reported that Poltorak will debut as a new chaser nicknamed "The Professor" on The Chase Australia in 2024.[8] Poltorak previously appeared as a contestant in the first series of Beat the Chasers Australia in 2020.[8] His Chaser debut on The Chase Australia aired on 8 April 2024.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Webber, John (24 March 2001). "David Poltorak: Won $376,000 in cash and prizes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 356. ProQuest 363756914. Retrieved 20 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Potts, John (20 November 1986). "Quiz King's party for hipsters and the arty". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 27. Retrieved 20 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Maddison, Charles (20 March 1989). "Third time lucky for the Oz Game?". The Guide. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 75. Retrieved 6 April 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e Oliver, Robin (30 September 1991). "Quiz champ sold on Sale". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 56. Retrieved 20 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e Cockington, James (17 June 1996). "Sold on the Sale". The Guide. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 58. Retrieved 20 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Nicholson, Sarah (27 October 2005). "Master knows best". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: News Limited. p. 4. ProQuest 354094957. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via Newsbank.
- ^ a b Tarica, Elisabeth (29 May 2003). "Putting a million on the line". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. p. 3. ProQuest 363625911. Archived from the original on 8 June 2003.
- ^ a b c d Knox, David (10 October 2023). "The Professor is coming to The Chase". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ a b Knox, David (2 April 2024). "The Chase reveals The Professor". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 April 2024.