Ken Jennings Reveals He Was College Roommates with Fantasy Author Brandon Sanderson

Ken Jennings revealed a surprising college memory involving bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, saying the two once shared an apartment while attending Brigham Young University in Utah during the 1990s. Jennings discussed the story during an on-set Q&A that was later posted on Jeopardy!’s social media accounts, giving fans a glimpse into the early days of both men before their careers took off.

According to Jennings, Sanderson was already devoted to writing long fantasy novels while working overnight shifts as a night desk clerk at a local Best Western near their home. Jennings joked that the job seemed to give Sanderson plenty of time to work on sprawling manuscripts with large casts of characters. The Jeopardy! host said living with Sanderson made him feel less nerdy by comparison, joking that for once he was “not the nerdiest guy in the apartment.”

Sanderson has since become one of the biggest names in fantasy publishing. Jennings praised his former roommate’s success, noting that Sanderson has sold more than 50 million books worldwide and has become a major force in modern genre fiction. He also referenced Sanderson’s growing media footprint, including a major Apple TV deal tied to Sanderson’s Cosmere universe, which includes popular series such as Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive.

Jennings joked that Sanderson’s success had become so significant that he no longer flew commercial and instead owned a private plane. He added that this made him “the second most successful person in the apartment,” a playful nod to the extraordinary career path Sanderson later followed.

The story highlights an unusual overlap between two highly successful figures from different worlds: Jennings, who became a longtime game show personality and trivia champion, and Sanderson, who rose from a college student writing late into the night to one of the most commercially successful fantasy authors in the world. Their shared apartment in Utah offered an early glimpse of the ambition and talent that would define both of their careers.

The remarks also underscore Sanderson’s continued expansion beyond books. In January, Apple TV acquired rights to adapt his Cosmere universe for film and television, adding to the growing interest in his work across entertainment platforms. Jennings’ anecdote, shared in a lighthearted format, gave fans a personal connection to Sanderson’s pre-fame years and added another memorable detail to the author’s already notable public profile.