David Poltorak

David Poltorak 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. He later worked as a question writer for Sale of the Century, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Millionaire Hot Seat.

Sale of the Century

Poltorak appeared on eight episodes 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. 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.

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).
• Most number of questions answered correctly in 60 second fast money: 16 (episode 1443).

Question writing

In 1991, Poltorak replaced Fran Powell as the question writer and adjudicator for Sale of the Century. He remained in this role until the show's cancellation in 2001. He then joined the question writing team for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in Australia, and later for its spin-off Millionaire Hot Seat.