Joel J. Kupperman is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Connecticut, most renowned for his Six Myths about the Good Life, a popular philosophical volume centering on those values most worth engaging in human life. Kupperman is best known to the general public as the "math Quiz Kid" who, during the 1940s astounded audiences with his ability to do complex mathematics rapidly and seemingly "in his head". He had strong general knowledge too, and was often the winner of the weekly Quiz Kid competitions featured on the show. In a movie at the time "Chip off the Old Block" (1944), starring Donald O'Connor, Peggy Ryan and Ann Blyth, Kupperman alone was featured as the "Quiz Kid", representative of the group.[1]
He is married to noted historian/author Karen Ordahl Kupperman, who teaches at New York University. The couple have two sons: Michael Joel Kupperman, a noted illustrator; and Charles Anders Kupperman,[2][3] a medical journalist [4] and editor for Eli Healthcare,[5] formerly residing in North Carolina.[6]