Claim: Leonard Ross became known as the whiz kid who won $100,000 on The Big Surprise (which was originally hosted by Jack Barry, before he was replaced by Mike Wallace), a television quiz show, at age ten, and as a prize, he became the first guest to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
Evidence: At ten, he became known as the ''whiz kid'' who won $100,000 on The Big Surprise, a television quiz show. The series was originally hosted by Jack Barry through March 3, 1956, after which he was replaced by Mike Wallace for the rest of the run. As a prize, he became the first guest to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.