Jeremy Kaufman, a Chicago real-estate executive and familiar participant in high-stakes poker games, has died at age 56, according to PokerNews. The report described his death as unexpected but did not state a cause.
Kaufman became known to a wider poker audience through Poker Night in America in 2017, where he played as an amateur alongside established professionals. He later appeared several times on Hustler Casino Live and twice on Poker at the Lodge in 2026, while remaining active in private high-stakes games in Los Angeles.
Tributes cited by PokerNews focused on his temperament rather than tournament results. Hustler Casino Live co-founder Ryan Feldman remembered Kaufman for bringing energy to games and remaining gracious when sessions went badly. Mike Matusow also wrote publicly about their friendship and the impact of the loss.
Away from poker, Kaufman served as chief executive of Kaufman Jacobs, a boutique real-estate private-equity firm. PokerNews reported that he is survived by three teenage children. His place in poker was built largely through cash-game appearances, friendships and a table presence that fellow players remembered warmly.
