Eater X Tim Janus, Champion Competitive Eater, Dies at 49 Tim Janus, known as Eater X, a champion competitive eater and TV personality, died on September 16 at 49 after a long battle with cancer, Major League Eating announced. Tim Janus, the champion competitive eater known as Eater X, died on September 16 at age 49 after a long battle with cancer, according to Major League Eating. Janus was a world-champion eater who appeared on The Amazing Race, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and other shows. He was ranked as high as number two in the world, second only to Joey Chestnut. Competitive Eating Career HighlightsJanus, who would take the stage with a painted face, started eating competitively in 2004 and was later inducted into the Major League Eating Hall of Fame. He held world titles in tiramisu, ramen, nigiri sushi, and burping. He set records by eating four pounds of tiramisu in six minutes, 10.5 pounds of ramen in eight minutes, and 141 pieces of nigiri in six minutes.At Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, he was a returning competitor, finishing second to Chestnut in 2010 and third in 2014. In 2015, he told Food Republic that he would eat a roll of pennies to set a world record and that taste did not matter, adding that he would like to eat everything in the world at least once, even alien or dinosaur if possible.During his Hall of Fame induction, he said he learned a lot about life by eating hot dogs, and that caring about something and working hard at it makes you better.Television Appearances and CompetitionsJanus's passion for competing extended to television. He appeared on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Cash Cab, and The Amazing Race. On Cash Cab, he made history as the show's largest winner, taking home $1600. During a 2009 appearance on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, he won $100,000.In 2017, he teamed up with fellow competitive eater Joey Chestnut for The Amazing Race 30, where they came in eighth place. In 2010, he prepared Shaquille O'Neal for a hot dog eating contest against Chestnut on Shaq Vs. Cameras also followed him for an episode of MTV's True Life, I'm A Competitive Eater, in 2006.Health Concerns and Later LifeIn 2016, Janus tweeted about his concerns regarding how his passion for food would impact his health, saying he had wondered how long-term stupid competing was for his health and could not ignore that feeling anymore. He also said it was more about how they were destroying their bodies and that each person only gets one.In 2023, Janus started working for the United States Foreign Service, but his health prevented him from serving abroad, according to Major League Eating.Tributes and SurvivorsHis former roommate and fellow competitive eater, Crazy Legs Conti, paid tribute to a man who lived life on his own terms. Conti told Major League Eating that Tim followed his own passions and dreams without regard for society's pressures or expectations, and that he was unique, brilliant, and beloved by his friends.A Celebration of Life for Janus will be held in New York City in October, according to Major League Eating. He is survived by his mother Lucinda Hannon, father Peter Janus, stepmother Nancy Janus, and sister Tess McNair.