Ben Affleck Wins Rare Million-Dollar Prize with “Jeopardy!” Champ Jamie Ding on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”

Ben Affleck achieved a remarkable feat alongside Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding, as the duo clinched the grand prize of $1 million on the popular television game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. This victory was not just for the thrill of winning, but rather a significant contribution to Affleck’s charitable initiative, the Eastern Congo Initiative.

The winning moment unfolded during an episode aired on July 30, where Affleck, aged 57, expressed the critical mission of the Eastern Congo Initiative, which aims to support various community-based organisations in a region severely affected by conflict and instability. This emphasis on philanthropy set the stage for the duo’s impressive journey through the game.

At the beginning of the episode, Affleck and Ding found themselves facing just two final questions. The first challenge was worth $500,000 and posed a historically intriguing query: “What achievement occurred just two months after a New York Times article said it wouldn’t happen for ‘1 million to 10 million years’?” The options presented included splitting the atom, cloning a mammal, the first airplane flight, or the polio vaccine.

Ding instinctively leaned towards the answer “C,” which referred to the first airplane flight, a notion that Affleck readily supported. The actor recalled a time when he had explored how the press had misjudged events in history, linking this knowledge to the early 1900s and the Wright brothers’ illustrious achievement in aviation.

After deliberating over the answers, Ding and Affleck decided to make use of their 50:50 lifeline. This eliminated two incorrect options, leaving them with just “A” (splitting the atom) and “C” (the first airplane flight). Affleck light-heartedly acknowledged the uncertainty of their choice, but Ding’s confidence swayed him to trust his judgement. Together, they agreed on “C,” leading to delighted cheers when Kimmel confirmed their answer as correct.

The excitement escalated as the duo faced the million-dollar question. This challenge revolved around the tradition of Thanksgiving turkey pardoning: “In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, all but which of these have been the names of turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president?” The answers included Peanut Butter & Jelly, Tater & Tot, Mac & Cheese, and Spaghetti & Meatball.

Affleck’s surprise at the quirky question prompted them to consider using their Phone-a-Friend lifeline, but Kimmel reminded them of their Ask-the-Host option, which they eagerly decided to utilise. Kimmel, known for his comedic presence, acknowledged that he often covers this tradition in his own show segments.

With a humorous exchange, they discussed which name seemed the least likely, and Kimmel noted that he couldn’t recall “Spaghetti and Meatball” being associated with any pardoned turkey. Despite their joking remarks, Affleck and Ding leaned towards that answer, buoyed by Kimmel’s input. After a fleeting attempt to consult Ding’s friend, who struggled to provide a timely response, they settled with Kimmel’s suggestion and locked in “Spaghetti and Meatball” as their final response.

Their choice turned out to be correct, securing the monumental $1 million prize. The joy of victory erupted with cheers and jubilations, and both contestants celebrated amidst a flurry of confetti, marking an unforgettable moment on the show.

Over the course of the current season, various other celebrities have participated in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, including the likes of Brad Paisley, Jesse Eisenberg, Awkwafina, and Michael Che, among others. Their successful triumphs contribute to an encouraging culture of celebrity involvement in philanthropy, echoing Affleck’s commitment through his foundation.

This latest win adds to a legacy of celebrity duos that have achieved the million-dollar milestone, including noteworthy pairs such as Matt Damon and Ken Jennings and Ike and Alan Barinholtz.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire continues to air on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, drawing viewers eager to witness not only the quest for knowledge but also the heartwarming charitable contributions resultant from each victory.