Ben Affleck has added another memorable achievement to his resume, this time by winning the top prize on ABC’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire alongside Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding.
The pair captured the show’s $1 million prize after correctly answering the final two questions in a tense finish. Their victory will benefit the Eastern Congo Initiative, the nonprofit founded by Affleck that supports local organizations working in communities affected by conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Returning to the hot seat with only two questions left, Affleck and Ding first secured the $500,000 level by identifying the Wright brothers’ historic first powered flight as the event that occurred shortly after a New York Times article famously predicted such an accomplishment was still millions of years away.
The final challenge centered on a piece of White House Thanksgiving tradition. Contestants had to determine which name had never been assigned to a pair of presidentially pardoned turkeys. After weighing their options and making strategic use of their remaining lifelines, including input from host Jimmy Kimmel, the duo confidently selected “Spaghetti and Meatball.”
Their answer was correct, triggering a confetti-filled celebration as they officially claimed the $1 million prize.
The win places Affleck and Ding among a select group of celebrity contestants to reach the top of the revived game show. It also creates an interesting Hollywood connection, coming just a year after Affleck’s longtime friend Matt Damon won the same prize alongside Jeopardy! legend Ken Jennings.
For Affleck, the victory delivers more than game show bragging rights. It also provides a significant financial boost for a cause he has championed for years, turning a night of television trivia into meaningful support for humanitarian work.
