Ben Affleck wins rare $1 million Who Wants to Be a Millionaire prize

Hollywood star Ben Affleck and Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding secured the top prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, winning $1 million for charity after correctly answering the game’s final question in one of the show’s rare celebrity jackpot victories.
The pair claimed the grand prize during the July 30 episode of the ABC quiz show, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Their winnings will benefit Eastern Congo Initiative, the nonprofit organisation Affleck co-founded to support community-based development projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The episode resumed with Affleck and Ding already just two questions away from the million-dollar prize after carrying over from the previous week’s episode. Before the game continued, Affleck explained the mission of the Eastern Congo Initiative, saying the organisation works alongside local communities in a region that has endured years of conflict.
The $500,000 question asked which historic achievement occurred only two months after The New York Times predicted it would not happen for “1 million to 10 million years.” The possible answers included splitting the atom, cloning a mammal, the first airplane flight and the polio vaccine.
Ding immediately believed the correct answer was the Wright brothers’ first airplane flight, while Affleck recalled reading about the newspaper’s famous misjudgment years earlier. To be safe, the pair used their 50:50 lifeline, leaving only two options. They ultimately trusted Ding’s instinct and correctly selected the first airplane flight, advancing to the final question.
The million-dollar question proved even more challenging. Contestants were asked which pair of names had not been used for turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president during the annual White House Thanksgiving tradition.
After debating the possible answers, Affleck and Ding turned to host Jimmy Kimmel using the Ask-the-Host lifeline. Kimmel admitted he was not completely certain but suggested “Spaghetti & Meatball” seemed unlikely to have been used.
The pair also attempted to use their Phone-a-Friend lifeline, but Ding’s friend was unable to provide a definite answer. With no better option available, Affleck decided to trust Kimmel’s judgment, and the duo locked in “Spaghetti & Meatball.” It proved to be the correct answer, earning them the $1 million prize.
As confetti filled the studio, Affleck and Ding embraced in celebration while Kimmel announced their victory. The win places them among the small number of celebrity contestants to claim the show’s top prize, joining previous million-dollar winners including Matt Damon and Ken Jennings, Ike and Alan Barinholtz, and Oscar Nuñez and Kate Flannery.
Affleck’s appearance on the programme not only showcased his trivia skills but also raised significant funds for a cause he has supported for years, making the rare television triumph both entertaining and meaningful.