In a thrilling game show victory, Oscar winner Ben Affleck and record-breaking Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding joined forces to claim the top $1 million prize on ABC’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
The high-stakes win benefits Affleck’s nonprofit organization, the Eastern Congo Initiative, and comes almost exactly one year after Affleck’s longtime friend and creative partner, Matt Damon, achieved the same feat alongside Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings.
The winning moment came down to the 15th and final question of the night regarding presidential holiday traditions:
“In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, all but which of these have been the names of turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president?”
A) Peanut Butter & Jelly | B) Tater & Tot | C) Mac & Cheese | D) Spaghetti & Meatball
Faced with a high-risk decision, Affleck and Ding turned to host Jimmy Kimmel using their “Ask the Host” lifeline. Kimmel hazarded a educated guess with “Spaghetti & Meatball,” citing his recall of late-night show monologues over the years. After consulting their final “Phone-a-Friend” lifeline for additional reassurance, the pair placed their trust in Kimmel’s recommendation and locked in Option D.
The $1 million payout marks a memorable television moment for several key reasons:
Charitable Impact: All proceeds from the $1,000,000 victory will directly fund the Eastern Congo Initiative, a U.S.-based advocacy and grant-making organization co-founded by Affleck in 2010 to support community-led programs in eastern Congo.
A Friendly Rivalry Restored: Affleck’s win mirrors Matt Damon’s July 2025 Millionaire jackpot run with Ken Jennings, continuing a hilarious parallel between the two Hollywood collaborators.
Game Show Royalty: The win adds another milestone to Jamie Ding’s remarkable game show career, following his historic 31-game winning streak on Jeopardy! earlier this year.
As the studio revealed “Spaghetti & Meatball” as the correct answer, confetti covered the stage as Affleck and Ding celebrated their win. The victory solidifies the duo among an elite group of celebrity pairs to conquer the ultimate trivia challenge under Kimmel’s host tenure.
