Ben Affleck achieved a rare feat on a recent episode of the celebrity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, securing the top $1 million prize for a charitable cause. The acclaimed actor partnered with Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding for the special episode, which aired this week and was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
A High-Stakes Game for a Good Cause
The duo faced the ultimate challenge: the final $1 million question. The question posed by host Jimmy Kimmel pertained to a unique Thanksgiving tradition in the United States. It asked: “In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, all but which of these have been the names of turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president?” The multiple-choice options were: Peanut Butter & Jelly, Tater & Tot, Mac & Cheese, and Spaghetti & Meatball.
Affleck and Ding, aiming to secure the substantial winnings for Affleck’s charity, the Eastern Congo Initiative, had used several lifelines throughout the game. As they approached the final question, they still had the “Phone-A-Friend” and “Ask-The-Host” options available.
Leveraging Lifelines and Host’s Expertise
The pair initially considered using their “Phone-A-Friend” lifeline to call Jamie Ding’s longtime trivia partner, Stephen Morrison. However, Jimmy Kimmel pointed out that they also retained the “Ask-The-Host” option. Affleck, acknowledging Kimmel’s reputation for being knowledgeable about current events and even culinary topics, playfully suggested they consult the host.
Kimmel, with his characteristic humor, responded, “Alright, I don’t have to give you any of my f***ing thoughts, if you don’t want.” Affleck countered, “Actually, you’re very good with cooking and food, current events, too. Actually, you might know this.”
Kimmel then offered his own guess, leaning towards “Spaghetti & Meatball” as the unlikely name for a pardoned turkey. He even added a humorous anecdote about picturing Donald Trump with a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, before stating, “That one sounds like it wasn’t the one to me.” Affleck expressed his appreciation for Kimmel’s input, remarking that the host was “probably the best person in the world to ask this question to.”
Despite Kimmel’s suggestion, and to ensure maximum certainty, Affleck and Ding decided to also consult Stephen Morrison via the “Phone-A-Friend” lifeline. Ding introduced Morrison, highlighting his intelligence and shared history with him, drawing a parallel to Affleck’s own close friendship with Matt Damon.
Morrison, however, was unable to provide a definitive answer. Kimmel acknowledged this, remarking, “But listen, you know what? He’s smart because if you don’t know it, you don’t know it, right?”
A Million-Dollar Victory
Ultimately, Affleck and Ding decided to place their trust in Jimmy Kimmel’s educated guess. They locked in “Spaghetti & Meatball” as their final answer. After a tense pause, the reveal came: they had answered correctly and won the $1 million prize.
The moment of victory was met with jubilation. Affleck and Ding leaped to their feet, embracing each other as confetti rained down on the game show stage. The substantial prize money is earmarked for the Eastern Congo Initiative, an organization co-founded by Ben Affleck in 2010.
Supporting Eastern Congo Initiative
The Eastern Congo Initiative is dedicated to supporting locally led organizations in eastern Congo, aiming to expand access to essential services, foster economic opportunities, and promote justice. The organization strives to create scalable and sustainable impact within the region.
This significant win echoes a similar achievement from the previous year, when Affleck’s close friend and collaborator, Matt Damon, also won $1 million on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Damon, paired with Ken Jennings, directed his winnings to his clean-water nonprofit, Water.org.
Jimmy Kimmel commented on Affleck’s performance, noting to Variety, “I’m not sure Ben knew that he was paired with a champion when he agreed to do the show. But when I told him, he seemed surprised and delighted. I think he was prepared to do it on his own. He’s very smart, that Ben Affleck.”
Affleck’s participation and subsequent victory highlight the game show’s ability to generate significant funds for important charitable causes, while also providing compelling entertainment.
