Ben Affleck and Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding secured the top prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, earning $1 million for the Eastern Congo Initiative after correctly answering the final question with the help of host Jimmy Kimmel, writes Deadline.
Ben Affleck has won the $1 million top prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, with the entire amount going to his non-profit organisation, the Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI).
The actor teamed up with Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding during the two-part finale of the ABC quiz show, successfully answering every question to secure the maximum prize for the charity.
Affleck and Ding reached the million-dollar question after using both their remaining lifelines – Ask the Host and Phone a Friend.
Host Jimmy Kimmel admitted he was not completely certain of the answer, while the duo’s phone-a-friend, Steven Morrison, also expressed uncertainty.
Despite the hesitation, Affleck and Ding chose Kimmel’s suggestion, which turned out to be the correct answer.
The final question asked contestants to identify which option had not been used as the name of a turkey pardoned by a US president. The correct answer was “Spaghetti & Meatball.”
The episode also featured light-hearted humour involving Matt Damon, whose long-running mock feud with Kimmel has become a recurring television joke.
While calling Morrison, Ding mentioned Affleck’s close friend Damon, prompting Kimmel to respond jokingly: “Are you looking for trouble? I’m not looking for any trouble, man. I just want you guys to win.”
The exchange drew laughs before the pair successfully answered the final question.
The $1 million prize will support the Eastern Congo Initiative, the advocacy and grant-making organisation founded by Affleck.
The non-profit works to support communities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by partnering with local organisations focused on health, education, economic development and community resilience.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, revived by Jimmy Kimmel in 2020, recently returned for its fifth season with a line-up of celebrity contestants.
Alongside Affleck and Ding, recent episodes have featured Larry David and his daughter Cazzie David, Jason Alexander and Wayne Knight, as well as comedians Tig Notaro and Pete Holmes.
