Affleck Wins Million for Charity
Ben Affleck, Jamie Ding Win $1 Million on 'Millionaire,' Supporting Eastern Congo Initiative
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Key Points
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Before answering the final question, the duo had already banked $250,000 from the season premiere, placing them in a strong position to go for the full $1 million.
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Affleck and Ding joined a small cadre of celebrity top-prize winners under Jimmy Kimmel since 2020, with other winners including David Chang (solo), Ike and Alan Barinholtz, Matt Damon and Ken Jennings, and Oscar Nunez with Kate Flannery in 2026.
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During the final question, the couple used the Ask the Host lifeline and then phoned Jamie Ding’s longtime trivia partner, Stephen Morrison; Morrison declined to guess, leaving Affleck to decide to trust Jimmy Kimmel’s instincts.
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Host Jimmy Kimmel injected humor into the moment, joking about President Donald Trump holding spaghetti and meatballs as part of the setup for the final answer.
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Affleck previously co-founded the Eastern Congo Initiative in 2010 to fund locally led, community-based organizations focused on essential services, economic opportunity, and justice in eastern Congo, aligning with his philanthropic focus.
Ben Affleck and Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding won $1 million on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, with Affleck donating the entire prize to the Eastern Congo Initiative. The pair clinched the jackpot on the July 29 episode by correctly answering a question about pardoned Thanksgiving turkeys, guided by host Jimmy Kimmel's instinct. E! Online described Affleck's reaction as "priceless."
The win placed Affleck among a small group of celebrities to take home the show's top prize under host Jimmy Kimmel. He had already banked $250,000 in the season premiere before reaching the $1 million question. Digital Spy confirmed Ding, who won 31 consecutive Jeopardy! games, brought serious trivia firepower to the run.
Kimmel's Instinct Sealed the $1 Million Answer
The final question asked which item stood out among a list of names given to pardoned White House turkeys. The answer choices included Spaghetti & Meatball. Affleck and Ding first used the Ask the Host lifeline, and Kimmel pointed to Spaghetti & Meatball as the odd one out. Kimmel even joked about President Donald Trump holding spaghetti and meatballs during his answer, according to Holr Magazine.
The duo then called Ding's longtime trivia partner, Stephen Morrison, using the Phone-a-Friend lifeline. Morrison declined to guess. With no backup, Affleck chose to trust Kimmel's pick. It was correct. The pair had locked in the $1 million jackpot.
Eastern Congo Initiative Gets the Full $1 Million Prize
Affleck co-founded the Eastern Congo Initiative in 2010. The nonprofit funds locally led, community-based groups in eastern Congo. Those groups focus on essential services, economic opportunity, and justice for people in the region. Affleck directed all $1 million toward the organization, according to Perez Hilton.
The Eastern Congo Initiative focuses on grassroots groups rather than large aid organizations. That model — putting money directly into local hands — has been central to Affleck's philanthropic work for 15 years. The $1 million prize gives the initiative a significant single-day boost.
Affleck Joins a Short List of Millionaire Celebrity Winners
Since Jimmy Kimmel took over as host in 2020, only a handful of celebrities have won the full $1 million. Past winners include David Chang, Ike and Alan Barinholtz, Matt Damon and Ken Jennings, and Oscar Nunez with Kate Flannery in 2026. Affleck and Ding are now part of that short list, according to Digital Spy.
Ding came to the show as the reigning Jeopardy! champion and a New Jersey state government employee. Washington Post noted he is widely known as "the nicest" Jeopardy! champion. His trivia background proved valuable throughout the run, even if the final answer came down to Kimmel's gut call.
A Big Night for ABC and Celebrity Game Shows
The episode aired July 29 on ABC. Celebrity editions of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire have drawn strong interest by pairing star power with high-stakes charity moments. Affleck's win fits that pattern, mixing entertainment with a clear philanthropic goal.
Kimmel's hosting style — mixing humor with genuine tension — has become a signature of the celebrity format. His joke about Trump and spaghetti got a laugh, but his actual answer won Affleck $1 million for a cause he has championed for 15 years. E! Online called the moment a standout in the show's celebrity run.
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