SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for Season 5, Episode 2 of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” which aired on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
Ben Affleck has become one of the select celebrity winners on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” securing the grand prize with significant support from “Jeopardy!” champion Jamie Ding.
Affleck successfully answered the $1 million question, mirroring the achievement of his “Good Will Hunting” co-star Matt Damon, who reached the milestone almost a year prior with the assistance of “Jeopardy!” expert Ken Jennings, now the host of the show.
The funds from Affleck and Ding’s win will benefit Affleck’s Eastern Congo Initiative, which is the first U.S.-based advocacy and grant-making organization focused on aiding the people of the African region.
In the climactic question, Affleck and Ding were tasked with identifying which turkeys had not been pardoned by a U.S. president: A) Peanut Butter & Jelly; B) Tater & Tot; C) Mac & Cheese; D) Spaghetti & Meatball. Unsure of the answer, they used a lifeline to consult host Jimmy Kimmel, who, despite not being entirely certain, suggested Spaghetti & Meatball. The duo then opted to call Ding’s longtime trivia partner Stephen Morrison for advice. Morrison was unable to provide a definitive answer, leading Affleck to decide to trust Kimmel’s suggestion, stating, “I would bet on Jimmy. I would go for it.”
As Ding confirmed the answer, putting $1 million for charity at stake, Kimmel remarked, “I have such a stomach ache right now.” After a tense moment, the show confirmed that Spaghetti & Meatball was indeed the correct choice. With confetti filling the studio, Affleck and Ding celebrated with joy and surprise.
Affleck and Ding are the fifth winners of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” during Kimmel’s hosting period, which began in April 2020. David Chang was the first to win in this new version in November 2020, followed by the duo Ike and Alan Barinholtz in August 2024, Damon and Jennings in July 2025, and “The Office” stars Oscar Nuñez and Kate Flannery in September 2025.
In a July interview with Variety, Kimmel mentioned the Affleck-Ding pair, saying, “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.”
Watch the moment Affleck and Ding won the $1 million below.
