What is he doing with the prize?

Ben Affleck and Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding walked away with the top prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire after answering the final question correctly on the Wednesday, July 30, episode of the ABC game show.

The pair earned the $1 million grand prize for Affleck’s nonprofit, the Eastern Congo Initiative, after navigating two challenging questions and making strategic use of their remaining lifelines. Their victory also marked another celebrity million-dollar win on the revived game show.

Ben Affleck Played for the Eastern Congo Initiative

The episode picked up where the previous installment left off, with Affleck and Ding already deep into the game and only two questions away from the $1 million prize.

Before resuming play, Affleck explained why he chose to compete for the Eastern Congo Initiative, the nonprofit he founded in 2010. “The Eastern Congo Initiative supports community-based organizations in the region,” Affleck shared, adding that eastern Congo has been “severely impacted by a very traumatic war.”

The $1 million prize will directly benefit the organization’s work supporting local communities.

The $500,000 Question Came Down to History

The duo first faced the $500,000 question: “What achievement occurred just two months after a New York Times article said it wouldn’t happen for ‘1 million to 10 million years’?”

• The possible answers were:
• Splitting the atom
• Cloning a mammal
• The first airplane flight
• The polio vaccine

Ding immediately believed the correct answer was the first airplane flight, and Affleck quickly recalled reading about the famous newspaper prediction. “I only remember this because it was a time in my life where I spent time looking up examples that the press got things wrong,” Affleck explained. “I sort of, vaguely, in my subconscious remember the Times and the Wright brothers and that whole thing was 1905, 3 or 4, or something.”

“I think ’03,” Ding responded.

Host Jimmy Kimmel couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at Affleck’s longtime friend Matt Damon. “So much smarter than Matt,” Kimmel joked, referencing Damon’s million-dollar appearance on the show alongside Jeopardy! legend Ken Jennings last season.

Although confident, Affleck and Ding used their 50:50 lifeline, narrowing the choices to splitting the atom and the Wright brothers’ historic flight. “Well, C is still on there, but damn it. If it’s not C, it’s A,” Affleck joked.

Ding then explained why he still believed aviation was the better choice. “I am still feeling much better about C overall than A because people don’t go outside and look at the sky and dream of splitting the atom, but we all dream of flying.”

Affleck ultimately trusted his teammate. “My man, I came here with you,” he said, putting his arm around Ding. “Take us. I’m with you. If that’s how you feel, let’s do it.”

Kimmel confirmed they were correct. “1903 was exactly the year that the Wright brothers flew an airplane into the sky,” the host said, adding that the New York Times had famously underestimated how soon powered flight would become reality.

Jimmy Kimmel Helped Seal the Million-Dollar Win

The final question asked contestants to identify which turkey names had never been used during the White House’s annual presidential turkey pardon tradition.

The choices included:

• Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Tater & Tot
• Mac & Cheese
• Spaghetti & Meatball

Affleck immediately suggested using a lifeline. “You must be kidding me,” he said after hearing the question.

Although they still had both Ask the Host and Phone-a-Friend available, Affleck quickly realized Kimmel might actually be their greatest advantage. “Actually, you’re very good with cooking and food, current events too. Actually, you might know this,” Affleck told the host.

Kimmel agreed the topic happened to fall into one of his specialties. “You’re absolutely right. I do a bit about this on the show. Every year.”

While admitting he wasn’t completely certain, Kimmel said Spaghetti and Meatball didn’t sound familiar. “I could see me adding a big bowl in Donald Trump’s hands and him slurping up the spaghetti and meatballs,” Kimmel joked. “That one sounds like it wasn’t the one to me.”

Affleck praised the host’s expertise. “This is the person that would actually be paying attention to every pardoned turkey’s name,” he said. “Probably the best person in the world to ask this question to.”

Ben Affleck and Jamie Ding Trusted Jimmy Kimmel

Even after receiving Kimmel’s advice, Ding attempted to call one of his friends for confirmation. Introducing the friend, Ding joked, “Harvard-educated, father, we’re two years apart, but we’ve been through a lot of trials and tribulations together. Just like Ben and Matt.”

When the friend failed to answer in time, Kimmel continued his long-running comedic rivalry with Damon. “Oh, he is like Matt.”

Affleck decided Kimmel’s recommendation was more than enough. “We’re lucky to get help from the world’s expert on precisely this kind of story,” Affleck said. “I don’t know how you feel, but I would bet on Jimmy. I would go for it.”

The pair locked in Spaghetti and Meatball as their final answer.

It was correct.

Confetti poured from the ceiling as Affleck and Ding celebrated by jumping up and down and embracing after officially winning the $1 million prize.

Another Million-Dollar Win for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Affleck and Ding join a growing list of celebrity contestants who have won the top prize on the ABC revival.

Previous million-dollar winners include Matt Damon and Ken Jennings, Ike and Alan Barinholtz, plus Oscar Nuñez and Kate Flannery.

This season’s celebrity lineup also features Brad Paisley, Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Keaton, Clayton Kershaw, Awkwafina, Leslie Odom Jr., Colin Jost, Michael Che, Brooks Nader, and Jackie Tohn.