Ben Affleck trusted instinct over strategy, and it turned into one of the most memorable moments of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.”
The Oscar winner and “Jeopardy!” champion Jamie Ding found themselves one correct answer away from the show’s elusive $1 million prize, but instead of relying solely on a trivia expert, Affleck put his faith in an unexpected source.
The decision transformed a tense finale into a dramatic victory that will ultimately benefit a cause the actor has championed for years.
Ben Affleck joined forces with “Jeopardy!” standout Jamie Ding during Wednesday’s episode of ABC’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
Playing on behalf of charity, the pair advanced all the way to the game’s final question, giving them a chance to win the show’s rare $1 million prize.
Per the Daily Mail, the question asked, “In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, all but which of these have been the names of turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president?”
The four possible answers were Peanut Butter & Jelly, Tater & Tot, Mac & Cheese, and Spaghetti & Meatball.
Although they still had both the Ask the Host and Phone-a-Friend lifelines available, Ding initially leaned toward calling longtime trivia partner Stephen Morrison for help. Affleck, however, saw another option sitting directly across from him.
Affleck Put His Faith In Kimmel’s Hunch
Rather than immediately reaching for the phone, Ben Affleck suggested asking Jimmy Kimmel for his opinion first.
The host jokingly pushed back, quipping, “Alright, I don’t have to give you any of my f-cking thoughts, if you don’t want.”
The “Gone Girl” star then responded by explaining exactly why he valued Kimmel’s input. “Actually, you’re very good with cooking and food, current events, too. Actually, you might know this,” Affleck said
After thinking it over, Kimmel said “Spaghetti & Meatball” sounded like the odd one out. “I could see me adding a big bowl in Donald Trump’s hands and him slurping up the spaghetti and meatballs,” he joked before concluding, “That one sounds like it wasn’t the one to me.”
Affleck appeared convinced, telling the comedian he was “probably the best person in the world to ask this question to.” Even so, he and Ding decided to use their remaining Phone-a-Friend lifeline.
Unfortunately, the lifeline proved unhelpful as Morrison admitted he couldn’t confidently identify the correct answer.
Ben Affleck’s Big Win Will Help Families In Eastern Congo
Without a definitive answer from their trivia expert, Affleck and Ding circled back to Jimmy Kimmel’s original instinct and locked in “Spaghetti & Meatball.”
Moments later, the studio erupted as the answer was confirmed to be correct, making them one of the few celebrity teams to walk away with the show’s coveted $1 million prize.
Confetti filled the stage as the duo embraced to celebrate the dramatic victory.
Rather than keeping the winnings, Affleck and Ding secured the entire amount for the Eastern Congo Initiative, the nonprofit Affleck co-founded with Whitney Williams in 2010.
The organization works to expand access to essential services, strengthen economic opportunities, and promote justice through locally led programs.
Affleck’s Mother Was Surrounded By Family In Her Final Days
Ben Affleck’s $1 million game show victory wasn’t just about winning as it also showcased the values that guided much of his life.
Those principles were largely instilled by his late mother, Chris, whose family recently revealed she died peacefully at 83 after battling pancreatic cancer.
According to reports, she passed away just two days after fulfilling what her family described as her “greatest wish:” attending her grandson Atticus’ high school graduation alongside loved ones.
According to her obituary, Chris had been given six months to live following her diagnosis in December 2025, but remained determined to witness the milestone before her passing.
Throughout her life, she was one of Affleck’s biggest supporters, famously accompanying him to the 1998 Academy Awards when he and Damon won the Oscar for “Good Will Hunting.”
Her legacy extends far beyond Hollywood, encompassing decades as a public school teacher, civil rights activist, and devoted mother and grandmother whose influence shaped generations of her family.
Jennifer Garner And Jennifer Lopez Reportedly Unite To Support Ben Affleck
The outpouring of love surrounding Chris’s life has reportedly extended well beyond Affleck’s immediate family.
According to insiders, the Oscar winner also found comfort in the support of ex-wives Jennifer Garner and Jennifer Lopez, who reportedly rallied around him following the loss of his mother.
A source told PEOPLE that Chris’s death had been “hitting Ben and Casey really hard,” describing it as “an unimaginable loss” for the brothers.
Separate reports claimed both Garner and Lopez had checked in on Affleck, with Garner remaining especially close to Chris even after her divorce from the actor, while Lopez reportedly offered quiet emotional support as a longtime friend.
Surrounded by his children, siblings, and extended family, Affleck was said to be leaning on the people closest to him as he mourns the woman who remained one of his greatest champions throughout his life and career.
