Ben Affleck bags $1M prize on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' a year after BFF Matt Damon's win

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ben Affleck has another milestone to celebrate. The Oscar-winning actor won the $1 million grand prize on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?', with the money going to his nonprofit, the Eastern Congo Initiative. 

While the win was a proud moment, it also came with a surprising connection to his longtime friend Matt Damon. Exactly one year ago, Damon also walked away with the show's top prize, making Affleck the second of the childhood friends to achieve the same amount. 

Well, no doubt they are best friends who share the same brains and zeal to win. 

Ben Affleck follows BFF Matt Damon with his own $1M 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' victory

Affleck teamed up with 'Jeopardy' champion Jamie Ding to compete on the celebrity edition of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'. After correctly answering a series of questions, the pair reached the $1 million round, where they were asked which pair of turkeys had not been pardoned by a US president. 

The options were Peanut Butter & Jelly, Tater & Tot, Mac & Cheese, and Spaghetti & Meatball. Not knowing the answer, the contestants first used their lifeline to ask host Jimmy Kimmel. Although Kimmel admitted he was not entirely certain, he guessed Spaghetti & Meatball.

Affleck and Ding then used another lifeline to phone Ding's longtime trivia partner, Stephen Morrison. Morrison also didn't know the answer and declined to make a guess, prompting Affleck to put his faith in Kimmel.

“I would bet on Jimmy. I would go for it.” As Ding locked in Spaghetti & Meatball with $1 million for charity on the line, Kimmel admitted, “I have such a stomach ache right now.” Moments later, the answer was revealed to be correct, and the studio filled with confetti as Affleck and Ding celebrated their $1 million charity win.

Back in 2025, Damon won the $1 million jackpot alongside trivia expert Ken Jennings. 

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's friendship has lasted for decades

For those who are unaware, Affleck and Damon have one of Hollywood's most well-known friendships, with their bond going back to their childhood days in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The two grew up near each other, became friends at a young age, and supported each other while trying to make their way as actors. 

Their big break came in 1997 when they co-wrote and starred in 'Good Will Hunting'. The film became a huge success and earned them the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, helping establish their careers in Hollywood.

Since then, Affleck and Damon have continued to support each other’s work and celebrate each other’s achievements. They also teamed up to launch Artists Equity, a production company created to give actors, writers, and other creatives a bigger share of the profits from their projects.