The pair secured the top prize after correctly identifying that no U.S. president had ever pardoned a turkey named Spaghetti & Meatball, according to broadcast details reported by Moneywise.
How Jamie Ding and Ben Affleck Secured the $1 Million Prize
Coming into the game show, Ding and Affleck needed to clear only the $500,000 and $1 million thresholds to claim the win for Affleck’s non-profit, according to Moneywise. They cleared the half-million-dollar mark by correctly answering a question about the Wright Brothers. The million-dollar question required naming past Thanksgiving turkeys pardoned by U.S. presidents.
Left on their own, the duo guessed that no president had ever pardoned a turkey named Spaghetti & Meatball. “I feel like I was quite nervous toward the end because it’s a lot of money,” Ding told USA Today. Affleck added, “It was a great honor to ride Jamie’s coattails all the way.”
Did you know?
Jamie Ding works his day job at a New Jersey housing and mortgage financing agency, according to Moneywise, balancing his professional career with historic game show appearances.
Rafied Air Among U.S. Game Show Champions
Winning Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? places Ding in an exclusive group of multi-franchise game show winners, according to Moneywise. Earlier this year, Ding recorded a 31-game winning streak on Jeopardy!—marking the fifth-longest streak in the show’s history—while accumulating $880,000 in winnings, as reported by Moneywise.
The company of multi-franchise grand prize winners remains small. Ken Jennings holds the record for the longest Jeopardy! streak and won the grand prize on Millionaire last year alongside actor Matt Damon, plus a victory on Grand Slam, according to Moneywise. Comedian and actor Ike Barinholtz also joins this tier, having won both Millionaire and Celebrity Jeopardy!, per Moneywise.
Preparation for the Tournament of Champions
Following his Millionaire victory, Ding returns to the Jeopardy! stage in August for the “Tournament of Champions,” according to TV Insider. He told TV Insider that his preparation involves watching previous episodes to track the competition and fine-tuning his response mechanics. “I’m not sure how much I need to work on buzzer timing, but definitely some amount of it — and, of course, I’m watching Jeopardy!,” Ding told TV Insider. “I’ve got to keep tabs on the competition. It’s going to be a barn burner.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What charity did Jamie Ding and Ben Affleck play for on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
They played for the Eastern Congo Initiative, Ben Affleck’s non-profit organization, according to Moneywise.
What was the final question that won them $1 million?
The winning question asked about the names of past Thanksgiving turkeys pardoned by U.s. presidents, with the duo correctly determining that no president had pardoned a turkey named Spaghetti & Meatball, according to Moneywise.
What is Jamie Ding’s history on Jeopardy!?
Jamie Ding completed a 31-game winning streak earlier this year—the fifth-longest in the show’s history—earning $880,000 in prize money, according to Moneywise.
When is Jamie Ding competing next?
Ding competes in the Jeopardy! “Tournament of Champions” in August, according to TV Insider.
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