Matt Damon emerges victorious on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," earning the historic one million dollar prize.
Matt Damon and Ken Jennings Win $1 Million on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"
In a thrilling finale on the special celebrity edition of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," aired in July 2025, Matt Damon and US host Ken Jennings teamed up to claim the top prize of $1 million. The million-dollar question was about the sound that tree leaves make when the wind blows through them, with the correct answer being "susurrus."
The question, which asked: "Which of these words is often used to describe one of the most beautiful auditory effects on Earth: the sound made by the leaves of trees when wind blows through them?" had four options: Apricity, Petrichor, Susurrus, and Eudaemonia. After using the 50/50 lifeline to narrow down the choices, the duo confidently chose "susurrus," a word recognized by Ken Jennings.
"Susurrus" refers to a soft, whispering or rustling sound, perfectly capturing the gentle noise of leaves stirred by the wind. The studio fell silent as the final million-dollar question was revealed, and the air was thick with anticipation. Ken Jennings, known for his impressive knowledge, was confident in the answer, and Matt Damon, who had compared Jennings to Michael Jordan in terms of his expertise on the quiz show, seemed equally assured.
As the answer, "Susurrus," was confirmed correct, the studio erupted in cheers, and confetti cannons filled the air. The million-dollar prize will go to Matt Damon's charity, Water.org, which aims to provide clean water and sanitation to people in need around the world.
The most-watched episode of "Millionaire" in the past five years was due to Matt Damon's appearance, and the show saw a 5% increase in viewership. Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel had playful banter during the show, with Damon dryly commenting about Kimmel during the $500,000 question. Jimmy Kimmel retorted with a comment about Matt Damon during the show, adding to the entertaining atmosphere.
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" became the most popular program of the evening due to Matt Damon's appearance, and the episode will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most exciting and memorable episodes of the show.
"The thrilling victory of Matt Damon and Ken Jennings on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' showcased their success in the world of entertainment, making headlines and captivating viewers with their intellectual prowess."
"As celebrities, their win not only showcased their individual talents but also highlighted the beauty of language, with the use of the word 'susurrus' during the million-dollar question."
