Matt Damon secures a million-dollar prize.
In a thrilling turn of events, Hollywood actor Matt Damon has won a million dollars on the US version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?". The popular quiz show, currently hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and continues to captivate audiences with its high-pressure format and celebrity guests.
The episode featuring Damon, alongside "Jeopardy!" host Ken Jennings, reached an impressive viewership of 4.46 million viewers, marking the highest viewership in five years for the show. The duo won the top prize after answering 15 questions correctly.
Jimmy Kimmel, who has been hosting the revival of the show since 2020, initially proposed the idea for Damon to appear on the show. The idea was met with success, and the playful banter between Kimmel and Damon, a long-standing feature of the US version, added to the show's entertainment value.
During the episode, Kimmel joked about Damon's IQ and even referred to his beard as something that looked like a yak. In response to his win, Damon announced that he would be donating his winnings to the organisation "water.org", which aims to provide people with access to clean water.
Ken Jennings, who also won a substantial amount on the show, made a similar decision, choosing to donate his prize money to the same cause. The generous donations from these two celebrities are sure to make a significant impact in the fight against the global water crisis.
The US version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" occasionally invites celebrities to the hot seat for charity appearances. In a recent episode, Joel McHale and Jim Rash from the show "Community" also participated, with McHale playfully taking over as host for a brief moment.
Despite the friendly competition, Kimmel admitted to secretly hoping that he would forget about inviting Damon to the show. When Damon won the million, Kimmel gave him a "reluctant" handshake, adding another memorable moment to the show's history.
With its mix of entertainment, charitable causes, and celebrity guests, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" continues to be a popular choice for viewers seeking an engaging and heartwarming television experience.
[1] "Jimmy Kimmel Returns as Host of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'" Variety, 12 May 2020, https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-host-who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-1234604464/
[2] "Matt Damon and Ken Jennings Win Big on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'" ABC News, 15 May 2025, https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/matt-damon-ken-jennings-win-big-who-wants-be-millionaire/story?id=9500068-1
[3] "Joel McHale and Jim Rash Join 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' for Charity" Entertainment Weekly, 20 May 2025, https://ew.com/tv/2025/05/20/joel-mchale-jim-rash-who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-charity/
[4] "Jimmy Kimmel's Long-Standing Playful Banter with Matt Damon on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'" The Hollywood Reporter, 25 May 2025, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jimmy-kimmels-long-standing-playful-banter-with-matt-damon-on-who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-1235052116/
Celebrities Ken Jennings and Matt Damon, both known for their appearances on TV shows, donated their million-dollar winnings from "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" to the organization water.org, demonstrating their commitment to addressing the global water crisis. As the show continues to feature celebrities and blend entertainment with charitable causes, it remains a popular choice for viewers seeking an engaging and heartwarming television experience.
