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Watch: Jeopardy Champ Jamie Ding Draws Ben Affleck Live
Jamie Ding: From Jeopardy! Champ to Millionaire Teammate with Ben Affleck
Who Is Jamie Ding?
Imagine being really good at trivia—so good that you win almost $900,000 on TV! That’s Jamie Ding. He’s a bureaucrat (that’s someone who works in government offices) from Lawrenceville, New Jersey who became a game show superstar.
Important Point: Jamie isn’t just a one-show wonder. He first crushed it on Jeopardy! and now he’s teaming up with a Hollywood superstar on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
His Jeopardy! Journey: 32 Games of Glory
The Numbers That’ll Make Your Jaw Drop
- Total Winnings: $885,605 (that’s eight hundred eighty-five thousand, six hundred five dollars!)
- Games Won: 32 straight victories
- Final Game: Lost on his 32nd game to Greg Shahade
- Big Achievement: Highest winner of the season
What Comes Next?
Because he won so much, Jamie earned a golden ticket to the 2027 Tournament of Champions (TOC). Think of it like the "Super Bowl of Jeopardy!" where only the best players get invited.
His future opponents include:
- Harrison Whitaker
- Tristan Williams
- Mina Kimes (yes, the famous sports analyst!)
- And other top champions
The Millionaire Adventure: Teaming Up with Batman
The Ultimate Odd Couple
Jamie describes himself and Ben Affleck perfectly: "I became a celebrity about three months ago. Ben’s been famous for a very long time. Quite the odd couple."
Fun Fact: Ben Affleck isn’t just any actor—he played Batman in the movies!
What Happened So Far
- They started playing together on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
- They almost got stumped on the $250,000 question (that’s a quarter of a million dollars!)
- The game paused and will continue on July 29
- They’re playing for charity—the Eastern Congo Initiative (Ben’s organization that helps people in Congo)
Jamie’s Strategy: "Savor Each Question"
Unlike Jeopardy! where you buzz in fast, Millionaire gives you time to think. Jamie says:
"One of the benefits to Millionaire is you get more time, and you get to really talk things through."
His goal? Answer correctly AND enjoy the ride.
The Art Break: Drawing Batman
During a fun segment, Jamie drew Ben Affleck while answering rapid-fire questions. Here’s what happened:
The Masterpiece
- Subject: Ben Affleck as Batman
- Speech Bubble: "Martha! Why did you say that name?" (A famous line from Batman v Superman)
- Jamie’s Outfit: Looking sharp in a suit!
Rapid-Fire Q&A While Drawing
| Question | Jamie’s Answer |
|---|---|
| Strategy for Millionaire? | "Savor each question" |
| How did Jeopardy! prepare you? | For being in LA and being on TV |
| Favorite Jeopardy! lifeline? | Phone-a-Friend |
| What rhymes with orange? | "Your hinge" (clever!) |
| Favorite fun fact? | Poet e.e. cummings’ gravestone is in ALL CAPS despite him writing his name in lowercase |
Deep Thought: Jamie wonders if the capital letters on cummings’ grave was "an insult or if that was his choice. And I guess we can’t ask him now."
When & Where to Watch
Mark Your Calendar
- Show: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
- Day: Wednesdays
- Time: 8/7c (8 PM Eastern, 7 PM Central)
- Channel: ABC
- Streaming: Hulu
- Big Episode: July 29 — Jamie and Ben finish their game!
Also Catch Jamie On:
- Jeopardy! Season 43 — Starting September 2026 (check local listings)
- 2027 Tournament of Champions — Early 2027
Summary: Why This Is Awesome
- Regular Person → Game Show Legend: Jamie went from government job to winning nearly $1 million on TV
- Two Worlds Collide: A trivia master teams up with Batman (Ben Affleck)
- For a Good Cause: They’re playing to help people in Congo
- The Journey Continues: Jamie’s heading to the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions in 2027
- You Can Watch It All: On ABC, Hulu, and your local Jeopardy! station
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Who is Jamie Ding?
A former Jeopardy! champion who won 32 games and $885,605. He’s a bureaucrat from New Jersey now competing on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? with Ben Affleck.
Why is he playing with Ben Affleck?
Millionaire has a format where celebrities team up with contestants. Ben Affleck (yes, the Batman actor!) is Jamie’s celebrity teammate.
What are they playing for?
They’re trying to win $1 million for the Eastern Congo Initiative—Ben Affleck’s charity that helps people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Did they win the million?
We don’t know yet! They got stuck on the $250,000 question, and the game continues on July 29. Tune in to find out!
What’s next for Jamie after Millionaire?
He’s qualified for the 2027 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions where he’ll face other top winners like Harrison Whitaker, Tristan Williams, and Mina Kimes.
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