Here’s the game show moment everyone’s talking about! Oscar-winning actress Helen Hunt dazzled audiences during her nail-biting appearance on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. With her Hacks co-star Dan Bucatinsky by her side, Hunt turned a night of high-stakes trivia into a masterclass in strategy, quick wit, and straight-up common sense—all for charity.
Helen Hunt on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: How She Won $125,000 the Smart Way
On August 13, 2025, Helen Hunt and Dan Bucatinsky lit up Season 4, Episode 4 of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, raising $125,000 for two organizations close to their hearts: St. Joseph Center (supporting LA’s vulnerable communities) and The Trevor Project (supporting LGBTQ+ youth). Their approach? Unapologetically use the lifelines early and prioritize what mattered most—helping others—over TV glory.
The pair tore through the first eight questions with confidence, only tapping into lifelines when truly unsure. For a $16,000 CROWN act question, they went with the classic “50/50.” The $64,000 milestone saw them phoning their friend, Jeopardy! champ Tim Lopez, who nailed the answer with rapid-fire brilliance—earning a cheeky “sexy” shout-out from Helen herself for his quick thinking.
When things got tricky at the $125,000 mark, Hunt and Bucatinsky used “Ask the Audience” on a math problem. But for the $250,000 question—a head-scratcher about movie timelines—they wisely burned their final lifeline: “Ask the Host.” Jimmy Kimmel took his best guess…but instead of gambling on the host’s hunch, Helen and Dan chose to walk away, locking in their $125,000 for charity. Turns out, if they’d gone with Kimmel, they would’ve crashed to just $32,000—proving that listening to your gut sometimes beats trusting the host.
What Fans Are Asking: Helen Hunt, Jimmy Kimmel, and Playing for a Cause
Helen Hunt announced her Millionaire moment with pure excitement on Instagram, cheering: “Woohooo!!!!! TOMORROW NIGHT! I play ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ with @jimmykimmel and partner @danbucatinsky”. Fans loved her heartfelt shoutouts to St. Joseph Center and The Trevor Project, flooding social media with support for her generosity and fun-loving spirit.
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Jimmy Kimmel, meanwhile, kept the mood light, joking about his answers and the celebrity contestants throughout the episode. It’s clear that Hunt and Bucatinsky’s approach—using lifelines confidently, knowing when to quit—set them apart from other guests, and fans are still raving about their mix of brains and humility.
Wondering when to catch more Millionaire magic? New episodes air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and stream on Hulu.
Key Takeaways for Celebrity Millionaire Trivia
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Helen Hunt and Dan Bucatinsky won $125,000 for charity, rejecting risky guesses for a guaranteed win.
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Their “play it smart” strategy stood out from other teams, proving lifelines are for using—not saving.
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The stars played for two impactful causes: St. Joseph Center and The Trevor Project, earning fans’ respect and love.
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Jimmy Kimmel’s hosting kept things lively, but Helen Hunt proved you don’t need to be a trivia genius—just gutsy and wise.
Bottom line: Helen Hunt’s epic run on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire wasn’t just about prize money—it was a masterclass in heart, teamwork, and fearless decision-making. Going with intelligence (and a little help from friends) over risky guesses, she turned every moment on Jimmy Kimmel’s hot seat into pure must-watch TV.
