Helen Hunt and Dan Bucatinsky outsmarted a risky Who Wants to Be a Millionaire moment, rejecting Jimmy Kimmel’s answer to secure $125,000 for charity. See how their gameplay unfolded.
Helen Hunt & Dan Bucatinsky Win $125,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire — How They Outplayed Jimmy Kimmel’s Guess
The August 13, 2025, episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Season 4 turned into a masterclass in smart gameplay when Helen Hunt and Dan Bucatinsky secured $125,000 for charity. The celebrity pair navigated tricky questions, used their lifelines wisely, and—most critically—rejected Jimmy Kimmel’s suggested answer on the $250,000 question, walking away with their winnings intact.
The money was split between two causes:
- St. Joseph Centre, which provides housing and meals for homeless individuals.
- The Trevor Project, a national organization focused on suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth.
Strong Start Without Lifelines
Helen Hunt and Dan opened the game with confidence, correctly answering eight consecutive questions without burning a single lifeline. This strong early performance put them in a comfortable position heading into the higher-stakes rounds.
Early, Strategic Lifeline Usage
While many contestants try to save lifelines for the final questions, Helen Hunt and Dan took the opposite approach, ensuring they stayed in control.
| Question Level | Lifeline Used | Details & Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| $16,000 | 50/50 | Used to narrow options for a question about the CROWN Act title, increasing their confidence to lock in the right answer. |
| $64,000 | Phone a Friend | Called Tim Lopez, former Jeopardy! champion, who answered instantly. Helen joked it was “the best Phone a Friend” in the show’s history. |
Their strategy kept momentum going and avoided risky blind guesses in the mid-tier range.
The $250,000 Question—The Game-Changer
By the time they reached the $250,000 question, Helen and Dan had only Ask the Audience and Ask the Host left.
- Ask the Audience:The poll produced scattered results, offering no clear direction.
- Ask the Host:Jimmy Kimmel confidently suggested an answer—but the duo hesitated.
After deliberation, they decided not to risk losing $93,000 by dropping from $125,000 to $32,000. Instead, they chose to walk away.
Later, it was revealed that Jimmy’s answer was incorrect—confirming that their decision to quit was the smarter play.
Adam Devine & Anders Holm Take a Different Path
The episode also featured Adam Devine and Anders Holm, who adopted a “save lifelines for later” approach. Unfortunately, it backfired.
Their $125,000 question: Which celebrity turned down the role of Han Solo?
- Anders leaned toward Robert Redford after recalling something he’d seen online.
- The correct answer was Al Pacino.
They locked in the wrong choice without using a lifeline, dropping to $32,000 and leaving their unused help on the table.
Why Helen & Dan’s Strategy Worked
Helen Hunt and Dan Bucatinsky’s gameplay highlighted several Who Wants to Be a Millionaire lessons:
- Use lifelines when they matter most—avoiding mid-game stumbles keeps you in the money.
- Walking away can be a winning move—quitting at the right time preserved their $125,000 total.
- Even the host can be wrong—relying solely on the host’s guess is a gamble.
Their approach balanced risk and reward, ultimately benefiting both their chosen charities in a big way.
FAQs
Q: How much did Helen Hunt and Dan Bucatinsky win?
A: They won $125,000 for charity on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Season 4.
Q: Which charities benefited from their win?
A: St. Joseph Centre and The Trevor Project.
Q: Why didn’t they take Jimmy Kimmel’s answer?
A: They weren’t confident in his guess and chose to walk away to avoid losing $93,000.
Q: Who else competed in the episode?
A: Adam Devine and Anders Holm, who unfortunately dropped to $32,000 after answering incorrectly.