John Carpenter (Who Wants to be a Millionaire winner)

John Carpenter (Born 1968) was the first top prize winner in the United States version of the quiz show Who Wants to be a Millionaire. He won US$1,000,000.00 on November 19, 1999. For over two years that stood as the largest single win in United States game show history, until Kevin Olmstead won US$2,180,000.00 on the same show.

Related Topics:
1968 - United States - Quiz show - Who Wants to be a Millionaire - US$ - November 19 - 1999 - Kevin Olmstead

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carpenter was a collections agent for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service from New Haven, Connecticut, when he came onto the show. His winning "Fastest Finger" time was 5.42 seconds. When he revealed his profession, he became the first contestant to be booed on the show (granted, the booing was done in a playful manner).

Related Topics:
Internal Revenue Service - New Haven - Connecticut - Booed

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The million-dollar question was "Which of these U.S. Presidents appeared on the television series Laugh-In?" The choices, in order, were Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. The correct answer was Richard Nixon.

Related Topics:
U.S. Presidents - Laugh-In - Lyndon Johnson - Richard Nixon - Jimmy Carter - Gerald Ford

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While no other contestant had ever answered all questions correctly even with the use of three lifelines, Carpenter proceeded to answer all questions correctly without using one, save the "phone-a-friend" lifeline on the final question to inform his father that he was about to win the million.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Carpenter is not related to movie director John Carpenter.