#10. John Carpenter

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: $1,250,000

Total winnings: $1,250,000

John Carpenter created the original Halloween…but that’s a different guy. This John Carpenter was the first million-dollar winner on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Carpenter only used one lifeline on the show – phone a friend. – to call his father and say, “I don’t really need your help. I just wanted to let you know I’m going to win the million dollars.”