Wheel of FortunePlayer Scores Big Win with Help from His Son Who Has Dyslexia: 'A Top Ten Moment in My 44 Years of Life'

Mar. 15, 2025

Wheel of Fortune player Matt Popovits and his family.Photo:Sony Pictures

Sony Pictures

AWheel of Fortunewinner is attributing his success to his son.

“I have two great kids – Ava and Jack,” he explained. “And when Jack was diagnosed with dyslexia, we said, ‘Let’s watchWheelas a way of helping him learn to read and spell.’”

“So, we started watchingWheeland he said, ‘Dad you should audition,’” Popovits continued. “And I said, ‘I will if you help me, and he did and here we are!'”

Ryan Seacrest and Matt Popovits on Wheel of Fortune.Sony Pictures

Popovits ended the game with $16,350 and a trip to Mexico, and later ended up correctly guessing the answer to theBonus Round question. When hostRyan Seacrestannounced that Popovits would be taking home $56,000, his family rushed toward him to celebrate.

“What do you think of dad?” Seacrest asked his son Jack.

“Amazing!” Jack replied, excitedly.

Ryan Seacrest, Matt Popovits and his family on Wheel of Fortune.Sony Pictures

After the episode aired, Popovitsshared a series of photos and videoson Instagram, showing a viewing party and clips from the episode.

“This will go down as a top ten moment in my 44 years of life,” he wrote in the caption. “But what has made it so great isn’t the fact that I got to play an iconic game or win the bonus round.”

“It was sharing that moment with my family and then celebrating it with all of you,” he continued.

“Also, Ryan andVanna [White]are the real deal - so very kind," he added of the co-hosts.

Wheel of Fortune player Matt Popovits and his family.Sony Pictures

Several days before, Popovitstook to social media toreveal that he’d be appearing on the fan-favorite show. In the video, he was flaunting aWheel of Fortuneshirt and encouraging people to tune in.

“I’ve always lovedWheel of Fortune,” his caption began before he shared how Jack inspired him to watch the show. “Together we made a video and sent in an audition tape. And just a few weeks later, we were all at Sony Pictures Studios, filming an episode ofWheel!”

He concluded: “We would LOVE for you to tune in and cheer us on. You never know what could happen. We could befriend the bankrupts and come home empty-handed, or we just might win a million dollars.”

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Wheel of Fortuneairs weeknights on (check local listings).

source: people.com