Hollywood Life

‘O.C.’ Fans Think Ben McKenzie Is The Lucky Powerball Winner From Chino Hills, CA – See Tweets

Ben McKenzie Won Powerball
Image Courtesy of FOX
Celebrity Baby Editor

And the Powerball winner is … Ryan Atwood? The O.C. fans were convinced that the fictional character from Chino, California won the billion-plus lotto jackpot on Jan. 13 and they sent out some hilarious tweets congratulating him. But better than that, Ryan himself (aka Ben McKenzie) played along! Wait until you see this!

Unfortunately, Ryan Atwood only exists in our dreams, but still, many fans just couldn’t help proclaim Ben Mckenzie’s fan-favorite character the winner of the $1.6 billion lottery on Jan. 13 after it was confirmed one of the winners was from Chino Hills, California. Lovers of The O.C. took to Twitter  and completely freaked out in declaring Ryan a fast millionaire. And yes, Ben got back to all of them — with the most amazing tweet ever!

After it was announced that one of the three Jan. 13 lottery winners bought their ticket in Chino Hills, California, fans of The O.C., immediately remembered that our favorite bad boy, Ryan Atwood, hailed from Chino, a suburb with a near-identical name.

But let’s get it right people, Chino Hills is a very different place from just plain Chino — but apparently that’s only a minor detail! Because nonetheless people took to Twitter to express their excitement and hilariously congratulate Ryan on his big win.

The fan love was so strong, even Ryan himself (aka Ben Mckenzie, 37) couldn’t help but respond. He graciously thanked social media for proclaiming him the big winner and ended with a special Chino shoutout, “#chino4eva.” Aww, once from Chino, always from Chino!

But even without the jackpot, Ben seems to be doing pretty well these days as he traded in Ryan’s leather jacket for Police Commissioner James Gordon’s bulletproof vest on FOX’s drama, Gotham.

Besides, it’s probably for the best that Ben/Ryan didn’t win. Because come on, we all know what Ryan likes about “rich kids”… “Nothing!” 

Tell us HollywoodLifers, were you a part of team Ryan? What do YOU think Ryan Atwood would have done with the jackpot?