Nashville star Charles Esten has raised $500,000 (£312,500) for a children's cancer charity after taking part in a celebrity edition of U.S. game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

The actor, also known as Chip Esten, joined host Cedric the Entertainer to try his hand at winning the big bucks on Wednesday's (04Jun14) episode of the show and, after returning to complete his game on Thursday (05Jun14), he made it all the way to the $500,000 mark.

He donated the funds to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and explained the cause was close to his heart as his youngest daughter, Addie, had been diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of two. She underwent years of intensive treatment as a kid and the now-14 year old is in remission.

Her health crisis has since inspired her family to become active supporters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which aims to educate people about the disease and aid research into finding a cure.

Esten tells People.com, "My heart breaks for those families that lost their child. We always loved our children - they were everything to us. But after all this, you understand the tenuousness of life. We're so blessed that Addie survived."

During his appearance on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Esten, who portrays musician Deacon Claybourne on country music Tv drama Nashville, surprised Cedric the Entertainer by gifting him with an autographed guitar.

He told the presenter, "I heard rumours you were a fan of the show so I brought you a signed guitar and I want you to have it."

The instrument was signed by Esten and a few of his co-stars, including Connie Britton and Maisy Stella.