Ben Affleck's Full Biography
Ben Affleck, widely recognized for his impressive acting skills and talent in screenwriting, catapulted to stardom after his remarkable contribution to the critically acclaimed movie Good Will Hunting. Collaborating with his lifelong friend and confidant, Matt Damon, the duo crafted a captivating storyline that captivated audiences and earned them the prestigious Academy Award for Best Picture. The year 1998 proved to be a pivotal moment in Affleck's career as he showcased his versatility through starring roles in the widely popular blockbuster Armageddon and the Academy Award-nominated film Shakespeare in Love.
After appearing in a diverse range of other movies, Affleck ventured into the world of directing and co-writing with the highly praised film Gone Baby Gone, which hit theaters in 2007. Argo, a movie he not only directed but also co-produced and acted in, triumphed at the Oscars in 2013 by winning Best Picture, while Affleck himself received the prestigious Golden Globe for Best Director in 2012. These accolades were well-deserved and showcased his immense talent. Subsequently, he made a remarkable return to acting with the gripping thriller Gone Girl (2014) before donning the iconic cape and cowl as Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).
Early Childhood/Education
Benjamin Geza Affleck, a renowned actor and filmmaker, graced the world on August 15, 1972, in the vibrant city of Berkeley, California. Born to loving parents Chris and Tim Affleck. During his formative years, at the tender age of 11, his parents concluded their marital journey, which had begun unraveling shortly after his birth. Following this life-altering event, Affleck and his siblings embarked on a new chapter in their lives, settling down in the charming city of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
At the young age of eight, Affleck made his television debut in the renowned production called The Voyage of the Mimi. It was during this time that fate brought him face to face with his future best friend, Matt Damon, who was just ten years old and lived merely two blocks away.
Together, they furthered their education at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, where they actively engaged in numerous theatrical endeavors. Remarkably, Affleck managed to secure roles in several network television dramas while still being a high school student.
Career
After attending the University of Vermont and Occidental College in California, Affleck decided to pursue his acting career in Hollywood. He made a promising start with his debut in School Ties (1992), appearing alongside actors Damon and Fraser. Affleck further demonstrated his versatility by portraying a menacing character in the popular 1993 film Dazed and Confused. He also took on roles in Kevin Smith's ensemble piece Mallrats (1995) and showcased his romantic side as a lead actor in Smith's Chasing Amy (1997).
After that, Ben Affleck adapted Matt Damon's one-act play into a screenplay, resulting in the 1997 drama film Good Will Hunting, where Damon stars as the brilliant mathematician, Will Hunting, alongside his childhood friend, portrayed by Affleck. Casey Affleck, Ben's brother, also appears in the film. Good Will Hunting achieved great success both commercially and critically, with nine Academy Award nominations and winning the prestigious award for Best Original Screenplay.
Affleck's career was revolutionized by the film Good Will Hunting. He went on to appear in movies like Armageddon (1998), Tom Stoppard's period piece Shakespeare in Love (1998), and Kevin Smith's Dogma (1999), in which both Affleck and Damon played fallen angels. In the film Pearl Harbor, Affleck portrayed a patriotic American pilot who bravely fought alongside the British during World War II.
In 2002, Ben Affleck took on the role of CIA agent Jack Ryan in the widely acclaimed movie The Sum of All Fears, which was a thrilling adaptation of Tom Clancy's best-selling spy novel. Following that success, Affleck shared the screen with Jennifer Garner in the 2003 film adaptation of the renowned comic book series Daredevil.
Affleck and Jennifer Lopez co-starred in the critically panned 2003 film Gigli. The extensive tabloid coverage of his engagement to Lopez, which lasted for two years, overshadowed his career.
Despite a brief hiatus due to his highly publicized relationship with Lopez, Affleck managed to stay active in the acting world. It wasn't until 2006, however, that he truly regained his star power with his portrayal of George Reeves in the biopic Hollywoodland.
Critics praised his performance, and he even earned a Golden Globe nomination. In 2009, Affleck showcased his versatility by appearing in a range of films, including the crime drama State of Play, the workplace satire Extract, and the romantic comedy He's Just Not That into You, which featured Jennifer Aniston as well.
Affleck's 2010's credits include The Company Men, To the Wonder, and Runner Runner. He starred in 2014's Gone Girl, and later played Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. In 2016, he played a math savant in The Accountant. In 2019, he directed Triple Frontier, a thriller where former Special Forces operatives face moral dilemmas after staging a heist.
In 2020, Affleck starred in crime dramas like The Last Thing He Wanted and The Way Back. He later reunited with Damon Robbie to star in Ridley Scott's The Last Duel, a medieval drama based on a true story. In 2021, he starred in The Tender Bar, a bartender's memoir, directed by George Clooney. Affleck also appeared in Deep Water, a thriller inspired by Patricia Highsmith's novel.
Business Ventures
Artists Equity is a new production company owned by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. They produced the movie Air together through Artists Equity.
Personal Life
Ben Affleck is married to Jennifer Lopez. This is their second chance relationship as they were engaged once before. The two dated from 2002-2004 originally.
In 2003, he met and fell in love with Jennifer Garner. The two married in 2005 and have three children together, Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. They announced that they separated the day after their 10 year anniversary, and their divorce was finalized in 2018.
Net Worth
Ben Affleck has a net worth of $150 million. His income comes primarily through his acting credits as he claims anywhere from $15-$20 million per movie.
Activism
Ben Affleck is an avid supporter of a wide variety of worthwhile organizations, including the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Eastern Congo Initiative, the A-T Children's Project, and Feeding America.
