Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ben Affleck
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ben Affleck made an impact.
Ben Affleck is a prominent American actor and filmmaker recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, two BAFTAs, and three Golden Globes. He began his acting career as a child in the PBS series 'The Voyage of the Mimi' during the 1980s. He gained further recognition in the 1990s with roles in independent films such as 'Dazed and Confused' and Kevin Smith's comedies, notably 'Chasing Amy.' He is known for both his acting and directing endeavors in the entertainment industry.
1981: Appeared in The Dark End of the Street
In 1981, at the age of seven, Ben Affleck appeared in an independent film, "The Dark End of the Street", directed by a family friend.
1984: Starred in The Voyage of the Mimi
In 1984, Ben Affleck began his career as a child actor, starring in the PBS educational series "The Voyage of the Mimi".
1986: Appeared in Wanted: A Perfect Man
In 1986, Ben Affleck appeared in the ABC after school special "Wanted: A Perfect Man".
1987: Appeared in Hands of a Stranger
In 1987, Ben Affleck appeared in the television film "Hands of a Stranger".
1988: Continued Role in The Voyage of the Mimi
In 1988, Ben Affleck continued his role in the PBS educational series "The Voyage of the Mimi".
1988: Starred in The Second Voyage of the Mimi
In 1988, Ben Affleck starred in "The Second Voyage of the Mimi", produced for sixth-grade science classes.
1989: Appeared in a Burger King commercial
In 1989, Ben Affleck appeared in a Burger King commercial.
1991: Played Patrick Duffy's son in Daddy
In 1991, Ben Affleck played Patrick Duffy's son in the television film "Daddy".
1992: Appearance in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In 1992, Ben Affleck made an uncredited appearance as a basketball player in the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" film and had a supporting role in "School Ties".
1992: Damon wrote script for Good Will Hunting
In 1992, Matt Damon wrote a 40-page script for a playwriting class at Harvard University which would later become "Good Will Hunting". He asked Ben Affleck to act out the scenes with him.
1993: Appeared in Dazed and Confused
In 1993, Ben Affleck appeared in the independent comedy film "Dazed and Confused".
1993: Role in Against the Grain and Dazed and Confused
In 1993, Ben Affleck played a high school quarterback in the NBC television series "Against the Grain", and also played a high school bully in Richard Linklater's "Dazed and Confused".
1994: Sold Good Will Hunting Screenplay
In 1994, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon sold the screenplay for "Good Will Hunting" to Castle Rock when Affleck was 22 years old.
1994: Role in Body to Die For
In 1994, Ben Affleck played a steroid-abusing high school football player in "Body to Die For: The Aaron Henry Story".
1995: Starred in Glory Daze and Mallrats
In 1995, Ben Affleck's first starring film role was in "Glory Daze". He also played a bully in Kevin Smith's comedy "Mallrats".
1997: Won Academy Award for Good Will Hunting
In 1997, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for writing "Good Will Hunting", in which they also starred.
1997: Appeared in Chasing Amy
In 1997, Ben Affleck appeared in the Kevin Smith comedy "Chasing Amy".
1997: Starred in Chasing Amy and Going All the Way
In 1997, Ben Affleck starred in "Chasing Amy", which became his breakthrough role, and also starred in the coming-of-age drama "Going All the Way".
1997: Wins Golden Globe and Academy Award for Good Will Hunting
In 1997, Ben Affleck won the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, which he co-wrote with Matt Damon. Affleck remains the youngest person ever to win a Best Original Screenplay Oscar, at 25 years old.
1997: Good Will Hunting Marked Turning Point
In 1997, the success of "Good Will Hunting", co-written by and starring Ben Affleck, marked a turning point in his career.
1998: Starred in Armageddon
In 1998, "Armageddon" was released, establishing Ben Affleck as a leading man for Hollywood studio films. Affleck starred opposite Bruce Willis.
1998: Founded Pearl Street Films
In 1998, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon set up Pearl Street Films, named after the street that ran between their childhood homes.
1998: Shakespeare in Love and Phantoms
In 1998, Ben Affleck had a supporting role in "Shakespeare in Love", which won seven Academy Awards and he also appeared in the supernatural horror film "Phantoms".
1998: Befriending Joe Kindregan
In 1998, while filming Forces of Nature, Ben Affleck befriended ten-year-old Joe Kindregan, who had ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), and his family.
1999: Dogma, Forces of Nature and 200 Cigarettes
In 1999, Ben Affleck reunited with Matt Damon in Kevin Smith's "Dogma", starred in "Forces of Nature" opposite Sandra Bullock, and appeared in the ensemble comedy "200 Cigarettes".
1999: Foreword for 'Guardian Devil'
In 1999, Ben Affleck, a comic book fan, wrote the foreword for Kevin Smith's 'Guardian Devil', expressing his love for the character Daredevil.
2000: Co-founded LivePlanet
In 2000, Ben Affleck co-founded LivePlanet with Sean Bailey and Chris Moore to integrate the Internet into mainstream television and film production.
2000: Speaking at Harvard Rally
In 2000, Ben Affleck spoke at a rally at Harvard University in support of an increased living wage for all workers on campus.
2000: Starred in Reindeer Games, Boiler Room, and Bounce
In 2000, Ben Affleck starred in "Reindeer Games", had a supporting role in "Boiler Room", voiced Joseph in "Joseph: King of Dreams", and starred in "Bounce" opposite Gwyneth Paltrow.
2000: Starred in Reindeer Games
In 2000, Ben Affleck starred in the action crime thriller "Reindeer Games".
2001: Testifying Before House Appropriations Subcommittee
In 2001, Ben Affleck and Joe Kindregan testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education to support stem-cell research and to double the budget of the National Institutes of Health.
2001: Starred in Pearl Harbor and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
In 2001, Ben Affleck starred in "Pearl Harbor" and parodied "Good Will Hunting" with Matt Damon in Kevin Smith's "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back".
2002: Narrating Occupation Documentary
In 2002, Ben Affleck narrated a documentary, Occupation, about a sit-in organized by the Harvard Living Wage Campaign.
2002: Starred in The Sum of All Fears and Changing Lanes
In 2002, Ben Affleck portrayed Jack Ryan in "The Sum of All Fears" and starred in the thriller "Changing Lanes".
2002: Starred in The Sum of All Fears
In 2002, Ben Affleck starred in the thriller "The Sum of All Fears".
2002: Project Greenlight nominated for Emmy
In 2002, LivePlanet's documentary series "Project Greenlight" was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program. Ben Affleck also created the show Push, Nevada.
2003: Intention to adapt story
In 2003, Ben Affleck first mentioned his intention to adapt the story which eventually become the movie 'Gone Baby Gone' released in 2007.
2003: Roles in 'Daredevil', 'Gigli', and 'Paycheck'
In 2003, Ben Affleck starred as Daredevil, a blind superhero, in the film 'Daredevil', which was commercially successful but received mixed reviews. He also appeared as a mobster in 'Gigli', which was panned, and as a reverse engineer in 'Paycheck'.
2003: Visiting Marines in the Persian Gulf
In 2003, Ben Affleck visited marines stationed in the Persian Gulf as part of a USO-sponsored tour.
2004: Project Greenlight nominated for Emmy
In 2004, "Project Greenlight" was again nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program.
2004: Press Conference with Ted Kennedy
In 2004, Ben Affleck and Senator Ted Kennedy held a press conference on Capitol Hill, pushing for an increase in the minimum wage.
2004: Roles in 'Jersey Girl' and 'Surviving Christmas'
In 2004, Ben Affleck starred in 'Jersey Girl' and 'Surviving Christmas', receiving poor critical notices. Negative press coverage affected him, leading to a career break.
2004: Involvement in John Kerry's Presidential Campaign
In 2004, Ben Affleck was involved in John Kerry's presidential campaign, speaking to delegations, appearing on political discussion shows, attending fundraising events, and traveling with Kerry during the Believe in America Tour.
2005: Project Greenlight nominated for Emmy
In 2005, "Project Greenlight" was again nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program.
2006: Career Comeback with 'Hollywoodland'
In 2006, Ben Affleck began a career comeback with his performance in 'Hollywoodland', earning the Volpi Cup and a Golden Globe nomination. He also had cameos in 'Clerks II', 'Man About Town', and 'Smokin' Aces'.
2006: Won Volpi Cup for Hollywoodland
In 2006, Ben Affleck portrayed George Reeves in the biopic "Hollywoodland", winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.
2006: Golden Globe nomination for Hollywoodland
In 2006, Ben Affleck received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the movie Hollywoodland.
2007: Disney film deal expired
In 2007, Ben Affleck and his partners' film production deal with Disney expired.
2007: Global Warming Awareness Video
In 2007, Ben Affleck appeared in a global warming awareness video produced by the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Also in 2007, Affleck admitted he was not "particularly good at being green".
2007: Filming PSA for Divided We Fail
In 2007, Ben Affleck filmed a public service announcement for Divided We Fail, a nonpartisan AARP campaign seeking affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans, and criticized the Bush tax cuts.
2007: Directed Gone Baby Gone
In 2007, Ben Affleck made his directorial debut with "Gone Baby Gone", which he also co-wrote. The film was well received.
2007: Directorial Debut with 'Gone Baby Gone'
In 2007, Ben Affleck made his feature film directorial debut with 'Gone Baby Gone', a crime drama set in Boston that received enthusiastic reviews. Affleck had first mentioned his intention to adapt the story in 2003.
2007: Supporting SEIU Unionization Efforts
In 2007, Ben Affleck spoke at a press conference at Boston's City Hall in support of SEIU's unionization efforts for the city's low-paid hospital workers.
2008: Supporting Writers' Strike
During the Writers' Strike in 2008, Ben Affleck voiced support for the picketers.
2008: Appearance at Denver Food Bank
In 2008, Ben Affleck made an appearance at a Denver food bank to support Feeding America.
2009: Acting roles in 'He's Just Not That Into You', 'State of Play', and 'Extract'
In 2009, Ben Affleck acted in three films: 'He's Just Not That Into You', 'State of Play', and 'Extract'.
2009: Filming PSA for Paralyzed Veterans of America
In 2009, Ben Affleck filmed public service announcements for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
2009: Speaking at Feeding America Rally
In 2009, Ben Affleck spoke at a Feeding America rally in Washington D.C.
2010: Co-founding Eastern Congo Initiative
In 2010, Ben Affleck and Whitney Williams co-founded the nonprofit organization Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI), which acts as a grant maker for Congolese-led, community-based charities.
2010: Directing and starring in 'The Town'
In 2010, Ben Affleck directed and starred in 'The Town', which became a box office hit and garnered critical acclaim. Also, Affleck and Damon's production company signed a deal with Warner Bros.
2010: Filming PSA for Feeding America
In 2010, Ben Affleck filmed a public service announcement for the charity Feeding America.
2010: Starring in 'The Company Men'
In 2010, Ben Affleck starred in 'The Company Men' as a sales executive made redundant during the financial crisis, receiving praise for his performance.
2011: Launching Small Change Campaign
In 2011, Ben Affleck and Ellen DeGeneres launched Feeding America's Small Change Campaign.
2012: Directing 'Argo'
In 2012, Ben Affleck directed and starred in 'Argo', a film about the Iran hostage crisis, which won the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and BAFTA Award for Best Picture, solidifying his directing career.
2012: Won BAFTA and Academy Award for Argo
In 2012, Ben Affleck directed and starred in the political thriller "Argo", winning the BAFTA Award for Best Director, and the BAFTA and Academy Award for Best Picture.
2012: Wins awards for Argo
In 2012, Ben Affleck won the Golden Globe Award, BAFTA, and Directors Guild Award for Best Director, as well as the Golden Globe Award, BAFTA, the Producers Guild Award, and the Academy Award for Best Picture for the film Argo, which he directed, co-produced, and starred in.
2013: Matching Donations for A-T Children's Project
In 2013, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner matched donations made to the A-T Children's Project in celebration of Joe Kindregan's 25th birthday and 15 years of friendship.
2013: Roles in 'To the Wonder' and 'Runner Runner'
In 2013, Ben Affleck played a romantic lead in 'To the Wonder' and a poker boss in 'Runner Runner', with his performance in the latter being considered a highlight.
2014: Regret over 'Daredevil'
In 2014, Ben Affleck expressed regret about his role in the film 'Daredevil'.
2014: Filming PSA for Paralyzed Veterans of America
In 2014, Ben Affleck filmed public service announcements for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
2014: Starring in 'Gone Girl'
In 2014, Ben Affleck starred in David Fincher's 'Gone Girl' as a husband accused of murder, receiving praise for his performance.
2015: Resurrection of 'Project Greenlight'
In 2015, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's 'Project Greenlight' was resurrected by HBO for one season.
October 2016: Live Reading of 'Good Will Hunting' screenplay
In October 2016, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon made a one-off stage appearance for a live reading of the Good Will Hunting screenplay at New York's Skirball Theater.
2016: Played Batman in DC Extended Universe
From 2016 to 2023, Ben Affleck played the superhero Batman in the DC Extended Universe.
2016: Starred in The Accountant
In 2016, Ben Affleck starred in the thriller "The Accountant".
2017: Release of 'Justice League' and on-set difficulties
In 2017, 'Justice League', in which Ben Affleck returned as Batman, was released. The on-set experience was difficult due to various issues including the death of Zack Snyder's daughter and Affleck's addiction struggles.
2017: Visiting Troops at Ramstein Air Base
In 2017, Ben Affleck visited troops at Germany's Ramstein Air Base as part of a USO-sponsored tour.
2018: Filming of 'The Last Thing He Wanted'
In mid-2018, Ben Affleck filmed The Last Thing He Wanted, which was released in 2020.
2019: Release of 'Triple Frontier' and cameo in 'Jay and Silent Bob Reboot'
In 2019, 'Triple Frontier' was released. Ben Affleck also made a cameo appearance in 'Jay and Silent Bob Reboot'.
2020: Role in 'The Last Thing He Wanted'
In 2020, Ben Affleck played a supporting role in 'The Last Thing He Wanted', which received negative reviews.
2020: Starring in The Way Back
In 2020, Ben Affleck starred as a recovering alcoholic in the sports drama The Way Back, which received widespread praise. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cinemas closed in the second week of the movie's release, and Warner Bros. made it available to view-on-demand earlier than scheduled.
2021: Had supporting roles in The Last Duel and The Tender Bar
In 2021, Ben Affleck had supporting roles in the dramas "The Last Duel" and "The Tender Bar".
2021: Critics' Choice Awards Nomination and Justice League
In 2021, Ben Affleck received a Best Actor nomination at the Critics' Choice Awards for The Way Back. Also in 2021, Snyder's director's cut of Justice League featured a newly filmed scene with Affleck.
2021: Golden Globe nomination for The Tender Bar
In 2021, Ben Affleck received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the movie The Tender Bar.
2022: Starring in Deep Water and Cameo in Clerks III
In 2022, Ben Affleck starred alongside Ana de Armas in Adrian Lyne's thriller Deep Water, which was released on Hulu and received negative reviews. He also made a cameo appearance in Smith's Clerks III.
May 2023: Starring in Hypnotic
In May 2023, Ben Affleck starred as a detective in Robert Rodriguez's action thriller Hypnotic, which was released in theaters.
June 2023: Cameo Appearance as Batman in The Flash
In June 2023, Ben Affleck made a cameo appearance as Batman in the film The Flash.
December 2023: Strategic Partnership with Wild State
In December 2023, Artists Equity, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's production company, entered into a strategic partnership with Chris Hemsworth's Wild State production company on film and television projects.
2023: Starred in and directed Air
In 2023, Ben Affleck starred in and directed the drama "Air".
2023: Directorial Project Air and Artists Equity
In 2023, Ben Affleck's fifth directorial project, Air, premiered at the SXSW Film Festival to critical acclaim and was given a wide theatrical release by Amazon Studios. It marked the first release from Affleck and Damon's independent production company Artists Equity.
Mentioned in this timeline
Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court...
Ellen DeGeneres is an American comedian actress television host writer...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Jennifer Lopez or J Lo is an American singer songwriter...
Ilhan Omar is a U S Representative for Minnesota's th...
Burger King a global hamburger fast food chain was founded...
Trending
17 minutes ago TSMC's Q1 Profit Surges 60%, Beating Estimates Amid Trade Policy Concerns
17 minutes ago Mark Henry threatens to expose AEW incidents, also mentions Fanatics venture loss.
17 minutes ago Alan Cumming and Stephen Colbert team up for 'Billionaires Are Actually Good' song.
17 minutes ago Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer Spotted Laughing Together in Matching Outfits in Los Angeles
1 hour ago Dodgers' Freddie Freeman's risky steal attempt draws manager's ire, sparking team drama.
1 hour ago Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Launch 2025 Tour, St. Vincent Absent in Boston
Popular
Doug Ford is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving...
The Real ID Act of is a US federal law...
Justin Trudeau served as the rd Prime Minister of Canada...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Bernard Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving...
Michael Jordan also known as MJ is a celebrated American...