Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ben Affleck
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ben Affleck made an impact.
Ben Affleck is an accomplished American actor and filmmaker, recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards and two BAFTAs. He embarked on his acting journey as a child, featuring in the PBS series "The Voyage of the Mimi." He gained further recognition through roles in independent films like "Dazed and Confused" and collaborations with Kevin Smith in comedies such as "Chasing Amy."
1981: The Dark End of the Street Appearance
In 1981, at the age of seven, Ben Affleck first appeared in an independent film, "The Dark End of the Street", directed by a family friend.
1984: 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: Wanted: A Perfect Man Appearance
In 1986, Ben Affleck appeared in the ABC after school special "Wanted: A Perfect Man".
1987: Hands of a Stranger Appearance
In 1987, Ben Affleck appeared in the television film "Hands of a Stranger".
1988: The Voyage of the Mimi Continued
In 1988, Ben Affleck continued his role in the PBS educational series "The Voyage of the Mimi".
1988: 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: Burger King Commercial
In 1989, Ben Affleck appeared in a Burger King commercial.
1991: Daddy Appearance
In 1991, Ben Affleck played Patrick Duffy's son in the television film "Daddy".
1992: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and School Ties
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: Good Will Hunting Origination
In 1992, Matt Damon wrote a 40-page script for a playwriting class at Harvard University which would later become the screenplay for "Good Will Hunting". He asked Ben Affleck to act out the scenes with him.
1993: Dazed and Confused Appearance
In 1993, Ben Affleck appeared in the independent comedy film "Dazed and Confused".
1993: Against the Grain and Dazed and Confused Roles
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 film "Dazed and Confused".
1994: Body to Die For: The Aaron Henry Story
In 1994, Ben Affleck played a steroid-abusing high school football player in "Body to Die For: The Aaron Henry Story".
1994: Good Will Hunting sale to Castle Rock
In 1994, when Affleck was 22 years old, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon sold the screenplay for "Good Will Hunting" to Castle Rock.
1995: Glory Daze and Mallrats Releases
In 1995, Ben Affleck's first starring film role was in the college drama "Glory Daze", and he also played a bully in Kevin Smith's comedy "Mallrats".
1997: Good Will Hunting Success
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. This marked a significant achievement in their careers.
1997: Chasing Amy Release
In 1997, Ben Affleck appeared in several Kevin Smith comedies, including "Chasing Amy".
1997: Chasing Amy and Going All the Way Appearances
In 1997, Ben Affleck starred in "Chasing Amy" and "Going All the Way". "Chasing Amy" was his breakthrough movie.
1997: 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 to ever win a Best Original Screenplay Oscar, at 25 years old.
1998: Pearl Street Films Founded
In 1998, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon set up Pearl Street Films, named after the street that ran between their childhood homes.
1998: Armageddon Release
In 1998, Ben Affleck established himself as a leading man in studio films, including the disaster film "Armageddon".
1998: Armageddon Release and Leading Man Status
In 1998, the release of "Armageddon" established Ben Affleck as a viable leading man for Hollywood studio films.
1998: Shakespeare in Love and Phantoms Appearances
Later in 1998, Ben Affleck had a supporting role in "Shakespeare in Love" and also appeared as a small-town sheriff in the film "Phantoms".
1998: Befriending Joe Kindregan
While filming Forces of Nature in 1998, Ben Affleck befriended Joe Kindregan, a ten-year-old with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), and his family.
1999: Dogma, Forces of Nature, and 200 Cigarettes Releases
In 1999, Ben Affleck appeared in "Dogma", "Forces of Nature", and "200 Cigarettes".
1999: Wrote foreword for Kevin Smith's Guardian Devil
In 1999, Ben Affleck, a longtime comic book fan, wrote the foreword for Kevin Smith's "Guardian Devil" about his love for the character of Daredevil.
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: Reindeer Games, Boiler Room, Joseph: King of Dreams and Bounce releases
In 2000, Ben Affleck starred in "Reindeer Games", "Boiler Room", "Joseph: King of Dreams" (voice), and "Bounce".
2000: Reindeer Games Release
In 2000, Ben Affleck starred in the action crime thriller "Reindeer Games".
2000: LivePlanet Co-Founded
In 2000, LivePlanet was co-founded by Ben Affleck, Sean Bailey and Chris Moore.
2000: Stating Belief in a Woman's Right to Choose
In a 2000 interview, Ben Affleck stated that he believes "very strongly in a woman's right to choose", expressing his pro-choice stance.
2000: Supporting Al Gore's Presidential Campaign
In the final weeks of the 2000 presidential campaign, Ben Affleck supported Al Gore, attending rallies in California, Pennsylvania, and Florida. However, Affleck was unable to vote due to a registration issue in New York City.
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, advocating for stem-cell research and increased funding for the National Institutes of Health.
2001: Pearl Harbor and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back releases
In 2001, Ben Affleck reunited with director Michael Bay for "Pearl Harbor" and parodied "Good Will Hunting" in Kevin Smith's "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back".
2002: Project Greenlight Nomination and Disney Film Deal
In 2002, "Project Greenlight" was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program, and Affleck and his partners signed a film production deal with Disney.
2002: Press Conference with Chuck Schumer
In 2002, Ben Affleck appeared at a press conference with New York Senator Chuck Schumer in support of a proposed Anti-Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Act.
2002: The Sum of All Fears Release
In 2002, Ben Affleck appeared in the thriller "The Sum of All Fears".
2002: Narrating the Documentary Occupation
In 2002, Ben Affleck narrated the documentary Occupation, which was about a sit-in organized by the Harvard Living Wage Campaign.
2002: The Sum of All Fears and Changing Lanes Releases
In 2002, Ben Affleck portrayed Jack Ryan in "The Sum of All Fears" and starred in the thriller "Changing Lanes".
2003: Mentioned intention to adapt the story of Gone Baby Gone
Ben Affleck first mentioned his intention to adapt the story of "Gone Baby Gone", based on the book by Dennis Lehane, in 2003. The movie was finally released in 2007.
2003: Daredevil, Gigli, and Paycheck releases
In 2003, Ben Affleck starred in "Daredevil" as the titular blind superhero, a role he later regretted. He also appeared in the critically panned romantic comedy "Gigli" alongside Jennifer Lopez and the sci-fi thriller "Paycheck" as a reverse engineer. Critics generally gave negative reviews.
2004: Involvement in John Kerry's Presidential Campaign
Ben Affleck was actively involved in John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. He spoke to many delegations, appeared on political discussion shows, attended fundraising events, took part in a voter registration public service announcement, and traveled with Kerry during the opening weekend of his Believe in America Tour.
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: Supporting Legalizing Gay Marriage
In 2004, Ben Affleck expressed his long-time support for legalizing gay marriage. Also that year, he remarked that it was "outrageous and offensive" to suggest members of the transgender community were not entitled to equal rights.
2004: Starred in Jersey Girl and Surviving Christmas, career break
In 2004, Ben Affleck starred in "Jersey Girl" and "Surviving Christmas", receiving poor critical notices. Negative press coverage affected him, leading him to take a career break. The Los Angeles Times published a piece on the downfall of Affleck's career.
2005: Appearing in PFLAG Advertising Campaign
In 2005, Ben Affleck appeared alongside his gay cousin in a Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) print advertising campaign, showing his support for LGBTQ+ rights.
2006: Hollywoodland Release
After a career downturn, in 2006 Ben Affleck made a comeback by portraying George Reeves in the biopic "Hollywoodland", winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.
2006: Rally in Support of Proposition 87
In 2006, Ben Affleck appeared alongside then-Senator Barack Obama at a rally in support of Proposition 87, which sought to reduce petroleum consumption in favor of alternative energy.
2006: Career comeback with Hollywoodland
In 2006, Ben Affleck had a career comeback with his performance in "Hollywoodland" as George Reeves. He also made a cameo in Clerks II, starred in Man About Town, and had a minor role in Smokin' Aces.
2006: Golden Globe nomination for Hollywoodland
In 2006, Ben Affleck received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in Hollywoodland.
2006: Making of Clerks II
The making of Clerks II occurred in 2006. Ben Affleck had little contact with Kevin Smith after making this movie. Then later in 2019, Affleck made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.
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 that year, Affleck admitted he was not "particularly good at being green".
2007: Filming Public Service Announcement 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.
2007: Gone Baby Gone Directorial Debut
In 2007, Ben Affleck made his directorial debut with "Gone Baby Gone", which he also co-wrote and which 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. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Aaron Stockard, based on the book by Dennis Lehane.
2007: Press Conference in Support of SEIU
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.
2007: Keynote Speaker at Kindregan's Graduation
In 2007, Ben Affleck was the keynote speaker at Joe Kindregan's high school graduation ceremony in Fairfax, Virginia, highlighting their friendship and his support for A-T research.
2007: Disney Film Deal Expiration
In 2007, the film production deal between Affleck and his partners with Disney expired.
2008: Appearance at Denver Food Bank
In 2008, Ben Affleck made an appearance at a Denver food bank to support their initiatives in addressing food insecurity.
2008: Supporting the Writers' Strike
In 2008, Ben Affleck voiced his support for the picketers during the Writers' Strike, advocating for fair treatment and compensation for writers.
2009: Acted in three films: He's Just Not That Into You, State of Play, and Extract
In 2009, Ben Affleck acted in three films: the romantic comedy "He's Just Not That Into You", the political thriller "State of Play", and the comedy film "Extract". His chemistry with Jennifer Aniston was praised in "He's Just Not That Into You".
2009: Filming Public Service Announcements
In 2009, Ben Affleck filmed public service announcements for Paralyzed Veterans of America.
2009: Speaking at Feeding America Rally
In 2009, Ben Affleck spoke at a Feeding America rally in Washington D.C., advocating for increased efforts to fight hunger and food insecurity.
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. The organization offers training and resources to cooperatives of Congolese farmers and aims to raise public awareness and drive policy change in the United States.
2010: Directed and starred in The Town, Pearl Street Films deal
In 2010, Ben Affleck directed and starred in "The Town", adapted from Chuck Hogan's novel. The film was a box office hit. Affleck and Matt Damon's production company, Pearl Street Films, also signed a first-look producing deal at Warner Bros.
2010: The Town Release
In 2010, Ben Affleck directed and starred in the crime drama "The Town", which was a critical and commercial success.
2010: Filming Public Service Announcement for Feeding America
In 2010, Ben Affleck filmed a public service announcement for Feeding America, aiming to raise awareness about hunger and encourage support for the organization.
2010: Starred in The Company Men
In 2010, Ben Affleck starred in "The Company Men" as a sales executive made redundant during the 2008 financial crisis. His performance was considered one of his best.
2011: Launching Feeding America's Small Change Campaign
In 2011, Ben Affleck and Ellen DeGeneres launched Feeding America's Small Change Campaign to support the organization's efforts in addressing food insecurity.
2012: Directed and starred in Argo
In 2012, Ben Affleck directed and starred in "Argo", a film about the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. The film received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture.
2012: Argo Success
In 2012, Ben Affleck directed and starred in the political thriller "Argo", which was a critical and commercial success, winning him the BAFTA Award for Best Director, and the BAFTA and Academy Award for Best Picture.
2012: Praising John McCain's Leadership
In 2012, Ben Affleck praised Senator John McCain's leadership in defending Huma Abedin against anti-Muslim attacks, highlighting the importance of standing against prejudice.
2012: Supporting the Draw the Line Campaign
In 2012, Ben Affleck supported the Draw the Line campaign, describing reproductive rights as fundamental and advocating for women's reproductive health.
2012: Kindregan's Appearance in Argo
In 2012, Joe Kindregan appeared as an extra in the movie Argo, which was directed by Ben Affleck.
2013: Matching Donations to 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 their 15 years of friendship with him and his family.
2013: Starred in To the Wonder and Runner Runner
In 2013, Ben Affleck played a romantic lead in Terrence Malick's experimental drama "To the Wonder". He also starred in the thriller "Runner Runner" as a poker boss.
2014: Described Daredevil as a regrettable film
In 2014, Ben Affleck described the movie "Daredevil", released in 2003, as the only film he regretted making.
2014: Filming Public Service Announcements
In 2014, Ben Affleck filmed public service announcements for Paralyzed Veterans of America.
2014: Starred in Gone Girl
In 2014, Ben Affleck starred in David Fincher's psychological thriller "Gone Girl" as a husband accused of murder. His performance was highly praised.
2014: Gone Girl Release
In 2014, Ben Affleck starred in the psychological thriller "Gone Girl".
2015: Project Greenlight Resurrected
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: Endorsement for Rezpect Our Water
In 2016, Ben Affleck filmed an endorsement for Rezpect Our Water, an online petition to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
2016: Batman and The Accountant Releases
In 2016, Ben Affleck played the superhero Batman in the DC Extended Universe and starred in the thriller "The Accountant".
2017: Alcoholism relapse and stepping down from The Batman
In 2017, amidst an alcoholism relapse, Ben Affleck did not work. He stepped down as director, writer, and star of "The Batman", citing a lack of passion for the story.
2017: Justice League release
In 2017, the superhero film "Justice League", in which Ben Affleck returned as Batman, was released. However, Affleck later described it as a "difficult" on-set experience due to various issues.
2018: Filming of The Last Thing He Wanted
In mid-2018, the movie "The Last Thing He Wanted", in which Ben Affleck played a supporting role, was filmed. It was released in 2020 and received negative reviews.
2019: Release of Triple Frontier and cameo in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot
In 2019, "Triple Frontier" was released after filming was postponed to accommodate Ben Affleck's treatment for health issues. Affleck also made a cameo in "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot".
2020: Starred in The Last Thing He Wanted
In 2020, Ben Affleck played a supporting role in Dee Rees's political thriller "The Last Thing He Wanted". The Netflix movie 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. The movie's themes resonated with Affleck, who had relapsed during pre-production in 2018. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cinemas closed, and Warner Bros. made the movie available on demand earlier than scheduled. Affleck received a Best Actor nomination at the 2021 Critics' Choice Awards for his performance.
2020: The Way Back Release
In 2020, Ben Affleck starred in the sports drama "The Way Back".
2021: The Last Duel and The Tender Bar Releases
In 2021, Ben Affleck had supporting roles in the dramas "The Last Duel" and "The Tender Bar".
2021: Supporting Roles in The Last Duel and The Tender Bar
In 2021, Ben Affleck had supporting roles in two movies: The Last Duel, where he played Peter II, Count of Alençon, and co-wrote the screenplay, and The Tender Bar, where he played a substitute father figure. For The Tender Bar, Affleck was nominated for the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor.
2021: Best Actor Nomination and Justice League Release
In 2021, Ben Affleck received a Best Actor nomination at the Critics' Choice Awards for his role in The Way Back. Also in 2021, Zack 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 Tender Bar.
2022: Starring in Deep Water
In 2022, Ben Affleck starred alongside Ana de Armas in the thriller Deep Water, an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel, released on Hulu. Affleck also made a cameo appearance in Clerks III that year.
2023: Air Release
In 2023, Ben Affleck had supporting roles in the drama "Air", which he also directed.
2023: Signing Artists4Ceasefire Open Letter
In 2023, Ben Affleck signed the Artists4Ceasefire open letter calling for a ceasefire during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
2023: Premiere of Air and Other Roles
In 2023, Ben Affleck's fifth directorial project, Air, premiered, starring Matt Damon and Viola Davis, with Affleck playing Phil Knight. It marked the first release from Artists Equity. Also in 2023, Affleck starred in Hypnotic and made a cameo appearance as Batman in The Flash.
2025: Starring in The Accountant 2
In 2025, Ben Affleck is slated to star in the action thriller, The Accountant 2. Additionally, he has two Netflix films in post-production: Animals and The Rip.
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