Early Life and Education of Ben Affleck: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Ben Affleck. A timeline of key moments.

Ben Affleck is a highly accomplished American actor and filmmaker, recognized with multiple prestigious awards including two Academy Awards, two BAFTAs, and three Golden Globes. He started his acting career early with roles in 'The Voyage of the Mimi' and later gained recognition in independent films like 'Dazed and Confused' and Kevin Smith comedies such as 'Chasing Amy'. He continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

August 15, 1972: Ben Affleck's Birth

On August 15, 1972, Benjamin Géza Affleck was born. He is an American actor and filmmaker who has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Iran Hostage Crisis

The movie Argo, directed and starring Ben Affleck in 2012, tells the story of the CIA plan to save six U.S. diplomats during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.

1988: Birth of Joe Kindregan

Joe Kindregan, who would later befriend Ben Affleck, was born in 1988.

Others born on this day/year

1992: Registering to vote as a Democrat

In 1992, Ben Affleck registered to vote as a Democrat.

1998: Befriending Joe Kindregan

While filming "Forces of Nature" in 1998, Ben Affleck befriended ten-year-old Joe Kindregan, who had the rare disease ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T).

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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; his father worked as a janitor at the university.

2000: Supporting Al Gore's presidential campaign and not being able to vote

In 2000, Ben Affleck supported Al Gore in the final weeks of the presidential campaign, attending rallies in California, Pennsylvania, and Florida. However, Affleck was unable to vote due to a registration issue in New York City.

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".

2001: Testifying before Congress with Joe Kindregan

In 2001, Ben Affleck and Joe Kindregan testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education, asking senators to support stem-cell research and to double the budget of the National Institutes of Health.

2002: Supporting Anti-Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Act

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: Narrating Occupation documentary

In 2002, Ben Affleck narrated a documentary, "Occupation", about a sit-in organized by the Harvard Living Wage Campaign.

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2003: Criticizing the Patriot Act

In 2003, Ben Affleck criticized the "questionable and aggressive" use of the Patriot Act and the resulting "encroachments on civil liberties".

2003: Increased Media Attention

In 2003, Ben Affleck was the subject of increased media attention due to his relationship with Jennifer Lopez. By the end of the year, he was the "world's most over-exposed actor".

2003: Visiting Marines in the Persian Gulf

In 2003, as part of USO-sponsored tours, Ben Affleck visited marines stationed in the Persian Gulf.

2004: Press conference with Ted Kennedy on Minimum Wage

In 2004, Ben Affleck and Senator Ted Kennedy held a press conference on Capitol Hill, pushing for an increase in the minimum wage.

2004: Expressing support for the Second Amendment

In 2004, Ben Affleck expressed support for the Second Amendment.

2004: Supporting Gay Marriage

In 2004, Ben Affleck was a longtime supporter of legalizing gay marriage, saying he hoped to look back on the marriage debate "with some degree of embarrassment for how antiquated it was". 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: Involvement in John Kerry's presidential campaign

In 2004, Ben Affleck was involved in the presidential campaign of John Kerry, speaking to delegations, appearing on political discussion shows, attending fundraising events, and traveling with Kerry during his Believe in America Tour.

2005: Appearing in PFLAG ad campaign

In 2005, Ben Affleck appeared alongside his gay cousin in a Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) print advertising campaign.

2006: Supporting Proposition 87 at rally

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: Little contact with Kevin Smith since the making of Clerks II

In 2019, Ben Affleck made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, having had little contact with Kevin Smith since the making of Clerks II in 2006.

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2007: Travels to the Congo region

Between 2007 and early 2010, Ben Affleck traveled in the Congo region.

2007: Appearing in global warming awareness video and admitting he was not "particularly good at being green"

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 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.

2007: Appearance at Greater Boston Food Bank

In 2007, Ben Affleck made an appearance at the Greater Boston Food Bank.

2007: Supporting SEIU's 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.

2007: Keynote speaker at Joe Kindregan's graduation

In 2007, Ben Affleck was the keynote speaker at Joe Kindregan's high school graduation ceremony in Fairfax, Virginia.

2008: Supporting Writers' Strike

During the Writers' Strike in 2008, Ben Affleck voiced support for the picketers.

2008: Expressing concern about Obama conspiracy theories

In 2008, Ben Affleck expressed concern about conspiracy theories claiming Barack Obama was an Arab or a Muslim.

2008: Listed Gospel of Matthew as influential

In 2008, Ben Affleck listed the Gospel of Matthew as one of the books that made a difference in his life.

2008: Appearance at Denver food bank

In 2008, Ben Affleck made an appearance at a Denver food bank.

2008: 2008 financial crisis

In 2010, Ben Affleck starred in The Company Men as a sales executive made redundant during the 2008 financial crisis.

2009: Filming PSA for Paralyzed Veterans of America

In 2009, Ben Affleck filmed a public service announcement 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.

2009: Denouncing Israeli invasion of Gaza

In 2009, a reporter for The Washington Post overheard Ben Affleck denouncing the Israeli invasion of Gaza at a Washington party.

2010: Filming PSA for Feeding America

In 2010, Ben Affleck filmed a public service announcement for the charity, Feeding America.

2010: Co-founding Eastern Congo Initiative

In 2010, after traveling in the region between 2007 and early 2010, Ben Affleck and Whitney Williams co-founded the nonprofit organization Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI).

2011: Launching Feeding America's Small Change Campaign and co-writing an article

In 2011, Ben Affleck and Ellen DeGeneres launched Feeding America's Small Change Campaign. Also that year, he and Howard Graham Buffett co-wrote an article for The Huffington Post, highlighting food insecurity issues.

2012: Praising John McCain's defense of Huma Abedin

In 2012, Ben Affleck praised Senator John McCain's leadership in defending Huma Abedin against anti-Muslim attacks.

2012: Stating gun ownership

In 2012, Ben Affleck stated that he owned several guns, both for skeet shooting and for the protection of his family.

2012: Supporting Draw the Line campaign

In 2012, Ben Affleck supported the Draw the Line campaign, describing reproductive rights as "fundamental".

2012: Kindregan appears in Argo

In 2012, Joe Kindregan appeared as an extra in the movie "Argo".

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2013: Matching Donations for A-T Children's Project

In 2013, in celebration of Joe Kindregan's 25th birthday and "15 years of friendship with Joe and his family," Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner matched donations made to the A-T Children's Project. Affleck also appeared in "CinemAbility", a documentary film which explores Hollywood's portrayals of people with disabilities.

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2014: Appeared on Finding Your Roots

In 2014, Ben Affleck appeared on the PBS genealogy series Finding Your Roots and learned about an ancestor who had been a slave owner.

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2014: Discussing Islam on Real Time with Bill Maher

In 2014, Ben Affleck engaged in a discussion about the relationship between liberal principles and Islam during an appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher".

2014: Filming another PSA for Paralyzed Veterans of America

In 2014, Ben Affleck filmed another public service announcement for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

2014: Naming 1966 Chevelle as guilty pleasure

In 2014, Ben Affleck named "a 1966 Chevelle" as his guilty pleasure.

2015: Regularly Attending Methodist Church Services

In 2015, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, and their children were regularly photographed at Methodist church services in Los Angeles.

2015: Death of Joe Kindregan

Joe Kindregan, who had the rare disease ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) and befriended Ben Affleck in 1998, died in 2015.

2016: Filming 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.

2017: Visiting troops at Ramstein Air Base

In 2017, Ben Affleck visited troops at Germany's Ramstein Air Base as part of USO-sponsored tours.

2017: Reflecting on viral moment from Real Time with Bill Maher

In a 2017 Guardian interview, Ben Affleck reflected on the viral moment from his 2014 appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher", stating his belief against stereotyping based on race or religion.

2018: Relapse during The Way Back pre-production

In 2018, Ben Affleck relapsed during the pre-production of "The Way Back", a movie where he played a recovering alcoholic. He was in rehab just before shooting, and his salary was put in escrow with a sober coach accompanying him on set.

2019: Affleck supports Rose McGowan

In a 2019 interview, Ben Affleck said he believes and supports Rose McGowan and admires her tenacity regarding her allegations against Harvey Weinstein.

2020: Recalling discomfort with gun ranges

In 2020, Ben Affleck said trips to gun ranges as a young adult made him "uncomfortable to remember ... given the subsequent tragedies with young people and guns."

2020: McGowan Clarifies Comments on Affleck's involvement

In 2020, Rose McGowan clarified her comments, stating she never told Ben Affleck that she "was just raped," emphasizing the broader issue of awareness and complicity.