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 prominent American actor and filmmaker recognized with numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards. He initiated his career early, featuring in 'The Voyage of the Mimi' during his childhood. Subsequently, he gained recognition through roles in independent films such as 'Dazed and Confused' and collaborations with Kevin Smith, most notably in 'Chasing Amy.' Affleck's career encompasses both acting and directing, establishing him as a significant figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (6)

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

1966: Mention of 1966 Chevelle

In 2014, Ben Affleck named the "1966 Chevelle" as his guilty pleasure. The Chevelle was originally introduced in 1964 as part of the Chevrolet's mid-size platform.

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.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Setting of the Iran Hostage Crisis in Argo

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

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1988: Birth of Joe Kindregan

In 1988, Joe Kindregan, who would later befriend Ben Affleck, was born. Kindregan suffered from the rare disease ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T).

1992: Registering as a Democrat

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

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.

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2000: Rally in Support of Living Wage

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: Pro-Choice Stance

In a 2000 interview, Ben Affleck stated that he believes "very strongly in a woman's right to choose".

2000: Support for Al Gore and Voting Issue

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, asking senators to support stem-cell research and to double the budget of the National Institutes of Health.

2002: Support for 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.

2003: Criticism of Patriot Act

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

2003: Visiting Marines in the Persian Gulf

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

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: Support for the Second Amendment

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

2004: Support for Legalizing Gay Marriage

In 2004, Ben Affleck voiced his support for legalizing gay marriage, expressing hope that the marriage debate would be viewed as "antiquated" in the future. Also in 2004, 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 John Kerry's presidential campaign. He spoke to many delegations, appeared on political discussion shows, and attended fundraising events during the Democratic National Convention in Boston. He also traveled with Kerry during the opening weekend of his Believe in America Tour, making speeches at rallies.

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: 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.

2007: Travels in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Between 2007 and early 2010, Ben Affleck traveled in the region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which inspired him to later co-found the Eastern Congo Initiative.

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.

2007: Appearance at Greater Boston Food Bank

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

2007: Support for 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 Kindregan's Graduation

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

2008: Concerns 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 book

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: Support for Writers' Strike

In 2008, Ben Affleck voiced support for the picketers during the Writers' Strike.

2008: Financial Crisis in The Company Men

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

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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.

2009: Criticizing Israeli Invasion of Gaza

In 2009, Ben Affleck was overheard criticizing the Israeli invasion of Gaza at a Washington party. He also remarked that his views were closer to those of the Israeli Labor Party than Likud in a New York Times interview.

2010: Co-founding Eastern Congo Initiative

In 2010, Ben Affleck and Whitney Williams co-founded the nonprofit organization Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI). ECI acts as a grant maker for Congolese-led, community-based charities, offering training and resources to cooperatives of Congolese farmers.

2010: Filming PSA for Feeding America

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

2011: Launching Feeding America's Small Change Campaign

In 2011, Ben Affleck and Ellen DeGeneres launched Feeding America's Small Change Campaign.

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: Gun Ownership

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

2012: Supporting the Draw the Line Campaign

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

2012: Kindregan as Extra in Argo

In 2012, Joe Kindregan appeared as an extra in Argo, which was directed by Ben Affleck.

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2013: Matching Donations to 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.

2014: Appeared on Finding Your Roots

In 2014, Ben Affleck appeared on the PBS genealogy series Finding Your Roots, where he learned about an ancestor who was a slave owner.

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2014: Appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher

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

2014: Filming PSA for Paralyzed Veterans of America

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

2014: Guilty Pleasure: 1966 Chevelle

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

2015: Regularly attended Methodist church services

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

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.

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: Stepping Down from The Batman and Alcoholism Relapse

In 2017, amidst an alcoholism relapse, Ben Affleck did not work. He stepped down as director, writer, and star of The Batman. Filming of Triple Frontier was postponed to accommodate his treatment for "health issues".

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2017: Reflection on Viral Moment

In a 2017 Guardian interview, Ben Affleck reflected on the viral moment from his appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, stating, "I strongly believe that no one should be stereotyped on the basis of their race or religion."

2018: Relapse During The Way Back Pre-Production

In 2018, Ben Affleck relapsed during the pre-production of The Way Back. The movie was shot in the days after he left rehab, and he agreed to put his salary in escrow and was accompanied to set by a sober coach.

2019: Affleck expresses support for Rose McGowan

In a 2019 interview, Ben Affleck stated his belief and support for Rose McGowan and admired her tenacity.

2020: Reflection on 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 about Affleck's involvement

In 2020, Rose McGowan clarified that she never directly told Ben Affleck about being raped, but rather aimed to illustrate the widespread knowledge and involvement in the situation.