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 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.

Sections (6)

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

August 15, 1972: Benjamin Géza Affleck Born

On August 15, 1972, Benjamin Géza Affleck was born. He is an American actor and filmmaker who has won multiple awards.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Iran Hostage Crisis

The 1979 Iran hostage crisis was the inspiration behind the movie 'Argo' that Ben Affleck directed in 2012.

1988: Birth of Joe Kindregan

In 1988, Joe Kindregan, who suffered from ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), was born. Ben Affleck later befriended him and his family.

Others born on this day/year

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: 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: Supporting Al Gore

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

2000: Stating Belief in 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 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.

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.

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: 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: 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 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 that year, he deemed it outrageous and offensive to deny equal rights to transgender individuals.

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: 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.

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: Last contact with Kevin Smith

In 2006, Ben Affleck last had contact with Kevin Smith when making 'Clerks II', before his cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot in 2019.

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2007: Travels in the Congo Region

Between 2007 and early 2010, Ben Affleck traveled in the Congo region, leading to the co-founding of 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, and criticized the Bush tax cuts.

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.

2007: Keynote Speaker at Joe Kindregan's High School Graduation

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

2007: Financial crisis

The financial crisis of 2007-2008 lead to Ben Affleck starring in the movie 'The company men' in 2010.

2008: Expressing Concern About Conspiracy Theories

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Ben Affleck expressed concern about conspiracy theories claiming Barack Obama was an Arab or a Muslim.

2008: Supporting Writers' Strike

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

2008: Lists 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: Financial crisis

The financial crisis of 2007-2008 lead to Ben Affleck starring in the movie 'The company men' in 2010.

2009: Denouncing Israeli Invasion of Gaza

In 2009, Ben Affleck denounced the Israeli invasion of Gaza at a Washington party, expressing views closer to those of the Israeli Labor Party than Likud.

2009: Discovered to be related to Barack Obama

In 2009, the New England Historic Genealogical Society discovered that Ben Affleck is an 11th cousin of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States.

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.

2012: Praising John McCain's Leadership

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

2012: Supporting Second Amendment

In 2012, Ben Affleck stated that he supports the Second Amendment and owns several guns for skeet shooting and family protection.

2012: Supporting Draw the Line Campaign

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

2014: Appears 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. The segment was later removed from the final broadcast and online archive after Affleck expressed discomfort.

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2014: Discussion 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: "1966 Chevelle" as Guilty Pleasure

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

2015: Regular church attendance begins

In 2015, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, and their children began regularly attending United Methodist Church services in Los Angeles.

2015: Sony email hacking scandal reveals Affleck's discomfort with Finding Your Roots segment

In 2015, leaked emails from the Sony email hacking scandal revealed that Ben Affleck felt uncomfortable about the segment on Finding Your Roots, which discussed his ancestor being a slave owner. This led to the segment's removal from the final broadcast and online archive.

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: Hiatus due to alcoholism relapse

In 2017, Ben Affleck did not work due to an alcoholism relapse. He also stepped down from 'The Batman' and postponed filming of 'Triple Frontier'.

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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.

2017: Interview with The Guardian

In a 2017 Guardian interview, Ben Affleck stated his strong belief that no one should be stereotyped on the basis of their race or religion.

2018: Relapse During Pre-Production of The Way Back

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

2020: Remembering Gun Range Trips

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: Regular church attendance ends

In 2020, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, and their children stop regularly attending United Methodist Church services in Los Angeles, after having attended regularly since 2015.