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 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."

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 would become an American actor and filmmaker with numerous accolades.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Iran Hostage Crisis

In 1979, the Iran hostage crisis happened and was used as a plot for the movie "Argo" which was released in 2012.

1992: Registering to Vote as a Democrat

In 1992, Ben Affleck registered to vote as a Democrat, marking his formal affiliation with the Democratic Party.

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.

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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: 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.

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.

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".

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: Expressing Support for the Second Amendment

In 2004, Ben Affleck expressed support for the Second Amendment, indicating his belief in the right to bear arms.

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: 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: 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: Appearance at Greater Boston Food Bank

In 2007, Ben Affleck made an appearance at the Greater Boston Food Bank to support their efforts to combat hunger.

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.

2008: Expressing Concern About Obama Conspiracy Theories

In 2008, Ben Affleck expressed concern about conspiracy theories claiming that Barack Obama was an Arab or a Muslim, criticizing the acceptance of these claims as slurs.

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.

2008: Financial crisis

The 2008 financial crisis served as the backdrop for the movie "The Company Men" released in 2010, in which Ben Affleck starred.

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.

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. Steven Clemons noted that Affleck listened to alternative viewpoints and presented reasoned arguments.

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: 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.

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: 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: Owning Guns for Skeet Shooting and Protection

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 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.

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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.

2014: Finding Your Roots appearance

In 2014, Ben Affleck appeared on the PBS genealogy series Finding Your Roots and learned that an ancestor had been a slave owner in Georgia, which made him uncomfortable.

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.

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2014: Guilty Pleasure Confession

In 2014, Ben Affleck named "a 1966 Chevelle" as his guilty pleasure, during a conversation about environmental issues.

2015: Project Greenlight Resurrected

In 2015, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Project Greenlight was resurrected by HBO for one season.

2015: Death of Joe Kindregan

Joe Kindregan, who had Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T), a friend of Ben Affleck, died in 2015.

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: 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.

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2017: Reflecting on Viral Moment on Real Time

In a 2017 Guardian interview, Ben Affleck reflected on the viral moment from his 2014 appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, stating that no one should be stereotyped based on race or religion.

2018: Relapse During Pre-Production of The Way Back

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

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2019: Affleck's support for McGowan

In 2019, Ben Affleck expressed his support for Rose McGowan and her tenacity.

2020: Expressing Discomfort About 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 her comments

In 2020, Rose McGowan clarified her previous comments regarding Ben Affleck's involvement in the Harvey Weinstein situation, stating that it was more about illustrating the culture of everyone knowing and being part of it.