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 American actor and filmmaker who started his career as a child actor on the PBS series *The Voyage of the Mimi*. He gained recognition through roles in independent films like *Dazed and Confused* and Kevin Smith comedies, such as *Chasing Amy*. Affleck has received numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, two BAFTAs, and three Golden Globes, solidifying his place in the entertainment industry.

Sections (6)

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

1966: Guilty pleasure of a 1966 Chevelle

Ben Affleck mentioned that his guilty pleasure was a "1966 Chevelle".

August 15, 1972: Ben Affleck's Birth

On August 15, 1972, Benjamin Géza Affleck was born. He would later become an American actor and filmmaker.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Setting of "Argo"

In 2012, Ben Affleck directed and starred in "Argo", a film which 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 Ben Affleck befriended in 1998, was born in 1988.

Others born on this day/year

1992: Registered to vote as a Democrat

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

1992: Damon Writes Script for Playwriting Class

In 1992, Matt Damon wrote a 40-page script for a playwriting class at Harvard University, which later became the basis for "Good Will Hunting".

1994: Selling "Good Will Hunting" Screenplay

In 1994, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon sold their screenplay for "Good Will Hunting" to Castle Rock when Affleck was 22 years old.

1998: Founding Pearl Street Films

In 1998, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon set up Pearl Street Films, named after the street that ran between their childhood homes.

1998: Befriended 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, leading to his active involvement in fundraising for A-T research.

Loading Video...

2000: Co-founding LivePlanet

In 2000, Ben Affleck co-founded LivePlanet with Sean Bailey and Chris Moore, aiming to integrate the Internet into mainstream television and film production.

2000: Spoke at Harvard University rally

In 2000, Ben Affleck spoke at a rally at Harvard University in support of an increased living wage for all workers on campus, where his father had worked as a janitor.

2000: Supported Al Gore for president

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

2000: Expressed pro-choice views

In a 2000 interview, Ben Affleck stated his strong belief in a woman's right to choose.

2001: Testified 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: Supported 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: Criticized the Patriot Act

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

2004: Press conference with Ted Kennedy

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

2004: Expressed support for legalizing gay marriage

In 2004, Ben Affleck expressed long-time support for legalizing gay marriage and criticized the suggestion that transgender individuals were not entitled to equal rights.

2004: Expressed support for Second Amendment

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

2004: Involved in John Kerry's presidential campaign

In 2004, Ben Affleck was involved in John Kerry's presidential campaign, speaking at the Democratic National Convention, appearing on political discussion shows, attending fundraising events, and traveling with Kerry during his Believe in America Tour.

2005: Appeared 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: Supported Proposition 87

In 2006, Ben Affleck appeared with then-Senator Barack Obama at a rally in support of California's Proposition 87, which aimed to reduce petroleum consumption and promote alternative energy.

2006: Last Contact with Kevin Smith since Clerks II

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

2007: Traveled in Congo region before founding Eastern Congo Initiative

Between 2007 and early 2010, Ben Affleck traveled in the Congo region, which eventually led to co-founding the Eastern Congo Initiative in 2010 with Whitney Williams.

2007: Expiration of Film Production Deal with Disney

In 2007, Ben Affleck and LivePlanet's film production deal with Disney expired.

2007: Appeared in global warming awareness video

In 2007, Ben Affleck appeared in a global warming awareness video produced by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, while admitting he was not "particularly good at being green".

2007: Filmed PSA for Divided We Fail campaign

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: Supported 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 high school graduation

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

2008: Supported Writers' Strike picketers

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

2008: Expressed concern about Obama conspiracy theories

In 2008, Ben Affleck voiced concern about conspiracy theories claiming Barack Obama was an Arab or Muslim and the acceptance of those ideas as legitimate slurs.

2008: The 2008 financial crisis

In 2010, Ben Affleck starred in "The Company Men" as a sales executive affected by the 2008 financial crisis.

2009: Denounced Israeli invasion of Gaza

In 2009, Ben Affleck reportedly denounced the Israeli invasion of Gaza at a Washington party.

2010: Co-founded 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).

2012: Praised Senator 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: Admitted to owning guns

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

2012: Supported Draw the Line campaign

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

2012: Joe Kindregan appeared as an extra in Argo

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

Loading Video...

2013: Matched donations for 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. Affleck also appeared in the documentary "CinemAbility".

2014: Finding Your Roots Appearance

In 2014, Ben Affleck appeared on the PBS genealogy series Finding Your Roots. During the show, he was informed that one of his ancestors had been a slave owner in Georgia, which made him uncomfortable. Leaked emails from 2015 later revealed that Affleck was uneasy about this segment, and it was ultimately omitted from the final broadcast.

2014: Discussed Islam 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: Regret over Daredevil film

In 2014, Ben Affleck expressed regret about making the film "Daredevil".

Loading Video...

2014: Named '1966 Chevelle' as guilty pleasure

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

2016: Endorsed Rezpect Our Water petition

In 2016, Ben Affleck filmed an endorsement for Rezpect Our Water, an online petition to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

2017: 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" and postponed filming of "Triple Frontier" for health treatment.

Loading Video...

2017: Reflected on Islam discussion on 'Real Time with Bill Maher'

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

2018: Relapsed during pre-production of "The Way Back"

In 2018, Ben Affleck relapsed during the pre-production of "The Way Back" and subsequently went to rehab. The movie was shot shortly after he left rehab, and he was accompanied to set by a sober coach.

Loading Video...

2020: Expressed discomfort with past gun range visits

In 2020, Ben Affleck expressed discomfort with past trips to gun ranges as a young adult, considering subsequent tragedies with young people and guns.