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 celebrated American actor and filmmaker, recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards and Golden Globes. His career began in his childhood, featuring in 'The Voyage of the Mimi'. He gained prominence through roles in independent films like 'Dazed and Confused' and Kevin Smith comedies like 'Chasing Amy', marking the beginning of a successful career in Hollywood.

Sections (6)

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

August 15, 1972: Birth of Ben Affleck

On August 15, 1972, Benjamin Géza Affleck was born, who later became an American actor and filmmaker.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Iran hostage crisis

The movie 'Argo' released in 2012, tells the story of the CIA plan to save six U.S. diplomats during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.

1992: Registering as a Democrat

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

1992: Damon Wrote 40-page script for Harvard

In 1992, Matt Damon wrote a 40-page script for a playwriting class at Harvard University which would eventually become Good Will Hunting.

1994: Good Will Hunting sold to Castle Rock

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

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, later becoming actively involved in fundraising for 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, where his father once worked as a janitor.

2000: Supporting Al Gore and Voting Issue

In 2000, Ben Affleck supported Al Gore in the final weeks of the presidential campaign. However, he 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", expressing his pro-choice stance.

2001: Testifying Before House 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: 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: Visiting Marines in the Persian Gulf

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

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: Press Conference with Ted Kennedy for 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: Supporting Legalizing Gay Marriage

In 2004, Ben Affleck was a longtime supporter of legalizing gay marriage, saying that he hoped to look back on the marriage debate "with some degree of embarrassment for how antiquated it was". 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 actively involved in John Kerry's presidential campaign, speaking at events, appearing on political shows, and traveling with Kerry during his '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 to show his support for the LGBTQ+ community.

2006: Supporting 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: Appearing 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. He also admitted he was not "particularly good at being green."

2007: Filming 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: Appearance at Greater Boston Food Bank

In 2007, Ben Affleck made an appearance at the Greater Boston Food Bank as part of his work with Feeding America.

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 Graduation

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

2008: Expressing Concern About Obama 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, advocating for fair treatment of writers.

2008: Lists 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 as part of his work with Feeding America.

2008: The financial crisis

The 2010 movie, 'The Company Men', is based on the 2008 financial crisis.

2009: Speaking at Feeding America Rally

In 2009, Ben Affleck spoke at a Feeding America rally in Washington D.C. to raise awareness about food insecurity.

2009: Denouncing Israeli Invasion of Gaza

In 2009, a reporter overheard Ben Affleck denouncing 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.

2009: Discovered to be 11th Cousin of 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: Filming PSA for Feeding America

In 2010, Ben Affleck filmed a public service announcement for the charity, Feeding America, to support their efforts to combat hunger.

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), which acts as a grant maker for Congolese-led, community-based charities.

2011: Launching Feeding America's Small Change Campaign

In 2011, Ben Affleck and Ellen DeGeneres launched Feeding America's Small Change Campaign, and he co-wrote an article for The Huffington Post about food insecurity.

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: Supporting Draw the Line Campaign

In 2012, Ben Affleck supported the Draw the Line campaign, emphasizing that reproductive rights are "fundamental".

2012: Stating Support for Second Amendment

In 2012, Ben Affleck voiced his support for the Second Amendment and mentioned owning several guns for skeet shooting and family protection.

2012: Kindregan Appears as an Extra in Argo

In 2012, Joe Kindregan appeared as an extra in Ben Affleck's movie 'Argo'.

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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 Joe and his family." Affleck also appeared in CinemAbility (2013), a documentary film which explores Hollywood's portrayals of people with disabilities.

2014: Appears 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. He expressed discomfort with this revelation.

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2014: Discussion About Liberal Principles and Islam

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.

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2014: Naming 1966 Chevelle as Guilty Pleasure

In 2014, Ben Affleck named "a 1966 Chevelle" as his guilty pleasure, highlighting a contradiction in his environmental advocacy.

2015: Regularly Photographed at Methodist Church Services

From 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 ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) and whom Ben Affleck befriended in 1998, passed away 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

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

2017: Stepped down from 'The Batman', Relapse

In 2017, Amidst an alcoholism relapse, Ben Affleck did not work. He stepped down as director, writer, and star of 'The Batman'.

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2017: Stating Belief Against Stereotyping Based on Race or Religion

In a 2017 Guardian interview, Ben Affleck said: "I strongly believe that no one should be stereotyped on the basis of their race or religion. It's one of the most fundamental tenets of liberal thought."

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 then shot in the days after he left rehab. Affleck agreed to put his salary in escrow and was accompanied to set by a sober coach.

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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."