Benjamin Geza Affleck was born on August 15, 1972 in Berkeley, California, USA but raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He was born to parents Tim Affleck, a social worker who is now divorced from Ben's mother Chris Affleck, a school teacher. Ben also has a younger brother, actor Casey Affleck, who was born in 1975. Ben wanted to be an actor ever since he could remember and his first acting experience was for a Burger King commercial, when he was *very* young. At 8 years old Ben was given his first steady acting job on the PBS mini-series The Voyage of the Mimi. It was also at that age when Ben met his lifelong friend and fellow actor, Matt Damon. They played little league together and took drama classes together. Ben's teen years consisted of mainly TV movies and small television appearances including Hands of a Stranger and The Second Voyage of the Mimi. He made his big introduction into feature films in 1993 when he was cast in Dazed and Confused. After that he did mostly independent films like Kevin Smith's Mallrats and Chasing Amy which were great for Ben's career, receiving renowned appreciation for his works at the Sundance film festival. But the success he was having in independent films didn't last much longer and things got a little shaky for Ben. He was living in an apartment with his brother Casey and friend Matt, getting tired of being turned down for the big roles in films and being given the forgettable supporting ones. Since Matt was having the same trouble they decided to write their own script, where they could call all the shots. So, after finishing the script for Good Will Hunting they gave it to their agent Patrick Whitesell who showed it to a few Hollywood studios, finally being accepted by Castlerock. It was great news for the two but Castlerock wasn't willing to give Ben and Matt the control over the project they were hoping for. It was friend Kevin Smith who took it to the head of Miramax who bought the script giving Ben and Matt the control they wanted and in December of 1997 Good Will Hunting was released, making the two unknown actors famous. The film was nominated for 9 Academy Awards and won two, including Best Original Screenplay for Ben and Matt. The film marked Ben's breakthrough role, in which he was given for the first time the chance to choose roles instead of having to go through grueling auditions constantly. He chose such roles in the blockbusters _Armageddon (1998)_ , Shakespeare in Love and Pearl Harbor. With these hits to his credit, Hollywood can't seem to get enough of Ben, with directors wanting him in their movies and companies wanting his screenplays. His inspirational story of hard work and amazing climb to the top has brought him what he deserves and Ben Affleck has shown no sign of slowing down.


Hollywoodland (2006): $2,800,000
Jersey Girl (2004): $10,000,000
Paycheck (2003): $15,000,000
Gigli (2003): $12,500,000
Daredevil (2003): $11,500,000 + gross participations
The Sum of All Fears (2002): $10,000,000
Changing Lanes (2002): $10,000,000
Pearl Harbor (2001): $250,000
Bounce (2000): $12,500,000
Reindeer Games (2000): $6,000,000
Good Will Hunting (1997): $300,000 (split $600,000 script sale with Matt Damon)
Chasing Amy (1997): $7,000
School Ties (1992): $30,000
Daddy (1991): $20,000
Field of Dreams (1989): $30

Fined $135 for driving in Massachusetts with a suspended license. [1999] Older brother of actor Casey Affleck. Owns vintage Ms. Pac-Man and Millipede video-arcade games. When he was little, he asked his mom for a dog, and she tested him by making him walk an imaginary dog for a week. Ben only lasted for 5 days and didn't get the dog. Dropped out of the University of Vermont after 1 semester. He and Matt Damon sold their Good Will Hunting (1997) script for $600,000. Owns 5 motorcycles. Chosen as one of People Magazine's Most Beautiful People in the World [1999] Was an extra with friend Matt Damon in Field of Dreams (1989). Ranked #77 in Premiere's 2002 annual Power 100 List. Confirms engagement to Jennifer Lopez, after giving her a reported $3.5 million ring. (Nov. 2002) Voluntarily entered Promises Rehabilitation Center in Malibu, California for alcohol abuse. [31 July 2001] He was inspired to contribute to the Neil Bogart Memorial Fund, which supports cancer research at Los Angeles Children's Hospital, after meeting Molly Hanna, who died of cancer in 2002. She was a student in his mother's fifth-grade class. Ranked #41 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Has a Boston Celtics logo painted on the basketball court at his house. Speaks Spanish and French. Jennifer Lopez wrote the song "Dear Ben" about him and how much she loved him. He learned to speak Arabic. Is a first-time uncle to younger brother Casey's son, Indiana August, who was born on May 31, 2004 in Amsterdam, to Casey and his fiancé, actress Summer Phoenix. In 2001, was filming four movies simultaneously: Pearl Harbor (2001), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), Changing Lanes (2002), and The Sum of All Fears (2002). Is a staunch Democrat and has supported Senator John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. As of 2005, has a total of seven Razzie Nominations (including three for Worst Actor) and two "wins". Had four different stunt men for Daredevil (2003), each one with a different specialty (fighting, wire works, etc.). He tried to do as much of his own stunts as he possibly could, feeling that it would add more credibility to the film. His wife, Jennifer Garner, gave birth to daughter, Violet Anne, on December 1, 2005, and to Seraphina Rose Elizabeth on January 6, 2009 both born in Los Angeles, California. Quit smoking when Violet was born. At one point after Good Will Hunting (1997) was released, Affleck was writing a script with Matt Damon and his brother Casey Affleck. The plot concerned teenagers in a half way house. It is not clear if this script will ever be completed. Is an avid fan of Robert Englund. Winner of the 2006 Venice Film Festival's Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his role in "Hollywoodland". Has a fear of flying. He and his wife, Jennifer Garner, both had movies open on January 26 2007: his was Smokin' Aces (2006) and hers was Catch and Release (2006/II). 2002: Voted Most Eligible Bachelor by People Magazine. Since late 2007 he has made four separate trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo to bring attention to the plight of that country. [November 2008] Was considered for the role of Billy Loomis in Scream (1996/I). Majored in Middle Eastern affairs in college. As a teenager, he lived in México where he learned to speak Spanish.