Ben Affleck

 
 
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  • Maria at the DNC - ben affleck and i sit down for access at an event benefitting the paralyzed veterans america
  • Actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are seen at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008
  • Ben Affleck at the America’s Second Harvest Send Hunger Packing event in Denver
  • Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso host a fundraiser for Obama at SET
  • Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner look on as Matt Damon gives a speech at the fundraiser
  • ben affleck
  • ben affleck
  • Hoping the Red Sox bubble won't burst as he attends a game at Fenway
  • Ben Affleck
  • Ben Affleck

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  • Access Hollywood

    Maria at the DNC - ben affleck and i sit down for access at an event benefitting the paralyzed veterans america
  • AP

    Actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are seen at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008
  • AP

    Ben Affleck at the America’s Second Harvest Send Hunger Packing event in Denver
  • Red Eye Productions, Seth Browarnik

    Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso host a fundraiser for Obama at SET

  • Red Eye Productions, Seth Browarnik

    Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner look on as Matt Damon gives a speech at the fundraiser
  • Access Hollywood

    ben affleck
  • Access Hollywood

    ben affleck
  • AP

    Hoping the Red Sox bubble won't burst as he attends a game at Fenway
  • AP

    Ben Affleck
  • Access Hollywood

    Ben Affleck
 
 

overview

Ups and downs would be an apt way to describe Ben Affleck’s professional career. He’s been acting since he was a pre-teen, often with his best childhood friend, Matt Damon. It was clearly a down when he was living with multiple roommates early in his career, trying to break into acting and co-writing the screenplay for “Good Will Hunting.” He had so much talent and drive and nobody cared.

Then he landed a few roles in a couple of low-budget, but well-received, films including the 1992 boy du jour ensemble, “School Ties.” Then the big time came calling when he and buddy Matt sold their “Hunting” screenplay and managed to get the studio to agree to let them star as well. Later, Ben shared the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay with Damon, launching both of the best friends’ meteoric rises to fame.

Ben went on to star in a number of well-grossing movies in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, but then hit a string of flops which brought on intensely negative media attention which affected both his professional and personal lives. The frenzy hit a crescendo when the scrutiny of his relationship with Jennifer Lopez outshined any of either of their work. But he’s back up again with a recent award-winning performance in “Hollywoodland” and a critically acclaimed directorial debut for “Gone, Baby, Gone,” starring his younger brother Casey Affleck.

In 2005 Ben married Jennifer Garner and welcomed daughter Violet in December 2005 and Seraphina in January 2009.

  • Name: Ben Affleck
  • Birthdate: August 15, 1972
  • Birthplace: Berkeley, California

fun facts

  • Ben dropped out of the University of Vermont after one semester.

  • Both Ben and former paramour Jennifer Lopez won Razzies for their work in “Gigli.”

  • Ben co-wrote the screenplay for “Good Will Hunting” with Matt Damon, which they originally sold for $600,000.

  • Ben dated Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez and later married Jennifer Garner.