Ben Affleck
The older brother of Casey Affleck, who began his career as a child actor and later starred in Good Will Hunting and the Ocean's series.
Ben Affleck is an American actor, the older brother of Casey Affleck. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in the PBS television film Lemon Sky (1988). He later appeared in three Gus Van Sant films: To Die For (1995), Good Will Hunting (1997), and Gerry (2002). He also appeared in Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's film series (2001–2007). His first leading role was in Steve Buscemi's independent comedy-drama Lonesome Jim (2006).
- Actor
- Ben Affleck
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ben Affleck grew up in a politically active, liberal household in Central Square, Cambridge, with his younger brother Casey. Their mother was a Radcliffe College- and Harvard-educated elementary school teacher. After their parents divorced when Casey was nine, Ben and Casey lived with their mother and visited their father weekly. Ben and Casey spent 'all of our time together, pretty much. Obviously at school we were in different grades, but we had the same friends.' The brothers sometimes appeared in local weather commercials and as film extras because of their mother's friendship with a local casting director. At age eighteen, Casey moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career and lived with his brother Ben and their childhood friend Matt Damon.
In Their Own Story
Ben Affleck co-wrote Good Will Hunting (1997) with his childhood friend Matt Damon. The film was directed by Gus Van Sant, and Casey Affleck had a supporting role as one of four friends living in South Boston – a role written specifically for him. Casey improvised many of his lines. Jay Carr of The Boston Globe praised the 'emotional subtleties and variety' of the performances, and singled out 'Casey Affleck's junior member of the quartet, dying to be taken as seriously as the others.' Ben also starred in the film. In 2001, Ben was cast in Steven Soderbergh's heist comedy Ocean's Eleven, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Damon. Casey Affleck also appeared in the film, playing a Mormon brother and wisecracking mechanic.
Reader's Guide
Ben Affleck is the older brother of actor Casey Affleck. He co-wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting (1997) with Matt Damon. He also starred in the Ocean's film series (2001–2007). In 2010, Casey Affleck directed the mockumentary I'm Still Here. Ben Affleck starred in his brother's crime drama Gone Baby Gone (2007), which marked Casey's breakthrough. Ben Affleck also appeared in the biographical thriller Oppenheimer (2023), which was Casey's highest-grossing release.
Did You Know?
- Ben Affleck is the older brother of Casey Affleck.
- Ben Affleck co-wrote Good Will Hunting (1997) with childhood friend Matt Damon.
- Ben Affleck starred in the Ocean's film series (2001–2007) alongside Casey Affleck.
- Ben Affleck starred in his brother Casey's crime drama Gone Baby Gone (2007).
- Ben Affleck appeared in Oppenheimer (2023), which was Casey's highest-grossing release.
More in Characters & Actors
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