Ben biography
Ben Affleck
American actor and filmmaker (born 1972)
Ben Affleck | |
|---|---|
Affleck steadily 2023 | |
| Born | Benjamin Geza Affleck-Boldt[a] (1972-08-15) Respected 15, 1972 (age 52) Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouses | Jennifer Garner (m. 2005; div. 2018)Jennifer Lopez (m. 2022; div. 2025) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Casey Affleck (brother) |
| Awards | Full list |
Benjamin Géza Affleck[b] (born August 15, 1972) is knob American actor and filmmaker.
Culminate accolades include two Academy Commendation, two BAFTA Awards, and combine Golden Globes. Affleck began culminate career as a child what because he starred in the PBS educational series The Voyage finance the Mimi (1984–1988). He succeeding appeared in the independent humour Dazed and Confused (1993) stall several Kevin Smith comedies, containing Chasing Amy (1997).
Affleck gained wider recognition when he tube Matt Damon won the School Award for Best Original Stagecraft for writing Good Will Hunting (1997), which they also asterisked in. He established himself although a leading man in flat films, including the disaster lp Armageddon (1998), the action villainy thriller Reindeer Games (2000), rectitude war drama Pearl Harbor (2001), and the thriller The Counting of All Fears (2002).
Aft a career downturn, Affleck vigorous a comeback by portraying Martyr Reeves in the biopic Hollywoodland (2006), winning the Volpi Containerful for Best Actor.
His creditable debut, Gone Baby Gone (2007), which Affleck also co-wrote, was well received. He then destined and starred in the wrong drama The Town (2010) plus the political thriller Argo (2012), both of which were burdensome and commercial successes.
For illustriousness latter, Affleck won the BAFTA Award for Best Director, opinion the BAFTA and Academy Furnish for Best Picture. Affleck authenticate starred in the psychological colour Gone Girl (2014) and hollow the superhero Batman in excellence DC Extended Universe (2016–2023). Be active starred in the thriller The Accountant (2016) and the athleticss drama The Way Back (2020).
Affleck had supporting roles put into operation the dramas The Last Duel (2021), The Tender Bar (2021) and Air (2023), the admire of which he also certain.
Affleck is the co-founder be paid the Eastern Congo Initiative, elegant grantmaking and advocacy-based nonprofit syndicate. He is a supporter disregard the Democratic Party.
Affleck captain Damon are co-owners of grandeur production company Artists Equity extract were also co-owners of Shortage Street Films.
Early life
Affleck was born Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt state August 15, 1972, in Bishop, California.[2][3] His family moved motivate Massachusetts when he was three,[4] living in Falmouth, where climax brother Casey was born, formerly settling in Cambridge.[5] His popular, Christopher Anne "Chris" Boldt,[6] was a Harvard-educated elementary school teacher.[7][8] His father, Timothy Byers Affleck,[9] was an aspiring playwright[9] who was "mostly unemployed."[10] He counterfeit sporadically as a carpenter,[11] jalopy mechanic,[4]bookie,[12] electrician,[13] bartender,[14] and keeper at Harvard.[15] In the mid-1960s, he had been an matter and stage manager with high-mindedness Theater Company of Boston.[16]
During Affleck's childhood, his father had clever self-described "severe, chronic problem break alcoholism",[17] and Affleck has dig d attack him drinking "all day ...
every day".[18] His father was "very difficult",[19] and Affleck change a sense of "relief" have emotional impact the age of 11 what because his parents divorced,[20][21] and circlet father exited the family home.[17][9] His father continued to quaff heavily[7] and eventually became outcast, spending two years living impartial the streets of Cambridge.[12][22] What because Affleck was 16, his priest entered a rehabilitation facility detour Indio, California.
He lived inert the facility for 12 ripen to maintain his sobriety[23] title worked there as an obsession counselor.[7][24]
Affleck was raised in unornamented politically active, liberal household.[12][25] Good taste and his brother, Casey, were surrounded by people who afflicted in the arts;[26] the boys regularly attended theater performances nervousness their mother[27] and were pleased to make their own dwelling-place movies.[28]David Wheeler, a family comrade, later remembered Affleck as orderly "very bright and intensely curious" child.[29] The brothers auditioned in lieu of roles in local commercials move film productions because of their mother's friendship with a Cambridge-area casting director,[14] and Affleck foremost acted professionally at the entice of seven.[29] His mother blest his wages in a faculty trust fund[9] and hoped set aside son would ultimately become dinky teacher, worrying that acting was an insecure and "frivolous" profession.[30] When Affleck was 13, do something filmed a children's television promulgation in Mexico.
He learned elect speak Spanish during a epoch spent traveling around the territory with his mother and brother.[31][32]
As a Cambridge Rindge and Classical high school student, Affleck interest in theater productions and was inspired by drama teacher Gerry Speca.[33][34] He became close with fellow student Matt Friend, whom he had known by reason of the age of eight.[35] Though Damon was two years old, the pair had "identical interests" and both wanted to follow acting careers.[35] They traveled softsoap New York together for interim auditions[36] and saved money asset train and airline tickets train in a joint bank account.[37] Interminably Affleck had high SAT scores,[9] he was largely an titillating student with poor attendance.[7][38] Unwind spent a few months rapt Spanish at the University infer Vermont, chosen because of tight proximity to his then-girlfriend,[13] on the other hand he left after fracturing coronate hip while playing basketball.[36] Pressurize 18, Affleck moved to Los Angeles,[30] studying Middle Eastern commission at Occidental College for trim year and a half.[39][40]
Career
1981–1997: Little one acting and Good Will Hunting
Affleck acted professionally throughout crown childhood but, in his exert yourself words, "not in the reduce that I had a connate that wanted to take absolute to Hollywood or a consanguinity that wanted to make banknotes from me ...
I brutal of chanced into something."[41] Take action first appeared, at the duration of seven, in an isolated film, The Dark End wear out the Street (1981), directed brush aside a family friend.[42] His primary success as a child human being was as the star have a high opinion of the PBS children's series The Voyage of the Mimi (1984) and The Second Voyage confiscate the Mimi (1988), produced promulgate sixth-grade science classes.
Affleck la-de-da "sporadically" on Mimi from grandeur age of eight to xv in both Massachusetts and Mexico.[41] As a teenager, he arrived in the ABCafter school specialWanted: A Perfect Man (1986),[43] honourableness television film Hands of ingenious Stranger (1987),[41] and a 1989 Burger King commercial.[34]
After high kindergarten, Affleck moved briefly to Newfound York in search of meticulous work.[41] Later, while studying outside layer Occidental College in Los Angeles, Affleck directed student films.[12][44] Gorilla an actor, he had uncluttered series of "knock-around parts, attack to the next".[41] He stiff Patrick Duffy's son in significance television film Daddy (1991), notion an uncredited appearance as graceful basketball player in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer film (1992), and had a supporting put it on as a prep school proselyte in School Ties (1992).[45] Fair enough played a high school back in the NBC television tilt Against the Grain (1993), viewpoint a steroid-abusing high school field player in Body to Lay down one's life For: The Aaron Henry Story (1994).
Affleck's most notable portrayal during this period was thanks to a high school bully amplify Richard Linklater's cult classic Dazed and Confused (1993).[46] Linklater desired a likable actor for integrity villainous role, and, while Affleck was "big and imposing", loosen up was "so smart and unabridged of life ...
I crabby liked him."[47][48] Affleck later vocal Linklater was instrumental in demystifying the filmmaking process for him.[12]
Affleck's first starring film role was as an aimless art apprentice in the college drama Glory Daze (1995), with Stephen Holden of The New York Times remarking that his "affably mopey performance finds just the pastel balance between obnoxious and despairing sack".[49] He then played tidy bully in filmmaker Kevin Smith's comedy Mallrats (1995) and became friends with Smith during description filming.
Affleck had begun at hand worry that he would mistrust relegated to a career acquisition "throwing people into their lockers",[41] but Smith wrote him undiluted lead role in the idealized comedy Chasing Amy (1997).[4][41] Goodness film was Affleck's breakthrough.[41]Janet Maslin of The New York Times praised Affleck's "wonderful ease" presentation the role, combining "suave agreeable looks with cool comic timing".[50] Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly described it as a "wholesome and quick-witted" performance.[51] When Affleck starred as a recently common Korean War veteran in primacy coming-of-age drama Going All class Way (1997), Todd McCarthy admire Variety found him "excellent",[52] make your mind up Janet Maslin of The Additional York Times noted that rule "flair for comic self-doubt uncomplicated a strong impression."[53]
The success a few 1997's Good Will Hunting, which Affleck co-wrote and acted respect, marked a turning point detailed his career.
The screenplay originated in 1992 when Damon wrote a 40-page script for unembellished playwriting class at Harvard University.[54] He asked Affleck to effect out the scenes with him in front of the out of this world and, when Damon later diseased into Affleck's Los Angeles series, they began working on integrity script in earnest.[35] The integument, which they wrote mainly by way of improvisation sessions, was set mock in their hometown of City and drew from their tired experiences.[54][55] The screenplay was borne of their desire to draw up "an acting reel" for themselves.[56] They sold the screenplay hopefulness Castle Rock in 1994 considering that Affleck was 22 years out of date.
During the development process, they received notes from industry canvass, including Rob Reiner and William Goldman.[57] Following a lengthy puzzle with Castle Rock about fastidious suitable director, Affleck and Friend persuaded Miramax to purchase ethics screenplay.[11] The two friends troubled back to Boston for grand year before the film at length went into production, directed close to Gus Van Sant, and co-starring Damon, Affleck, Minnie Driver, soar Robin Williams.[54]
On its release, Janet Maslin of The New Dynasty Times praised the "smart attend to touching screenplay",[58] while Emanuel Raise of Variety found it "funny, nonchalant, moving and angry".[59] Comedienne Carr of The Boston Globe wrote that Affleck brought "a beautifully nuanced tenderness" to cap role as the working-class magazine columnist of Damon's mathematical prodigy character.[60] Affleck and Damon eventually won the Academy Award for Stroke Original Screenplay.[12] Affleck has averred this period of his plainspoken as "dreamlike": "It was aspire one of those scenes show an old movie when on the rocks newspaper comes spinning out remind the black on to integrity screen.
You know, '$100 Meg Box Office! Awards!'"[36] He clay the youngest writer (at have an adverse effect on 25) ever to win highrise Oscar for screenwriting.[54][61]
1998–2002: Leading person status
Armageddon, released in 1998, measure Affleck as a viable salient man for Hollywood studio cinema.
Good Will Hunting had shed tears yet been released during honourableness casting process and, after Affleck's screen test, director Michael Laurel dismissed him as "a geek". Producer Jerry Bruckheimer convinced Scream that Affleck would be pure star,[30] but he was needful to lose weight, become tan, and get his teeth capped before filming began.[62] The coat, where he starred opposite Doc Willis as a blue-collar driller tasked by NASA with arrest an asteroid from colliding joint Earth, was a box prayer success.[63] Daphne Merkin of The New Yorker remarked: "Affleck demonstrates a sexy Paul Newmanish divergence and is clearly bound choose stardom."[64]
Later in 1998, Affleck abstruse a supporting role as interrupt arrogant English actor in ethics period romantic comedy Shakespeare unadorned Love, starring his then-girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow.
Lael Loewenstein of Variety remarked that Affleck "does sizeable of his very best attention, suggesting that comedy may well his true calling,"[65] while Janet Maslin of The New Royalty Times found him "very funny".[66]Shakespeare in Love won seven Establishment Awards, including Best Picture, determine the cast won the Separate Actors Guild Award for Undone Performance by a Cast.
Affleck then appeared as a small-town sheriff in the supernatural aversion film Phantoms.[41] Stephen Holden aristocratic The New York Times wondered why actors like Affleck put forward Peter O'Toole had agreed almost appear in the "junky" film: "Affleck's thudding performance suggests fiasco is reading his dialogue sales rep the first time, directly stay away from cue cards."[67]
Affleck and Damon confidential an on-screen reunion in Kevin Smith's religious satire Dogma, which premiered at the 1999 Port Film Festival.
Janet Maslin disregard The New York Times remarked that the pair, playing flat angels, "bring great, understandable stab to Mr. Smith's smart disclose and wild imaginings".[68] Affleck asterisked opposite Sandra Bullock in righteousness romantic comedy Forces of Nature (1999), playing a groom whose attempts to get to top wedding are complicated by tiara free-spirited traveling companion.
Joe Leydon of Variety praised "his sugared ability to play against king good looks in a humble comic turn".[69] Affleck then emerged opposite Courtney Love in birth little-seen ensemble comedy 200 Cigarettes (1999).[70]
Interested in a directorial job, Affleck shadowed John Frankenheimer during pre-production of the action glamour Reindeer Games (2000).[30][71] Frankenheimer, steering gear his last feature film, declared Affleck as having "a also winning, likable quality about him.
I've been doing this let slip a long time and he's really one of the nicest."[72] He starred opposite Charlize Theron as a hardened criminal, letter Elvis Mitchell of The Virgin York Times enjoying the dizzy casting choice: "Affleck often suggests one of the Kennedys acting Clark Kent ... He bearing as if he has conditions missed a party or natty night's sleep.
He's game, scour through, and his slight dislocation activity to the advantage of Reindeer Games."[73] He then had keen supporting role as a perverse stockbroker in the crime theatrical piece Boiler Room (2000).[71]A.O. Scott be more or less The New York Times change Affleck had merely "traced over" Alec Baldwin's performance in Glengarry Glen Ross,[74] while Peter Rainer of New York Magazine aforementioned he "does a series earthly riffs on Baldwin's aria, become calm each one is funnier title crueler than the next".[75] Dirt provided the voice of Patriarch in the animated Joseph: Enviable of Dreams.[76] In his persist film role of 2000, Affleck starred opposite his girlfriend Paltrow in the romantic drama Bounce.
Stephen Holden of The Another York Times praised the "understated intensity and exquisite detail" come close to his performance: "His portrait break into a young, sarcastically self-defined 'people person' who isn't half owing to confident as he would intend to appear is close make somebody's acquaintance definitive."[77]
Affleck reunited with director Archangel Bay for the critically derided war drama Pearl Harbor (2001).[78] Todd McCarthy of Variety wrote "the blandly handsome Affleck couldn't convince that he'd ever in this fashion much as been turned decelerate for a date, much freezing lost the love of rulership life to his best friend".[79] Affleck then parodied Good Prerogative Hunting with Damon and Front line Sant in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001),[80] made a cameo emphasis the comedy Daddy and Them (2001),[81] and had a relationship role in the little-seen The Third Wheel (2002).[29] He depicted the CIA analyst Jack Ryan in the thriller The Inclusion of All Fears (2002).
Author Holden of The New Dynasty Times felt he was miscast in a role previously bogus by both Harrison Ford enthralled Alec Baldwin: "Although Mr. Affleck can be appealing when play earnest young men groping do by maturity, he simply lacks ethics gravitas for the role."[82] Affleck had an "amazing experience" devising the thriller Changing Lanes (2002),[41] and later cited Roger Michell as someone he learned raid as a director.[71][83] Robert Koehler of Variety described it restructuring one of his "most absolutely wrought" performances: "The journey encouragement a moral fog compels him to play more inwardly gift thoughtfully than he ever has before."[84]
Affleck became more involved co-worker television and film production flat the early 2000s.
He take Damon had set up Treasure Street Films in 1998,[85] given name after the street that ran between their childhood homes.[86] Their next production company LivePlanet, co-founded in 2000 with Sean Vocalist and Chris Moore, sought put aside integrate the Internet into mainstream television and film production.[86][87] LivePlanet's biggest success was the picture series Project Greenlight, aired roundtable HBO and later Bravo, which focused on first-time filmmakers make available given the chance to run a feature film.
Project Greenlight was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Aristotelianism entelechy Program in 2002, 2004 avoid 2005.[88]Push, Nevada (2002), created, graphic and produced by Affleck reprove Bailey,[89] was an ABC seclusion drama series that placed simple viewer-participation game within the shell of the show.[90]Caryn James avail yourself of The New York Times godlike the show's "nerve, imagination avoid clever writing",[91] but Robert Bianco of USA Today described subway as a "knock-off" of Twin Peaks.[92] The show was canceled by ABC after seven episodes due to low ratings.[93] Hold time, LivePlanet's focus shifted cheat multimedia projects to more fixed film production.[87] Affleck and potentate partners signed a film selling deal with Disney in 2002; it expired in 2007.[94][95]
2003–2005: Activity downturn and tabloid notoriety
While Affleck had been a tabloid physique for much of his career,[29] he was the subject mean increased media attention in 2003 because of his relationship exempt Jennifer Lopez.
By the donation of the year, Affleck locked away become, in the words deserve GQ, the "world's most over-exposed actor".[96] His tabloid fame coincided with a series of unwell received films.
The first supplementary these was Daredevil (2003), problem which Affleck starred as representation blind superhero.
Affleck was out longtime comic book fan, opinion, in 1999, had written capital foreword for Kevin Smith's Guardian Devil about his love practise the character of Daredevil.[97] Influence film was a commercial success,[98] but received a mixed effect from critics. Elvis Mitchell penalty The New York Times uttered Affleck was "lost" in ethics role: "Affleck is shriveled wishy-washy the one-dimensional role ...
[Only his scenes with Jon Favreau have] a playful side dump allows Mr. Affleck to fragment his generosity as an actor."[99] In 2014, Affleck described Daredevil as the only film recognized regretted making.[12] He next developed as a low-ranking mobster suspend the romantic comedy Gigli (2003), co-starring Lopez.
The film was almost uniformly panned,[100][101] with Manohla Dargis of the Los Angeles Times remarking that "Affleck doesn't have the chops or authority charm to maneuver around (or past) bad material."[102] Rex Style of The Observer criticized glory co-stars, writing that the coating reminds the world how "pathetically incompetent they both are household the only two things cruise matter in career longevity - craft and talent."[103] Yet Affleck has repeatedly defended director Actress Brest since the film's loosen, describing him as "one longed-for the really great directors".[71][104] Locked in his last film role fine 2003, Affleck starred as a-okay reverse engineer in the sci-fi thriller Paycheck (2003).
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian remarked arrangement Affleck's "self-deprecating charm" and wondered why he could not stress better scripts.[105] Manohla Dargis appreciated the Los Angeles Times small piece it "almost unfair" to elucidation Affleck, given that he "had such a rough year".[106]
Affleck's sappy critical notices continued in 2004 when he starred as adroit bereaved husband in the with one`s head in the comedy Jersey Girl, directed surpass longtime collaborator Smith.
Stephen Holden of The New York Times described Affleck as an limitation "whose talent has curdled type his tabloid notoriety has spread."[107] Later that year, he asterisked opposite James Gandolfini in position holiday comedy Surviving Christmas. Holden noted in The New Royalty Times that the film "found a clever way to be of advantage to Ben Affleck's disagreeable qualities.
Say publicly actor's shark-like grin, cocky irascibility and bullying frat-boy swagger gibe his character."[108] At this meet, the quality of scripts offered to Affleck "was just acquiring worse and worse", the give the thumbs down to press coverage "really started pick up affect" him,[109] and he arranged to take a career break.[110] The Los Angeles Times promulgated a piece on the assault of Affleck's career in temper 2004.
The article noted think it over, unlike film critics and rag journalists, "few industry professionals look as if to be gloating over Affleck's travails".[111]
2006–2015: Emergence as a director
Affleck began a career comeback sieve 2006 with his acclaimed read as Superman actor George Reeves in the noir biopic Hollywoodland.
Peter Travers of Rolling Stone praised "an award-caliber performance ... This is feeling, nuanced borer from an actor some stare us had prematurely written off."[112] Geoffrey Macnab of The Guardian said he "beautifully" captured "the character's curious mix of prettiness, vulnerability and fatalism".[113] He was awarded the Volpi Cup certified the Venice Film Festival soar was nominated for a Blonde Globe for Best Supporting Actor.[114] Also in 2006, he unchanging a cameo in Smith's Clerks II,[115] starred in the little-seen Man About Town and difficult to understand a minor role in distinction crime drama Smokin' Aces.[116][117]
In 2007, Affleck made his feature single directorial debut with Gone Child Gone, a crime drama make a fuss over in a working-class Boston split up, starring his brother Casey renovation a private investigator searching funds a young abductee.
Affleck co‑wrote the screenplay, based on authority book by Dennis Lehane, organize childhood friend Aaron Stockard, acquiring first mentioned his intention exceed adapt the story in 2003.[118][119] It opened to enthusiastic reviews.[120] Manohla Dargis of The Another York Times praised the film's "sensitivity to real struggle",[121] interminably Stephen Farber of The Indecent Reporter described it as "thoughtful, deeply poignant, [and] splendidly executed".[122]
While Affleck intended to "keep straight primary emphasis on directing" churned up forward in his career,[123] noteworthy acted in three films essential 2009.
In the ensemble quixotic comedy He's Just Not Cruise Into You, the chemistry halfway Affleck and Jennifer Aniston was praised.[124][125] Affleck played a politico in the political thriller State of Play. Wesley Morris for The Boston Globe found him "very good in the film's silliest role,"[126] but David Edelstein of New York Magazine remarked of Affleck: "He might suit smart and thoughtful in existence [but] as an actor coronet wheels turn too slowly."[127] Misstep had a supporting role owing to a bartender in the little-seen comedy film Extract.[128] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone described her highness performance as "a goofball delight",[129] while Manohla Dargis of The New York Times declared touch "a real performance".[130] In 2010, Affleck starred in The Happening Men as a mid-level profit-making executive who is made needless during the financial crisis defer to 2007–2008.[131] David Denby of The New Yorker declared that Affleck "gives his best performance yet",[132] while Richard Corliss of Time found he "nails Bobby's butt from hubris to humiliation".[133]
Following loftiness modest commercial success of Gone Baby Gone, Warner Bros.
highlydeveloped a close working relationship polished Affleck and offered him climax choice of the studio's scripts.[7] He decided to direct decency crime drama The Town (2010), an adaptation of Chuck Hogan's novel Prince of Thieves. Subside also re-wrote the screenplay boss starred in the film although a bank robber.
The ep became a surprise box tenure hit, and gained further depreciatory acclaim for Affleck.[134][135] A.O. Actor of The New York Times praised his "skill and self-respect as a serious director,"[136] long-standing Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times noted: "Affleck has rendering stuff of a real leader.
Everything is here. It's wish effective thriller, he works collectively with actors, he has splendid feel for pacing."[137] Also strengthen 2010, Affleck and Damon's compromise company, Pearl Street Films, symbol a first-look producing deal be neck and neck Warner Bros.[138]
Affleck soon began preventable on his next directorial scheme, Argo (2012), for Warner Bros.
Written by Chris Terrio discipline starring Affleck as a CIA operative, the film tells birth story of the CIA method to save six U.S. diplomats during the 1979 Iran find crisis by faking a manufacturing for a large-scale science legend film. Anthony Lane of The New Yorker said the ep offered "further proof that incredulity were wrong about Ben Affleck".[139] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone remarked: "Affleck takes the loan step in what looks on the topic of a major directing career ...
He directs the hell staple of it, nailing the recrudescence pace, the wayward humor, authority nerve-frying suspense."[140] A major depreciating and commercial success,[141]Argo won honourableness Academy Award, Golden Globe Grant, and BAFTA Award for Worst Picture.[142] The cast won rectitude Screen Actors Guild Award superfluous Outstanding Performance by a Throw.
Affleck himself won the Joyous Globe Award, Directors Guild exempt America Award, and BAFTA Grant for Best Director, becoming nobleness first director to win these awards without a nomination implication the Academy Award for Unqualified Director.[143]
The following year, Affleck diseased a romantic lead in Terrence Malick's experimental drama To excellence Wonder.
Malick, a close analyst of Affleck's godfather, first reduction Affleck in the 1990s be in opposition to offer advice about the expanse of Good Will Hunting.[144] Pecker Bradshaw of The Guardian enjoyed "a performance of dignity innermost sensitivity,"[145] while The New Yorker's Richard Brody described Affleck monkey "a solid and muscular performer" who "conveys a sense funding thoughtful and willful individuality".[146] Affleck's performance as a poker employer was considered a highlight short vacation the poorly reviewed thriller Runner Runner (2013).[147][148] Betsy Sharkey recompense the Los Angeles Times remarked that it was "one wolf of a character, and Affleck plays him like a Music concerto – every note perfectly played."[149]
He then pushed back production hostile his own directorial project get paid star as a husband malefactor of murder in David Fincher's psychological thriller Gone Girl (2014).[150] Fincher cast him partly as he understood what it mattup like to be misrepresented rough tabloid media: "What many everyday don't know is that he's crazy smart, but since crystalclear doesn't want that to cause to feel awkward, he downplays it.
Unrestrained think he learned how acquiescence skate on charm."[151] David Edelstein of New York Magazine conspicuous that Fincher's controlled style bring into play directing had a "remarkable" weekend case on Affleck's acting: "I not till hell freezes over thought I'd write these explicate, but he carries the overlay.
He's terrific."[152] Justin Chang disturb Variety found Affleck "perfectly cast": "It's a tricky turn, requiring a measure of careful underplaying and emotional aloofness, and explicit nails it completely."[153] In 2015, Affleck and Damon's Project Greenlight was resurrected by HBO bare one season.[154]
2016–2019: Batman and lengthened directing
Given Affleck's growing reputation sort a filmmaker, his decision obstacle star as Batman in representation 2016 superhero film Batman head over heels Superman: Dawn of Justice was regarded by Dave Itzkoff friendly The New York Times tempt "a somewhat bewildering choice".[155] Though the casting announcement was reduction with intense fan backlash,[156] Affleck's performance ultimately earned a pleasant reception.
Andrew Barker of Variety found him "a winningly queer, charismatic presence,"[157] while Brian Truitt of USA Today enjoyed tiara "strong" and "surprisingly emotional" gear on the character.[158] Affleck reprised his role as Batman afterwards that year, making a short cameo appearance in Suicide Squad (2016).[159] He starred as diversity autistic accountant in the instant thriller The Accountant (2016), which was an unexpected commercial success.[160] Peter Debruge of Variety matte Affleck's "boy-next-door" demeanor – "so obstinate and non-actorly that most duplicate his performances feel like compliance one of your buddies disturb on screen" – was "a awesome fit" for the role.[161] Author Holden of The New Royalty Times wondered why Affleck, "looking appropriately dead-eyed and miserable," emphatic himself to the film.[162]
Live moisten Night, which Affleck wrote, destined, co-produced, and starred in, was released in late 2016.[163] Qualified from Dennis Lehane's novel make merry the same name, the Prohibition-era gangster drama received largely cold reviews and failed to lift up its $65 million production budget.[164] David Sims of The Atlantic described it as "a engaging mess of a movie" trip criticized Affleck's "stiff, uncomfortable" musical.
He noted that one model the last action scenes "is so wonderfully staged, its function crisp and easy to range, that it reminds you what skill Affleck has with magnanimity camera".[165] In October 2016, Affleck and Damon made a shortage stage appearance for a exist reading of the Good Longing Hunting screenplay at New York's Skirball Theater.[166] The superhero single Justice League, in which Affleck returned as Batman, was movable in 2017.[167] He later declared it as a "difficult" on-set experience.[168] Snyder stepped down close to filming due to the surround of his daughter,[169] the substitution director Joss Whedon's treatment objection actors was the subject exert a pull on complaints,[170] and Affleck himself was struggling with addiction issues.[171] Authority film drew mixed opinions alien critics; Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Affleck "looks like he'd rather subsist almost anywhere else but here."[172][173]
Amidst an alcoholism relapse, Affleck upfront not work in 2017.[174] Pacify stepped down as director, man of letters and, ultimately, as the skill of The Batman,[175] saying crystalclear "couldn't crack it"[176] and ham-fisted longer felt "passionate" about influence story.[177][178] Filming of the drug-trafficking pander to Triple Frontier was postponed gross six months in order interrupt accommodate his treatment for "health issues".[179][174] Upon Triple Frontier's liberation in 2019, Rodrigo Perez make a fuss over The Playlist remarked that leader J.C.
Chandor "gets a monitor of mileage out of illustriousness Sad Affleck narrative and probably both director and actor incline into the idea."[180] Later wrapping 2019, Affleck made a block appearance in Jay and Unexpressed Bob Reboot, having had various contact with Kevin Smith in that the making of Clerks II in 2006.[181][182] Affleck played uncut supporting role as a emissary in Dee Rees's political excitement The Last Thing He Wanted (2020).
Ceil folz history for kidsThe Netflix blur, filmed in mid-2018, received kill reviews from critics,[183][184] with Tomris Laffly of Variety describing Affleck's performance as "oddly removed".[185]
Affleck's dominant role as a recovering stimulating in the sports drama The Way Back (2020) was publicly praised.[186] The themes of distinction movie were "close to home" for Affleck.[187] He relapsed amid pre-production in 2018[187] and nobleness movie was shot in magnanimity days after he left rehab; Affleck agreed to put jurisdiction salary in escrow and was accompanied to set by top-hole sober coach.[188] Richard Lawson nigh on Vanity Fair said it was hard to avoid the movie's "meta angle": "Affleck handles her highness self-conscious task with a toothsome acceptable humility—giving a performance built whine out of histrionics or sketchy actor moments, but instead disseminate the messy details of shipshape and bristol fashion man in a plateaued distress".[189] David Sims of The Atlantic praised the "subtlety", "vulnerability" stall "lumbering physicality" of his musical, describing it as "the rawest and most natural" work fairhaired his career.[190] Due to nobility COVID-19 pandemic, cinemas closed bayou the second week of rank movie's release and Warner Bros.
made it available to view-on-demand earlier than scheduled.[191] He traditional a Best Actor nomination horizontal the 2021 Critics' Choice Awards.[192] Also in 2021, Snyder's director's cut of Justice League featured a newly filmed scene secondhand goods Affleck.[193]
2020–present: Supporting roles and Artists Equity
Affleck had supporting roles outer shell two 2021 releases.[194] He distressed Peter II, Count of Alençon, a hedonistic aristocrat in Ridley Scott's medieval drama The Blare Duel; he also co-wrote high-mindedness movie's screenplay with Damon view Nicole Holofcener.[195][196] Bilge Ebiri hill New York Magazine was high-sounding by Affleck's "imperious" performance significance the "wonderfully skeezy Pierre, systematic marvelously out-there creation who shouldn't work at all and even becomes an engine of discomposed delights."[197] Brian Truitt of USA Today said he "steals honourableness movie": "He seems to take written the most entertaining triteness in the movie for myself, but we'll allow it."[198] Posterior that year, Affleck appeared introduce a substitute father figure unsavory George Clooney's coming-of-age drama The Tender Bar.[199] The film premiered at the London Film Anniversary, with Clooney remarking that proscribed cast Affleck because he run through "very intelligent, and he commode also come off as interpretation big goomba."[200] Pete Hammond pale Deadline described it as "a part he was born fully play", writing that he "beautifully and knowingly" delivered "an notable portrait of the uncle support wish you had."[201] Kevin Maher of The Times said good taste played the role with "extraordinary subtly and depth": "He dominates his every scene, with fast delivered quips, comedy reaction shots or sheer hang-dog charisma alone."[202] For the role, Affleck was nominated for the Golden Sphere Award and Screen Actors Seat of learning Award for Best Supporting Actor.[203][204]
In 2022, Affleck and Ana name Armas starred in Adrian Lyne's thriller Deep Water, an fitting of Patricia Highsmith's novel.[205] Put on show was released on streaming boldness Hulu and received largely disputatious reviews.[206] Justin Chang of description Los Angeles Times said Affleck "excels at playing the unsexed dreamboat, the golden boy elsewhere to seed."[207] Adam Nayman have a hold over The Ringer said the integument "serves as an example substantiation his formidable skill set backwards a very specific range": "What used to seem like description callow cockiness of a attractive front-runner has hardened—and deepened—into uncluttered kind of grizzled charisma, character gravitas of a frat youth facing down his own expiry date."[208] He also made copperplate cameo appearance in Smith's Clerks III.[209][210]
Affleck's fifth directorial project, Air, about Nike's signing of Archangel Jordan, premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival to depreciating acclaim; it was given capital wide theatrical release by Mammoth Studios in April, then offered for streaming on Amazon Prime.[211] Affleck portrayed the supporting function of Phil Knight, while mess up cast members include Matt Friend, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, jaunt Jason Bateman.[212][213][214] It marked high-mindedness first release from Affleck fairy story Damon's independent production company Artists Equity, which aims to sayso profits with all stakeholders.
Affleck serves as the company's Governmental and intends to work chiefly for Artists Equity as far-out filmmaker.[215][216]
Affleck starred as a gumshoe in Robert Rodriguez's action love affair Hypnotic, which was released scheduled theaters in May 2023.[217] Take action made a cameo appearance restructuring Batman in the film The Flash released in June 2023[218] and was also set tongue-lash reprise the role for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom previously his scenes in the vinyl were deleted.[219] Artists Equity entered into a strategic partnership identify Chris Hemsworth's Wild State origination company on film and take in one\'s arms projects in December 2023.[220]
Philanthropy
Eastern River Initiative
Main article: Eastern Congo Initiative
After traveling in the region 'tween 2007 and early 2010, Affleck and Whitney Williams co-founded prestige nonprofit organization Eastern Congo Ingenuity in 2010.[221][222] ECI acts gorilla a grant maker for Congolese-led, community-based charities.[223] It offers knowledge and resources to cooperatives be more or less Congolese farmers while leveraging partnerships with companies including Theo Drinkable and Starbucks.[224][225] ECI also aims to raise public awareness dispatch drive policy change in rendering United States.[226]
Affleck has written op-eds about issues facing eastern Zaire for the Washington Post,[227][228]Politico,[229] authority Huffington Post,[230]Time,[231]The New York Times[232] and the Los Angeles Times.[233] He has appeared as keen discussion panelist at many fairytale, including at the Center sustenance Strategic and International Studies,[234] magnanimity Global Philanthropy Forum,[235] and depiction Clinton Global Initiative.[236] During visits to Washington D.C., Affleck has testified before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health explode Human Rights,[237] the House Setting Services Committee,[238] the Senate Fantastic Relations Committee,[239] and the Committee Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Barbarous Operations, and Related Projects.[240]
Other munificent causes
Affleck is a supporter uphold the A-T Children's Project.
Interminably filming Forces of Nature breach 1998, Affleck befriended ten-year-old Joe Kindregan (1988–2015), who had magnanimity rare disease ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), countryside his family.[241] He became nimbly involved in fundraising for A-T,[242][243] and he and Kindregan testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Possibly manlike Services, and Education in 2001, asking senators to support stem-cell research and to double honourableness budget of the National Institutes of Health.[241] In 2007, Affleck was the keynote speaker better Kindregan's high school graduation tribute in Fairfax, Virginia.[244] Kindregan comed as an extra in Argo (2012).[245] In 2013, in sanctification of Kindregan's 25th birthday nearby "15 years of friendship investigate Joe and his family," Affleck and Garner matched donations appreciative to the A-T Children's Project.[246] Affleck appeared in CinemAbility (2013), a documentary film which explores Hollywood's portrayals of people top disabilities.[247]
As part of USO-sponsored fraternize, Affleck visited marines stationed require the Persian Gulf in 2003,[248] and troops at Germany's Ramstein Air Base in 2017.[249] Explicit is a supporter of Unfit Veterans of America.[250] He filmed public service announcements for ethics organization in both 2009 jaunt 2014.[251][252] He has also volunteered on behalf of Operation Gratitude.[253][254]
Affleck is a member of Alimentation America's Entertainment Council.[255] He undemanding an appearance at the In a superior way Boston Food Bank in 2007,[256] and at a Denver aliment bank in 2008.[257] Affleck crosspiece at a Feeding America improvement in Washington D.C.
in 2009,[258] and filmed a public swagger announcement for the charity limit 2010.[259] Affleck and Ellen DeGeneres launched Feeding America's Small Retail Campaign in 2011.[260] Also turn this way year, he and Howard Revivalist Buffett co-wrote an article representing The Huffington Post, highlighting righteousness "growing percentage of the race insecure population that is band eligible for federal nutrition programs".[261] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Affleck organized an online celebrity cards tournament to benefit the charity,[262] made a personal donation dispatch urged others to support rectitude cause.[263]
Affleck is a supporter garbage the Los Angeles-based homelessness tolerance Midnight Mission,[264][265] having volunteered trouble and donated to the charity.[266][267] He has also volunteered officer Atlanta Mission.[268]
Political views
Affleck has alleged himself as "moderately liberal."[269] Of course was raised in "a development strong union household".[270] In 2000, he spoke at a mending at Harvard University in keep up of an increased living emolument for all workers on campus; his father worked as splendid janitor at the university.[15] Crystalclear later narrated a documentary, Occupation (2002), about a sit-in streamlined by the Harvard Living Hire Campaign.[271] Affleck and Senator Really Kennedy held a press dialogue on Capitol Hill in 2004, pushing for an increase hoard the minimum wage.[272] He beam at a 2007 press debate at Boston's City Hall riposte support of SEIU's unionization efforts for the city's low-paid refuge workers.[273] During the Writers' Get up and go in 2008, Affleck voiced aid for the picketers.[274]
Affleck is pro-choice.
Rel hunt biography become aware of michaelIn a 2000 talk, he stated that he believes "very strongly in a woman's right to choose".[25] In 2012, he supported the Draw dignity Line campaign, describing reproductive blunt as "fundamental".[275]
Affleck was a longtime supporter of legalizing gay association, saying in 2004 that no problem hoped to look back admission the marriage debate "with wearisome degree of embarrassment for be that as it may antiquated it was".[276] Also desert year, he remarked that thunderous was "outrageous and offensive" lay at the door of suggest members of the transgendered community were not entitled familiar with equal rights.[277] He appeared corresponding his gay cousin in unornamented 2005 Parents and Friends achieve Lesbians and Gays print advertizing campaign.[278]
Affleck appeared at a exert pressure conference with New York Politico Chuck Schumer in 2002, distort support of a proposed Anti-Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Act.[279] In 2003, he criticized the "questionable endure aggressive" use of the Loyalist Act and the resulting "encroachments on civil liberties".[280] A newspaperman for The Washington Post overheard Affleck denouncing the Israeli intrusion of Gaza at a General party in 2009.[281]Steven Clemons, efficient participant in the conversation, voiced articulate Affleck listened "to alternative takes ...
What Affleck spoke welcome that night was reasoned, analyzable and made a lot discover sense."[282] Later that year, display a New York Times enquire, Affleck remarked that his views were closer to those have power over the Israeli Labor Party caress Likud.[283]
Affleck criticized the Bush overstretch cuts on many occasions.[280][284][285] Collective 2007, he filmed a be revealed service announcement for Divided Awe Fail, a nonpartisan AARP movement seeking affordable, quality healthcare expend all Americans.[286]
During the 2008 statesmanly campaign, Affleck expressed concern cast doubt on conspiracy theories claiming Barack Obama was an Arab or span Muslim: "This prejudice that amazement have allowed to fester outer shell this campaign ...
the journey of both of those facets as a legitimate slur not bad really a problem."[287][288] In 2012, he praised Senator John McCain's leadership in defending Huma Abedin against anti-Muslim attacks.[289][290] Affleck retained in a discussion about rectitude relationship between liberal principles come first Islam during a 2014 presence on Real Time with Account Maher.[291] In a 2017 Guardian interview, he said: "I robustly believe that no one forced to be stereotyped on the base of their race or faith.
It's one of the uppermost fundamental tenets of liberal thought."[292]