Happy 48th Birthday, Ben Affleck! Born today in 1972 as Benjamin Géza Affleck-Bold, this American actor, screenwriter, producer and director played leading roles in action, drama, and comedy films but was perhaps more renowned for his work as a screenwriter, director, and producer.
Affleck began his career as a child when he starred in the thirteen-episode PBS American educational television program The Voyage of the Mimi (1984–1984). He played Clement Tylor (C.T.) Granville, the grandson of Captain Granville (Peter T. Marston).
A staple of Kevin Smith films and such seminal indies as American filmmaker Richard Linklater's 1993 American coming-of-age comedy film 'Dazed and Confused', Affleck became a star and entered the annals of Hollywood legend.
Four years later, Affleck gained wider recognition when he and childhood friend Matt Damon wrote and starred in Gus Van Sant's 1997 American drama/independent film 'Good Will Hunting'.
American actor and director Casey Affleck (Ben's younger brother) co-starred as one of Hunting's drinking buddies Morgan O'Mally.
The following year, the film won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay Oscar. It also won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Robin Williams).
This occurred at the 70th Academy Awards in late March 1998.
Afterwards, Affleck then established himself as a leading man in studio films. This included Michael Bay's 'Armageddon' (1998), and 'Pearl Harbor' (2001).
This also included starring in thrillers such as 'Changing Lanes' and Phil Alden Robinson's ('Field of Dreams') 'The Sum of All Fears' (both 2002).
After a career downturn, during which he appeared in 'Daredevil' (along with his then-wife Jennifer Garner) and Martin Brest's ('Beverly Hills Cop') 'Gigli' with Jennifer Lopez (both 2003), Affleck received a Golden Globe nomination three years later.
The latter film also starred Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Justin Bartha, and Lainie Kazan.
This was as portraying American actor George Reeves in the 2006 American neo-noir period mystery/crime film 'Hollywoodland'.
Popular media gave attention and interest to 'Gigli' during production, primarily because Affleck and Lopez, the film's stars, were romantically involved at the time.
After release, however, critical reaction was universally negative, and in the years since its release 'Gigli' has been considered one of the worst films of all time.
It was also one of the most expensive box office bombs in history, grossing $7.3 million against a $75.6 million budget.
The following year after 'Hollywoodland', Affleck made his directorial debut. This was with the 2007 American neo-noir thriller mystery/crime film 'Gone Baby Gone', in which he also co-wrote.
The film starred Casey, and also co-starred Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris.
Three years later, Ben co-wrote, directed, and starred in his 2010 American thriller/crime film 'The Town'.
The film received praise from critics for its direction, screenplay, editing and the performances of the cast (particularly Jeremy Renner) and grossed $154 million worldwide against a $37 million budget.
'The Town' was later chosen by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 2010, while Renner was nominated an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. This occurred at the 83rd Academy Awards in late February 2011.
English character actor Peter Postlethwaite was posthumously nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Two years later, Affleck co-produced (along with George Clooney), directed and starred in the film of which he is best known.
This was the 2012 American/British historical thriller/drama film 'Argo'. Affleck played U.S. Central Intelligence Agency exfiltration specialist Tony Mendez. The film also co-stars Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin and John Goodman.
The film had been based upon American technical operations officer for the CSI Antonio J. Mendez's 1999 The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA.
The film had also been based on American producer Joshuah Bearman's May 2007 article for Wired magazine, entitled Escape from Tehran: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Iran.
One year later, 'Argo' was praised for the acting (particularly Arkin and Goodman's), Affleck's direction, American screenwriter and film director Chris Terrio's screenplay, American film editor William Goldenberg's editing, and French film composer Alexandre Desplat's score.
The film received seven nominations but won three Oscars for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing. This occurred at the 85th Academy Awards in late February 2013.
Despite its praise, 'Argo' has been criticized for minimizing the role of the Canadian embassy in the rescue.
This was for falsely showing that the Americans were turned away by the British and New Zealand embassies, and for exaggerating the danger the group faced during events preceding their escape from the country.
Two years later, Affleck starred in David Fincher's 2014 American psychological thriller/mystery film 'Gone Girl'.
This was alongside English actress Roseamund Pike. The film also co-starred Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry.
Two years later, Affleck starred in two superhero films. These were the 2016 American superhero action/adventure film 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' and the 2017 American superhero action/fantasy film 'Justice League'.
Later that same year after the release of 'Batman v Superman', Casey starred in American film director, playwright, and screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan's 2016 American drama film 'Manchester by the Sea'. This was alongside American actress Michelle Williams.
Three years later, Affleck received praise for his performance as recovering alcoholic Jack Cunningham in the 2020 American sport/drama film 'The Way Back' (titled 'Finding the Way Back' in the United Kingdom).
As of 2020, 'Gigli' is the last film that Brest has directed, making it his longest hiatus between projects. It currently resides on IMDb's Bottom 100 list.
According to Affleck's personal life, he had been the second husband of Jennifer Garner from 2005–2018. They have three children together.
Affleck is the co-founder of the Eastern Congo Initiative; (ECI); a grantmaking and advocacy-based nonprofit organization.
He is also a stalwart supporter of the Democratic Party. Affleck and Damon are co-owners of the American motion picture production company Pearl Street Films.
This was just one of four other productions companies responsible for the developing and filming of 'Manchester by the Sea'.
Tall and handsome in a meat-eating sort of way, Affleck has the looks of a matinee idol and the résumé of an actor who honed his craft as an indie film slacker before flexing his muscles as a Hollywood star.
Affleck has been active from 1981–present.
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