What is Ben Affleck's Net Worth?
Ben Affleck is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director with a net worth of $150 million. He first gained international fame with "Good Will Hunting," which he co-wrote with childhood friend Matt Damon. The duo won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Ben also won a Best Picture Academy Award for "Argo." Over his career, he has earned hundreds of millions in salary, with one of his largest paychecks being $15 million for the 2003 movie "Paycheck."
Major Paydays
Since early in his career, Ben Affleck has commanded significant paychecks. He earned $300,000 for the "Good Will Hunting" screenplay. "Reindeer Games" earned him $6 million, while "Pearl Harbor" brought in $250,000. For "Changing Lanes" and "The Sum of All Fears," he received $10 million each. "Daredevil" and "Gigli" netted him $11.5 million and $12.5 million, respectively.
Dunkin' Donuts Super Bowl Salary
In 2023, Ben appeared in a Dunkin' Donuts Super Bowl commercial, earning $10 million for the 30-second spot that garnered over 7 billion media impressions. Not only did he star in the commercial, but he also helped conceive the concept, and his production company, Artists Equity, produced and directed it.
Early Life
Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt was born on August 15, 1972, in Berkeley, California, to parents Chris and Tim Affleck. His mother was a schoolteacher, and his father was an aspiring playwright who worked various jobs. The family moved to Falmouth, Massachusetts, when he was three years old, where his younger brother, Casey Affleck, was born. The family eventually settled in Cambridge, where his parents later divorced.
Affleck's family was involved in the arts, and Ben and his brother attended theater performances from a young age. His mother encouraged his acting but preferred he pursue a teaching career. At age eight, Ben met Matt Damon. They bonded over their shared love of acting and took classes together.
Early Career
Affleck's first professional acting gig was a local independent film at age seven. Between ages 8-15, he starred in "Voyage of the Mimi" and its sequel. He then appeared in ABC's "Wanted: A Perfect Man" and the television movie "Hands of a Stranger." After graduating in 1990, he took small roles in movies like "Daddy" (1991), "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1992), and "School Ties" (1992).
His large size often got him cast as bullies or jocks, including notable roles in "Against the Grain," "Body to Die For: The Aaron Henry Story," and Richard Linklater's "Dazed and Confused."
"Good Will Hunting"
"Good Will Hunting" was the film that really launched Affleck's career. He co-wrote and acted in it alongside Matt Damon. Initially, the script began as a 40-page assignment for Damon's playwriting class. After developing it into a screenplay, they shopped it to several studios. Although Castle Rock accepted it, the duo moved to Miramax for greater creative control.
The film was released in 1997 to critical acclaim, earning Ben and Matt overnight stardom and better roles in subsequent projects.
(Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Collaboration with Matt Damon
Ben and Matt worked together from a young age, sharing a bank account for acting expenses. In 1998, they founded Pearl Street Films and later LivePlanet, producing the documentary series "Project Greenlight." Today, they co-own Artists Equity, with Ben serving as CEO.
Collaboration with Kevin Smith
Ben has frequently collaborated with director Kevin Smith since 1995, beginning with "Mallrats." He starred in several of Smith's films, including "Chasing Amy," "Dogma," "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," "Clerks II," and "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot."
Kevin Winter/Touchstone Pictures/Getty Images.
A Rising Star
After "Good Will Hunting," Ben chose bigger roles like "Armageddon," "Shakespeare in Love," "Pearl Harbor," and "The Sum of All Fears." While not all were hits, films like "Daredevil" were particularly disappointing.
He played Batman starting in 2016's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and will reprise the role in 2023's "The Flash." He was praised for "The Way Back," a role reflecting his real-life struggles with addiction, and starred as Phil Knight in 2023's "Air."
(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Personal Life
Ben dated Jennifer Lopez from 2002 to 2004, becoming a tabloid sensation. They got engaged but broke up in 2004. He later married Jennifer Garner in 2005, having three children before separating in 2015 and finalizing their divorce in 2018.
Ben has sought treatment for alcoholism multiple times and follows a twelve-step program for his recovery. In July 2022, he married Jennifer Lopez in Las Vegas.
Directing
Ben directed "Gone Baby Gone" in 2007 and followed with "The Town" in 2010. He produced, directed, and starred in the acclaimed movie "Argo" in 2012. In 2023, he directed and produced "Air," marking the first release for Artists Equity.
Awards and Honors
Ben has won Academy Awards for "Best Original Screenplay" ("Good Will Hunting") and "Best Picture" ("Argo"). He has also received BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild awards for these films.
Charity and Philanthropy
Ben supports various causes, including the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Eastern Congo Initiative, the A-T Children's Project, and Feeding America.
Real Estate
In 2009, Ben and Jennifer Garner bought a $17.55 million home in LA's Pacific Palisades, which they sold to Adam Levine for $32 million in 2018. Ben purchased a $19 million mansion in 2018, which he sold for $29.995 million in 2022.
In early 2023, Ben and Jennifer Lopez attempted to buy several properties before reportedly closing on a $61 million Beverly Hills mansion. In July 2024, amid rumors of a split, Ben bought a $20.5 million Palisades mansion near Diane Keaton's estate.
