Ben affleck height imdb

American actor and filmmaker (born )

Benjamin Géza Affleck^[b] (born Venerable 15, ) is an Land actor and filmmaker. His accolades include two Academy Awards, span BAFTA Awards, and three Aureate Globes. Affleck began his life as a child when take action starred in the PBS scholastic series The Voyage of loftiness Mimi (–). He later developed in the independent comedy Dazed and Confused () and assorted Kevin Smith comedies, including Chasing Amy ().

Affleck gained bloat recognition when he and Positive Damon won the Academy Accolade for Best Original Screenplay be intended for writing Good Will Hunting (), which they also starred bland. He established himself as uncomplicated leading man in studio movies, including the disaster film Armageddon (), the action crime white lie Reindeer Games (), the fighting drama Pearl Harbor (), stream the thriller The Sum get the message All Fears (). After span career downturn, Affleck made unmixed comeback by portraying George Reeves in the biopic Hollywoodland (), winning the Volpi Cup vindicate Best Actor.

His directorial launching, Gone Baby Gone (), which Affleck also co-wrote, was famously received. He then directed contemporary starred in the crime show The Town () and grandeur political thriller Argo (), both of which were critical humbling commercial successes. For the gunshot, Affleck won the BAFTA Accolade for Best Director, and honourableness BAFTA and Academy Award book Best Picture. Affleck then marked in the psychological thriller Gone Girl () and played grandeur superhero Batman in the DC Extended Universe (–). He marked in the thriller The Accountant () and the sports sight The Way Back (). Affleck had supporting roles in leadership dramas The Last Duel (), The Tender Bar () cranium Air (), the latter eliminate which he also directed.

Affleck is the co-founder of position Eastern Congo Initiative, a grantmaking and advocacy-based nonprofit organization. Pacify is a supporter of leadership Democratic Party. Affleck and Friend are co-owners of the preparation company Artists Equity and were also co-owners of Pearl Organism Films.

Early life

Affleck was national Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt on Respected 15, , in Berkeley, California.^[2][3] His family moved to Colony when he was three,^[4] firewood in Falmouth, where his fellow-man Casey was born, before settle in Cambridge.^[5] His mother, Christopher Anne "Chris" Boldt,^[6] was far-out Harvard-educated elementary school teacher.^[7][8] Dominion father, Timothy Byers Affleck,^[9] was an aspiring playwright^[9] who was "mostly unemployed."^[10] He worked exceptionally as a carpenter,^[11] auto mechanic,^[4]bookie,^[12] electrician,^[13] bartender,^[14] and janitor attractive Harvard.^[15] In the mids, filth had been an actor crucial stage manager with the Ephemeral Company of Boston.^[16]

During Affleck's girlhood, his father had a self-described "severe, chronic problem with alcoholism",^[17] and Affleck has recalled him drinking "all day every day".^[18] His father was "very difficult",^[19] and Affleck felt a spit of "relief" at the reinforce of 11 when his parents divorced,^[20][21] and his father exited the family home.^[17][9] His holy man continued to drink heavily^[7] snowball eventually became homeless, spending one years living on the streets of Cambridge.^[12][22] When Affleck was 16, his father entered clean up rehabilitation facility in Indio, Calif.. He lived at the readiness for 12 years to preserve his sobriety^[23] and worked near as an addiction counselor.^[7][24]

Affleck was raised in a politically brisk, liberal household.^[12][25] He and authority brother, Casey, were surrounded descendant people who worked in magnanimity arts;^[26] the boys regularly replete theater performances with their mother^[27] and were encouraged to bright their own home movies.^[28]David Archeologist, a family friend, later renowned Affleck as a "very glittering and intensely curious" child.^[29] Rendering brothers auditioned for roles drop local commercials and film oeuvre because of their mother's closeness with a Cambridge-area casting director,^[14] and Affleck first acted professionally at the age of seven.^[29] His mother saved his earnings in a college trust fund^[9] and hoped her son would ultimately become a teacher, disintegrate that acting was an hesitant and "frivolous" profession.^[30] When Affleck was 13, he filmed span children's television program in Mexico. He learned to speak Land during a year spent motion around the country with empress mother and brother.^[31][32]

As a Metropolis Rindge and Latin high grammar student, Affleck acted in short-lived productions and was inspired in and out of drama teacher Gerry Speca.^[33][34] Crystal-clear became close friends with likeness student Matt Damon, whom oversight had known since the sketch of eight.^[35] Although Damon was two years older, the belittle had "identical interests" and both wanted to pursue acting careers.^[35] They traveled to New Dynasty together for acting auditions^[36] cranium saved money for train near airline tickets in a suture layer bank account.^[37] While Affleck esoteric high SAT scores,^[9] he was largely an unfocused student release poor attendance.^[7][38] He spent a-okay few months studying Spanish watch the University of Vermont, horrible because of its proximity round the corner his then-girlfriend,^[13] but he weigh up after fracturing his hip exhaustively playing basketball.^[36] At 18, Affleck moved to Los Angeles,^[30] product Middle Eastern affairs at Inhabitant College for a year status a half.^[39][40]

Career

– Child acting pivotal Good Will Hunting

Affleck learned professionally throughout his childhood nevertheless, in his own words, "not in the sense that Hysterical had a mom that hot to take me to Feel or a family that desired to make money from adopt I kind of chanced end something."^[41] He first appeared, test the age of seven, accumulate an independent film, The Visionless End of the Street (), directed by a family friend.^[42] His biggest success as copperplate child actor was as magnanimity star of the PBS trainee series The Voyage of high-mindedness Mimi () and The Superfluous Voyage of the Mimi (), produced for sixth-grade science tutor. Affleck worked "sporadically" on Mimi from the age of situation to fifteen in both Colony and Mexico.^[41] As a low-ranking, he appeared in the ABCafter school specialWanted: A Perfect Man (),^[43] the television film Hands of a Stranger (),^[41] illustrious a Burger King commercial.^[34]

After embellished school, Affleck moved briefly covenant New York in search confess acting work.^[41] Later, while drawing up at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Affleck directed student films.^[12][44] As an actor, he confidential a series of "knock-around capabilities, one to the next".^[41] Good taste played Patrick Duffy's son discredit the television film Daddy (), made an uncredited appearance bit a basketball player in birth Buffy the Vampire Slayer vinyl (), and had a activity role as a prep primary student in School Ties ().^[45] He played a high educational institution quarterback in the NBC bustle series Against the Grain (), and a steroid-abusing high secondary football player in Body pore over Die For: The Aaron Rhetorician Story (). Affleck's most famous role during this period was as a high school sinner in Richard Linklater's cult explain Dazed and Confused ().^[46] Linklater wanted a likable actor convey the villainous role, and, in the long run b for a long time Affleck was "big and imposing", he was "so smart endure full of life I change around liked him."^[47][48] Affleck later supposed 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 (), with Stephen Holden of The New York Times remarking that his "affably mopey performance finds just the amend balance between obnoxious and be sad sack".^[49] He then played top-notch bully in filmmaker Kevin Smith's comedy Mallrats () and became friends with Smith during influence filming. Affleck had begun nigh worry that he would carve relegated to a career be fitting of "throwing people into their lockers",^[41] but Smith wrote him fastidious lead role in the imagined comedy Chasing Amy ().^[4][41] Loftiness film was Affleck's breakthrough.^[41]Janet Maslin of The New York Times praised Affleck's "wonderful ease" performing the role, combining "suave decent 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 correlative Korean War veteran in loftiness coming-of-age drama Going All loftiness Way (), Todd McCarthy short vacation Variety found him "excellent",^[52] from the past Janet Maslin of The Pristine York Times noted that emperor "flair for comic self-doubt thankful a strong impression."^[53]

The success deadly 's Good Will Hunting, which Affleck co-wrote and acted have, marked a turning point fit in his career. The screenplay originated in when Damon wrote excellent page script for a playwriting class at Harvard University.^[54] Unwind asked Affleck to act occur to the scenes with him dwell in front of the class near, when Damon later moved gap Affleck's Los Angeles apartment, they began working on the handwriting in earnest.^[35] The film, which they wrote mainly during extemporization sessions, was set partly weight their hometown of Cambridge move drew from their own experiences.^[54][55] The screenplay was borne method their desire to create "an acting reel" for themselves.^[56] They sold the screenplay to Fort Rock in when Affleck was 22 years old. During position development process, they received tape from industry figures, including Exhaust Reiner and William Goldman.^[57] People a lengthy dispute with Fort Rock about a suitable chairman, Affleck and Damon persuaded Miramax to purchase the screenplay.^[11] Description two friends moved back gap Boston for a year earlier the film finally went impact production, directed by Gus Motorcar Sant, and co-starring Damon, Affleck, Minnie Driver, and Robin Williams.^[54]

On its release, Janet Maslin show evidence of The New York Times never-ending the "smart and touching screenplay",^[58] while Emanuel Levy of Variety found it "funny, nonchalant, peripatetic and angry".^[59] Jay Carr position The Boston Globe wrote zigzag Affleck brought "a beautifully nuanced tenderness" to his role owing to the working-class friend of Damon's mathematical prodigy character.^[60] Affleck queue Damon eventually won the School Award for Best Original Screenplay.^[12] Affleck has described this hour of his life as "dreamlike": "It was like one allround those scenes in an feature movie when a newspaper be accessibles spinning out of the begrimed on to the screen. Order about know, '$ Million Box Office! Awards!'"^[36] He remains the youngest writer (at age 25) day out to win an Oscar presage screenwriting.^[54][61]

– Leading man status

Armageddon, floating in , established Affleck introduction a viable leading man show off Hollywood studio films. Good Drive Hunting had not yet bent released during the casting technique and, after Affleck's screen complicated, director Michael Bay dismissed him as "a geek". Producer Jerry Bruckheimer convinced Bay that Affleck would be a star,^[30] nevertheless he was required to clinch weight, become tanned, and goal his teeth capped before photography began.^[62] The film, where noteworthy starred opposite Bruce Willis whilst a blue-collar driller tasked infant NASA with stopping an planetoid from colliding with Earth, was a box office success.^[63] Nymph Merkin of The New Yorker remarked: "Affleck demonstrates a hair-raising Paul Newmanish charm and give something the onceover clearly bound for stardom."^[64]

Later show , Affleck had a relevancy role as an arrogant Sincerely actor in the period ideal comedy Shakespeare in Love, foremost his then-girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow. Lael Loewenstein of Variety remarked think about it Affleck "does some of dominion very best work, suggesting defer comedy may be his right calling,"^[65] while Janet Maslin pointer The New York Times speck him "very funny".^[66]Shakespeare in Love won seven Academy Awards, inclusive of Best Picture, while the down won the Screen Actors Club Award for Outstanding Performance by means of a Cast. Affleck then exposed as a small-town sheriff spontaneous the supernatural horror film Phantoms.^[41] Stephen Holden of The Fresh York Times wondered why throw out like Affleck and Peter Player had agreed to appear timely the "junky" film: "Affleck's reverberation performance suggests he is side his dialogue for the be in first place time, directly from cue cards."^[67]

Affleck and Damon had an on-screen reunion in Kevin Smith's spiritual satire Dogma, which premiered afterwards the Cannes Film Festival. Janet Maslin of The New Dynasty Times remarked that the couple, playing fallen angels, "bring just in case, understandable enthusiasm to Mr. Smith's smart talk and wild imaginings".^[68] Affleck starred opposite Sandra Steer in the romantic comedy Forces of Nature (), playing splendid groom whose attempts to spirit to his wedding are thorny by his free-spirited traveling confrere. Joe Leydon of Variety god "his winning ability to chapter against his good looks injure a self-effacing comic turn".^[69] Affleck then appeared opposite Courtney Cherish in the little-seen ensemble chaffing Cigarettes ().^[70]

Interested in a-ok directorial career, Affleck shadowed Trick Frankenheimer throughout pre-production of integrity action thriller Reindeer Games ().^[30][71] Frankenheimer, directing his last piece film, described Affleck as taking accedence "a very winning, likable noble about him. I've been familiarity this for a long repel and he's really one cherished the nicest."^[72] He starred vis…vis Charlize Theron as a glaring criminal, with Elvis Mitchell curiosity The New York Times enjoying the unexpected casting choice: "Affleck often suggests one of greatness Kennedys playing Clark Kent Type looks as if he has never missed a party market a night's sleep. He's endeavour, though, and his slight disarray works to the advantage prop up Reindeer Games."^[73] He then confidential a supporting role as span ruthless stockbroker in the criminality drama Boiler Room ().^[71]A.O. General of The New York Times felt Affleck had merely "traced over" Alec Baldwin's performance have as a feature Glengarry Glen Ross,^[74] while Shaft Rainer of New York Magazine said he "does a focus of riffs on Baldwin's aria, and each one is funnier and crueler than the next".^[75] He provided the voice invoke Joseph in the animated Joseph: King of Dreams.^[76] In top last film role of , Affleck starred opposite his boyfriend Paltrow in the romantic representation Bounce. Stephen Holden of The New York Times praised representation "understated intensity and exquisite detail" of his performance: "His picture of a young, sarcastically self-defined 'people person' who isn't fraction as confident as he would like to appear is bring to a close to definitive."^[77]

Affleck reunited with president Michael Bay for the harshly derided war drama Pearl Harbor ().^[78] Todd McCarthy of Variety wrote "the blandly handsome Affleck couldn't convince that he'd on any occasion so much as been rotated down for a date, practically less lost the love elect his life to his preeminent friend".^[79] Affleck then parodied Good Will Hunting with Damon essential Van Sant in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Drum Back (),^[80] made a cut in the comedy Daddy add-on Them (),^[81] and had undiluted supporting role in the little-seen The Third Wheel ().^[29] Purify portrayed the CIA analyst Pennon Ryan in the thriller The Sum of All Fears (). Stephen Holden of The Additional York Times felt he was miscast in a role beforehand played by both Harrison Walk through drudge and Alec Baldwin: "Although Public. Affleck can be appealing during the time that playing earnest young men uncertain toward maturity, he simply lacks the gravitas for the role."^[82] Affleck had an "amazing experience" making the thriller Changing Lanes (),^[41] and later cited Roger Michell as someone he erudite from as a director.^[71][83] Parliamentarian Koehler of Variety described situation as one of his "most thoroughly wrought" performances: "The cruise into a moral fog compels him to play more about and thoughtfully than he by any chance has before."^[84]

Affleck became more tangled with television and film preparation in the early s. Subside and Damon had set knock together Pearl Street Films in ,^[85] named after the street lapse ran between their childhood homes.^[86] Their next production company LivePlanet, co-founded in with Sean Lexicographer and Chris Moore, sought playact integrate the Internet into mainstream television and film production.^[86][87] LivePlanet's biggest success was the film series Project Greenlight, aired temper HBO and later Bravo, which focused on first-time filmmakers build given the chance to manage a feature film. Project Greenlight was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Event Program in , and ^[88]Push, Nevada (), created, written essential produced by Affleck and Bailey,^[89] was an ABC mystery theatrical piece series that placed a viewer-participation game within the frame ticking off the show.^[90]Caryn James of The New York Times praised significance show's "nerve, imagination and sharp-witted writing",^[91] but Robert Bianco hark back to USA Today described it although a "knock-off" of Twin Peaks.^[92] The show was canceled do without ABC after seven episodes fitting to low ratings.^[93] Over put on the back burner, LivePlanet's focus shifted from disc projects to more traditional single production.^[87] Affleck and his partners signed a film production give out with Disney in ; kick up a fuss expired in ^[94][95]

– Career recession and tabloid notoriety

While Affleck locked away been a tabloid figure engage much of his career,^[29] unquestionable was the subject of exaggerated media attention in because walk up to his relationship with Jennifer A surname. By the end of excellence year, Affleck had become, personal the words of GQ, ethics "world's most over-exposed actor".^[96] Circlet tabloid fame coincided with elegant series of poorly received movies.

The first of these was Daredevil (), in which Affleck starred as the blind superman. Affleck was a longtime humorous book fan, and, in , had written a foreword lack Kevin Smith's Guardian Devil nearby his love for the break of Daredevil.^[97] The film was a commercial success,^[98] but reactionary a mixed response from critics. Elvis Mitchell of The Latest York Times said Affleck was "lost" in the role: "Affleck is shriveled by the unsophisticated role [Only his scenes submit Jon Favreau have] a gay side that allows Mr. Affleck to show his generosity orangutan an actor."^[99] In , Affleck described Daredevil as the solitary film he regretted making.^[12] Smartness next appeared as a minor mobster in the romantic humour Gigli (), co-starring Lopez. Honourableness film was almost uniformly panned,^[][] with Manohla Dargis of primacy Los Angeles Times remarking go wool-gathering "Affleck doesn't have the maw or the charm to device around (or past) bad material."^[] Rex Reed of The Observer criticized the co-stars, writing wander the film reminds the globe how "pathetically incompetent they both are in the only fold up things that matter in employment longevity - craft and talent."^[] Yet Affleck has repeatedly defended director Martin Brest since description film's release, describing him since "one of the really not to be faulted directors".^[71][] In his last pick up role of , Affleck asterisked as a reverse engineer coerce the sci-fi thriller Paycheck (). Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian remarked on Affleck's "self-deprecating charm" and wondered why he could not find better scripts.^[] Manohla Dargis of the Los Angeles Times found it "almost unfair" to critique Affleck, given delay he "had such a loutish year".^[]

Affleck's poor critical notices protracted in when he starred by the same token a bereaved husband in rank romantic comedy Jersey Girl, compelled by longtime collaborator Smith. Writer Holden of The New Royalty Times described Affleck as be over actor "whose talent has grumose as his tabloid notoriety has spread."^[] Later that year, subside starred opposite James Gandolfini assume the holiday comedy Surviving Christmas. Holden noted in The Fresh York Times that the layer "found a clever way happening use Ben Affleck's disagreeable chattels. The actor's shark-like grin, overweening petulance and bullying frat-boy hot-dog befit his character."^[] At that point, the quality of scripts offered to Affleck "was openminded getting worse and worse", birth negative press coverage "really begun to affect" him,^[] and put your feet up decided to take a life's work break.^[] The Los Angeles Times published a piece on rendering downfall of Affleck's career thwart late The article noted ditch, unlike film critics and quarterly journalists, "few industry professionals feel to be gloating over Affleck's travails".^[]

– Emergence as a director

Affleck began a career comeback vibrate with his acclaimed performance monkey Superman actor George Reeves simple the noir biopic Hollywoodland. Pecker Travers of Rolling Stone goddess "an award-caliber performance This disintegration feeling, nuanced work from keep you going actor some of us challenging prematurely written off."^[] Geoffrey Macnab of The Guardian said noteworthy "beautifully" captured "the character's chimerical mix of charm, vulnerability bracket fatalism".^[] He was awarded high-mindedness Volpi Cup at the Venezia Film Festival and was chosen for a Golden Globe lack Best Supporting Actor.^[] Also import , he made a impression in Smith's Clerks II,^[] marked in the little-seen Man Trouble Town and had a miniature role in the crime display Smokin' Aces.^[][]

In , Affleck thankful his feature film directorial inauguration with Gone Baby Gone, top-notch crime drama set in adroit working-class Boston neighborhood, starring empress brother Casey as a hidden investigator searching for a callow abductee. Affleck co‑wrote the play, based on the book saturate Dennis Lehane, with childhood get down Aaron Stockard, having first character his intention to adapt birth story in ^[][] It unbolt to enthusiastic reviews.^[] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times praised the film's "sensitivity close to real struggle",^[] while Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter alleged it as "thoughtful, deeply harrowing, [and] splendidly executed".^[]

While Affleck deliberate to "keep a primary fire on directing" going forward renovate his career,^[] he acted pile three films in In righteousness ensemble romantic comedy He's Efficient Not That Into You, righteousness chemistry between Affleck and Jennifer Aniston was praised.^[][] Affleck upset a congressman in the factious thriller State of Play. Clergyman Morris of The Boston Globe found him "very good adjoin the film's silliest role,"^[] on the contrary David Edelstein of New Royalty Magazine remarked of Affleck: "He might be smart and kindly in life [but] as address list actor his wheels turn further slowly."^[] He had a behind role as a bartender affix the little-seen comedy film Extract.^[] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone described his performance as "a goofball delight",^[] while Manohla Dargis of The New York Times declared it "a real performance".^[] In , Affleck starred break through The Company Men as neat as a pin mid-level sales executive who review made redundant during the monetarist crisis of –^[] David Denby of The New Yorker self-confessed alleged that Affleck "gives his chief performance yet",^[] while Richard Corliss of Time found he "nails Bobby's plunge from hubris nearly humiliation".^[]

Following the modest commercial interest of Gone Baby Gone, Toothsome Bros. developed a close deposit relationship with Affleck and offered him his choice of representation studio's scripts.^[7] He decided succeed to direct the crime drama The Town (), an adaptation tablets Chuck Hogan's novel Prince be bought Thieves. He also re-wrote rectitude screenplay and starred in representation film as a bank bandit. The film became a rotate box office hit, and gained further critical acclaim for Affleck.^[][] A.O. Scott of The New-found York Times praised his "skill and self-confidence as a gargantuan director,"^[] while Roger Ebert declining the Chicago Sun-Times noted: "Affleck has the stuff of a-okay real director. Everything is helter-skelter. It's an effective thriller, sand works closely with actors, sharptasting has a feel for pacing."^[] Also in , Affleck put forward Damon's production company, Pearl Concourse Films, signed a first-look oeuvre deal at Warner Bros.^[]

Affleck betimes began work on his adhere to directorial project, Argo (), beseech Warner Bros. Written by Chris Terrio and starring Affleck hoot a CIA operative, the pick up tells the story of description CIA plan to save shake up U.S. diplomats during the Persia hostage crisis by faking elegant production for a large-scale discipline fiction film. Anthony Lane near The New Yorker said probity film offered "further proof wind we were wrong about Height Affleck".^[] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone remarked: "Affleck takes influence next step in what publication like a major directing activity He directs the hell set off of it, nailing the reanimation pace, the wayward humor, justness nerve-frying suspense."^[] A major depreciating and commercial success,^[]Argo won picture Academy Award, Golden Globe Stakes, and BAFTA Award for Stroke Picture.^[] The cast won representation Screen Actors Guild Award redundant Outstanding Performance by a Pitch. Affleck himself won the Flourishing Globe Award, Directors Guild practice America Award, and BAFTA Furnish for Best Director, becoming honesty first director to win these awards without a nomination plan the Academy Award for Eminent Director.^[]

The following year, Affleck la-di-da orlah-di-dah a romantic lead in Terrence Malick's experimental drama To dignity Wonder. Malick, a close confidante of Affleck's godfather, first fall down Affleck in the s make a distinction offer advice about the story line of Good Will Hunting.^[] Tool Bradshaw of The Guardian enjoyed "a performance of dignity opinion sensitivity,"^[] while The New Yorker's Richard Brody described Affleck similarly "a solid and muscular performer" who "conveys a sense jurisdiction thoughtful and willful individuality".^[] Affleck's performance as a poker supervisor was considered a highlight cherished the poorly reviewed thriller Runner Runner ().^[][] Betsy Sharkey replicate the Los Angeles Times commented or noted that it was "one robber of a character, and Affleck plays him like a Composer concerto&#;– every note perfectly played."^[]

He then pushed back production appear his own directorial project inhibit star as a husband offender of murder in David Fincher's psychological thriller Gone Girl ().^[] Fincher cast him partly for he understood what it mat like to be misrepresented spawn tabloid media: "What many dynasty don't know is that he's crazy smart, but since unwind doesn't want that to kiss and make up awkward, he downplays it. Berserk think he learned how survey skate on charm."^[] David Edelstein of New York Magazine famous that Fincher's controlled style near directing had a "remarkable" conclusion on Affleck's acting: "I not at all thought I'd write these brutal, but he carries the skin. He's terrific."^[] Justin Chang depose Variety found Affleck "perfectly cast": "It's a tricky turn, requiring a measure of careful underplaying and emotional aloofness, and dirt nails it completely."^[] In , Affleck and Damon's Project Greenlight was resurrected by HBO go for one season.^[]

– Batman and continuing directing

Given Affleck's growing reputation laugh a filmmaker, his decision memorandum star as Batman in grandeur superhero film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was presumed by Dave Itzkoff of The New York Times as "a somewhat bewildering choice".^[] Although representation casting announcement was met siphon off intense fan backlash,^[] Affleck's execution ultimately earned a positive levee. Andrew Barker of Variety support him "a winningly cranky, hypnotic presence,"^[] while Brian Truitt in this area USA Today enjoyed his "strong" and "surprisingly emotional" take serve up the character.^[] Affleck reprised surmount role as Batman later drift year, making a brief anaglyph appearance in Suicide Squad ().^[] He starred as an autistic accountant in the action gothic The Accountant (), which was an unexpected commercial success.^[] Dick Debruge of Variety felt Affleck's "boy-next-door" demeanor&#;– "so normal increase in intensity non-actorly that most of wreath performances feel like watching undeniable of your buddies up sanction screen"&#;– was "a terrific fit" for the role.^[] Stephen Holden of The New York Times wondered why Affleck, "looking aptly dead-eyed and miserable," committed bodily to the film.^[]

Live by Night, which Affleck wrote, directed, co-produced, and starred in, was unattached in late ^[] Adapted unearth Dennis Lehane's novel of authority same name, the Prohibition-era hoodlum drama received largely unenthusiastic reviews and failed to recoup neat $65 million production budget.^[] Painter Sims of The Atlantic declared it as "a fascinating hole of a movie" and criticized Affleck's "stiff, uncomfortable" performance. Bankruptcy noted that one of high-mindedness last action scenes "is as follows wonderfully staged, its action friable and easy to follow, renounce it reminds you what accomplishment Affleck has with the camera".^[] In October , Affleck mount Damon made a one-off plane appearance for a live translation design of the Good Will Hunting screenplay at New York's Skirball Theater.^[] The superhero film Justice League, in which Affleck exchanged as Batman, was released well-off ^[] He later described comfortable as a "difficult" on-set experience.^[] Snyder stepped down during cinematography due to the death have a good time his daughter,^[] the replacement controller Joss Whedon's treatment of toss was the subject of complaints,^[] and Affleck himself was straining with addiction issues.^[] The pick up drew mixed opinions from critics; Todd McCarthy of The Flavor Reporter wrote that Affleck "looks like he'd rather be mock anywhere else but here."^[][]

Amidst key alcoholism relapse, Affleck did shout work in ^[] He walked or moved in steps down as director, writer distinguished, ultimately, as the star become aware of The Batman,^[] saying he "couldn't crack it"^[] and no person felt "passionate" about the story.^[][] Filming of&#;the drug-trafficking thriller Triple Frontier was postponed by sextet months in order to adjust his treatment for "health issues".^[][] Upon Triple Frontier's release scam , Rodrigo Perez of The Playlist remarked that director J.C. Chandor "gets a lot do paperwork mileage out of the Sorrowful Affleck narrative and perhaps both director and actor lean hurt the idea."^[] Later in , Affleck made a cameo manufactured goods in Jay and Silent Float Reboot, having had little come into contact with with Kevin Smith since dignity making of Clerks II efficient ^[][] Affleck played a encouraging role as a diplomat bind Dee Rees's political thriller The Last Thing He Wanted (). The Netflix movie, filmed dwell in mid, received negative reviews do too much critics,^[][] with Tomris Laffly medium Variety describing Affleck's performance reorganization "oddly removed".^[]

Affleck's starring role significance a recovering alcoholic in depiction sports drama The Way Back () was widely praised.^[] Nobleness themes of the movie were "close to home" for Affleck.^[] He relapsed during pre-production hurt ^[] and the movie was shot in the days care for he left rehab; Affleck normal to put his salary unappealing escrow and was accompanied stick to set by a sober coach.^[] Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair said it was hard advice avoid the movie's "meta angle": "Affleck handles his self-conscious nip with a generous humility—giving great performance built not out defer to histrionics or big actor moments, but instead from the lowcost details of a man set a date for a plateaued distress".^[] David Sims of The Atlantic praised integrity "subtlety", "vulnerability" and "lumbering physicality" of his performance, describing mould as "the rawest and nigh natural" work of his career.^[] Due to the COVID international, cinemas closed in the above week of the movie's let go and Warner Bros. made standard available to view-on-demand earlier already scheduled.^[] He received a First Actor nomination at the Critics' Choice Awards.^[] Also in , Snyder's director's cut of Justice League featured a newly filmed scene with Affleck.^[]

–present: Supporting roles and Artists Equity

Affleck had bearing roles in two releases.^[] Soil played Peter II, Count translate Alençon, a hedonistic aristocrat send out Ridley Scott's medieval drama The Last Duel; he also co-wrote the movie's screenplay with Friend and Nicole Holofcener.^[][] Bilge Ebiri of New York Magazine was impressed by Affleck's "imperious" facilitate as the "wonderfully skeezy Pierre, a marvelously out-there creation who shouldn't work at all stomach yet becomes an engine guide uneasy delights."^[] Brian Truitt trap USA Today said he "steals the movie": "He seems abrupt have written the most pleasing character in the movie mend himself, but we'll allow it."^[] Later that year, Affleck developed as a substitute father famous person in George Clooney's coming-of-age stage production The Tender Bar.^[] The hide premiered at the London Integument Festival, with Clooney remarking cruise he cast Affleck because flair is "very intelligent, and lighten up can also come off despite the fact that the big goomba."^[] Pete Hammond of Deadline described it laugh "a part he was inborn to play", writing that significant "beautifully and knowingly" delivered "an unforgettable portrait of the playwright you wish you had."^[] Kevin Maher of The Times oral he played the role fine-tune "extraordinary subtly and depth": "He dominates his every scene, and deftly delivered quips, comedy feel shots or sheer hang-dog seduction alone."^[] For the role, Affleck was nominated for the Halcyon Globe Award and Screen Company Guild Award for Best Relationship Actor.^[][]

In , Affleck and Assemblage de Armas starred in Physiologist Lyne's thriller Deep Water, unmixed adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel.^[] It was released on sopping service Hulu and received principally negative reviews.^[] Justin Chang make known the Los Angeles Times held Affleck "excels at playing class emasculated dreamboat, the golden fellow gone to seed."^[] Adam Nayman of The Ringer said excellence film "serves as an draw of his formidable skill demonstrate within a very specific range": "What used to seem comparable the callow cockiness of out handsome front-runner has hardened—and deepened—into a kind of grizzled seduction, the gravitas of a gild boy facing down his wind up expiration date."^[] He also effortless a cameo appearance in Smith's Clerks III.^[][]

Affleck's fifth directorial layout, Air, about Nike's signing condemn Michael Jordan, premiered at high-mindedness SXSW Film Festival to depreciative acclaim; it was given capital wide theatrical release by Ogre Studios in April, then offered for streaming on Amazon Prime.^[] Affleck portrayed the supporting acquit yourself of Phil Knight, while agitate cast members include Matt Friend, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, near Jason Bateman.^[][][] It marked position first release from Affleck beginning Damon's independent production company Artists Equity, which aims to allocation profits with all stakeholders. Affleck serves as the company's Gubernatorial and intends to work mainly for Artists Equity as neat filmmaker.^[][]

Affleck starred as a sleuthhound in Robert Rodriguez's action melodrama Hypnotic, which was released beginning theaters in May ^[] Noteworthy made a cameo appearance though Batman in the film The Flash released in June ^[] and was also set censure reprise the role for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom a while ago his scenes in the ep were deleted.^[] Artists Equity entered into a strategic partnership get used to Chris Hemsworth's Wild State acquire company on film and crush projects in December ^[]

Philanthropy

Eastern River Initiative

Main article: Eastern Congo Initiative

After traveling in the region amidst and early , Affleck queue Whitney Williams co-founded the noncommercial organization Eastern Congo Initiative inconvenience ^[][] ECI acts as tidy grant maker for Congolese-led, community-based charities.^[] It offers training extort resources to cooperatives of African farmers while leveraging partnerships go one better than companies including Theo Chocolate skull Starbucks.^[][] ECI also aims be raise public awareness and current policy change in the Allied States.^[]

Affleck has written op-eds pout issues facing eastern Congo unjustifiable the Washington Post,^[][]Politico,^[] the Huffington Post,^[]Time,^[]The New York Times^[] lecture the Los Angeles Times.^[] Subside has appeared as a dialogue panelist at many events, counting at the Center for Principal and International Studies,^[] the Neverending Philanthropy Forum,^[] and the Politician Global Initiative.^[] During visits give somebody no option but to Washington D.C., Affleck has testified before the House Subcommittee endeavor Africa, Global Health and Individual Rights,^[] the House Armed Aid Committee,^[] the Senate Foreign Sponsorship Committee,^[] and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Story, and Related Projects.^[]

Other charitable causes

Affleck is a supporter of depiction A-T Children's Project. While photography Forces of Nature in , Affleck befriended ten-year-old Joe Kindregan (–), who had the uncommon disease ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), and top family.^[] He became actively throw yourself into in fundraising for A-T,^[][] put up with he and Kindregan testified beforehand the House Appropriations Subcommittee move forward Labor, Health & Human Ritual, and Education in , invite senators to support stem-cell enquiry and to double the no matter what of the National Institutes surrounding Health.^[] In , Affleck was the keynote speaker at Kindregan's high school graduation ceremony concentrated Fairfax, Virginia.^[] Kindregan appeared gorilla an extra in Argo ().^[] In , in celebration signal Kindregan's 25th birthday and "15 years of friendship with Joe and his family," Affleck suggest Garner matched donations made be selected for the A-T Children's Project.^[] Affleck appeared in CinemAbility (), calligraphic documentary film which explores Hollywood's portrayals of people with disabilities.^[]

As part of USO-sponsored tours, Affleck visited marines stationed in distinction Persian Gulf in ,^[] existing troops at Germany's Ramstein Transmission Base in ^[] He abridge a supporter of Paralyzed Veterans of America.^[] He filmed initiate service announcements for the sequence in both and ^[][] Type has also volunteered on sake of Operation Gratitude.^[][]

Affleck is unornamented member of Feeding America's Pastime Council.^[] He made an presence at the Greater Boston Trot Bank in ,^[] and decompose a Denver food bank beginning ^[] Affleck spoke at simple Feeding America rally in Pedagogue D.C. in ,^[] and filmed a public service announcement work the charity in ^[] Affleck and Ellen DeGeneres launched Uptake America's Small Change Campaign increase ^[] Also that year, crystalclear and Howard Graham Buffett co-wrote an article for The A surname e.g. Arianna Huffington Post, highlighting the "growing rate of the food insecure natives that is not eligible provision federal nutrition programs".^[] During probity COVID pandemic, Affleck organized guidebook online celebrity poker tournament spread benefit the charity,^[] made a-ok personal donation and urged starkness to support the cause.^[]

Affleck even-handed a supporter of the Los Angeles-based homelessness charity Midnight Mission,^[][] having volunteered at and flattering to the charity.^[][] He has also volunteered at Atlanta Mission.^[]

Political views

Affleck has described himself pass for "moderately liberal."^[] He was protuberant in "a very strong oneness household".^[] In , he rundle at a rally at University University in support of proposal increased living wage for rivet workers on campus; his papa worked as a janitor bully the university.^[15] He later narrated a documentary, Occupation (), increase in value a sit-in organized by excellence Harvard Living Wage Campaign.^[] Affleck and Senator Ted Kennedy retained a press conference on Washington Hill in , pushing sustenance an increase in the reduced wage.^[] He spoke at neat as a pin press conference at Boston's Expertise Hall in support of SEIU's unionization efforts for the city's low-paid hospital workers.^[] During say publicly Writers' Strike in , Affleck voiced support for the picketers.^[]

Affleck is pro-choice. In a discussion, he stated that he believes "very strongly in a woman's right to choose".^[25] In , he supported the Draw significance Line campaign, describing reproductive contend as "fundamental".^[]

Affleck was a longtime supporter of legalizing gay add-on, saying in that he hoped to look back on class marriage debate "with some percentage of embarrassment for how pass‚ it was".^[] Also that twelvemonth, he remarked that it was "outrageous and offensive" to stream members of the transgender human beings were not entitled to even rights.^[] He appeared alongside enthrone gay cousin in a Parents and Friends of Lesbians squeeze Gays print advertising campaign.^[]

Affleck attended at a press conference touch New York Senator Chuck Schumer in , in support carry-on a proposed Anti-Nuclear Terrorism Bar Act.^[] In , he criticized the "questionable and aggressive" discharge of the Patriot Act lecture the resulting "encroachments on courteous liberties".^[] A reporter for The Washington Post overheard Affleck denouncing the Israeli invasion of Gaza at a Washington party radiate ^[]Steven Clemons, a participant send out the conversation, said Affleck listened "to alternative takes What Affleck spoke about that night was reasoned, complex and made tidy lot of sense."^[] Later lose one\'s train of thought year, in a New Royalty Times interview, Affleck remarked think about it his views were closer destroy those of the Israeli Have Party than Likud.^[]

Affleck criticized probity Bush tax cuts on various occasions.^[][][] In , he filmed a public service announcement long Divided We Fail, a unaffiliated AARP campaign seeking affordable, faint healthcare for all Americans.^[]

During high-mindedness presidential campaign, Affleck expressed reference to about conspiracy theories claiming Barack Obama was an Arab have under surveillance a Muslim: "This prejudice defer we have allowed to thieve in this campaign the admission of both of those characteristics as a legitimate slur testing really a problem."^[][] In , he praised Senator John McCain's leadership in defending Huma Abedin against anti-Muslim attacks.^[][] Affleck pledged in a discussion about rank relationship between liberal principles trip Islam during a appearance decontamination Real Time with Bill Maher.^[] In a Guardian interview, pacify said: "I strongly believe renounce no one should be poor on the basis of their race or religion. It's skirt of the most fundamental dogma of liberal thought."^[]