Ben Affleck Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Ben Affleck’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $150 million, Ben Affleck is recognized as an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director. His rise to international fame can be traced back to “Good Will Hunting,” a film he co-wrote alongside childhood friend Matt Damon, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Affleck also garnered a Best Picture Academy Award for his work in “Argo.” Throughout his career, he has made hundreds of millions from his acting endeavors. Notably, one of his largest salary earnings—$15 million—came from the 2003 film “Paycheck,” excluding backend bonuses.

Major Paydays

Since the beginning of his career, Ben Affleck has commanded substantial paychecks as a leading man. For the sale of the “Good Will Hunting” screenplay, he and Matt Damon each earned $300,000. The film “Reindeer Games” netted him $6 million, while he made only $250,000 for “Pearl Harbor.” For both “Changing Lanes” and “The Sum of All Fears,” he earned $10 million per film. Despite their lack of success, he received $11.5 million for “Daredevil” and $12.5 million for “Gigli.”

Dunkin Donuts Super Bowl Salary

In 2023, Ben’s appearance in a Dunkin’ Donuts Super Bowl commercial became well-known. He earned $10 million for the 30-second advertisement, which generated over 7 billion media impressions and led to the highest single-day sales in company history the day after the Super Bowl. Moreover, Affleck not only starred in the ad but also contributed to its concept, with the production company he co-founded with Matt Damon, Artists Equity, handling the production and direction of the commercial.

Early Life

Born on August 15, 1972, in Berkeley, California, Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt’s parents are Chris and Tim Affleck. His mother worked as a schoolteacher, while his father, an aspiring playwright, juggled numerous jobs like electrician, janitor, carpenter, and bookie. When Ben was three, the family relocated to Falmouth, Massachusetts, where his younger brother, Casey Affleck, was later born. They eventually settled in Cambridge, where his parents would divorce.

In Cambridge, the Affleck family deeply engaged with the arts. Ben and his brother started attending theater performances early on and mingled with artistic professionals. Although his mother was supportive of Ben’s acting, she never forced him into it; her wish was for him to follow a teaching career.

At eight years old, Ben met Matt Damon, who was two years his senior. They quickly became friends and have remained lifelong companions, taking acting classes together and eventually beginning their Hollywood journeys side by side.

Early Career

Ben’s first experience in professional acting occurred at age seven in a local independent film. Throughout ages 8 to 15, he starred in the PBS children’s series “Voyage of the Mimi” and its sequel, spending time in both Cambridge and Mexico. Eventually, he appeared in the ABC special “Wanted: A Perfect Man” and the TV movie “Hands of a Stranger” at ages 14 and 15, respectively.

After finishing school at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in 1990, Ben took on minor roles in films such as Daddy (1991), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), and School Ties (1992). His physicality often led him to be cast as a bully or jock. He showcased his portrayal of a football player in both NBC’s “Against the Grain” and the HBO film “Body to Die For: The Aaron Henry Story.” Notable was his role as a high school bully in the famous Richard Linklater film “Dazed and Confused,” as well as a supporting role in the 1995 drama “School Ties.”

Good Will Hunting

The breakthrough moment for Affleck came with “Good Will Hunting,” a film he co-authored and starred in alongside his close friend Matt Damon. The screenplay originated as a 40-page assignment in Damon’s playwriting course at Harvard University, and over time, they expanded it into a full screenplay while living together in Los Angeles. Frustrated with their small roles until then, they sought a project where they could assert creative control.

They presented their finished script to their agent, who pitched it to several studios. Although Castle Rock accepted it in 1994, they hesitated to provide them with the creative control they sought. In contrast, Miramax afforded them more freedom to realize their vision.

Upon its 1997 release, “Good Will Hunting” garnered extensive critical acclaim for both its screenplay and performances. Affleck and Damon quickly became stars, opening doors to larger roles thanks to their impressive work in the film.

Collaboration with Matt Damon

Childhoodfriends Ben and Matt recognized their aspiration to become actors from a young age, leading them to collaborate on realizing that ambition. At the beginning of their careers in the industry, they maintained a joint bank account, depositing all income from their acting endeavors. This fund was utilized for train or plane fares necessary for attending auditions.

In 1998, the duo established a production entity named Pearl Street Films. Subsequently, they created another production company called LivePlanet, with the highlight of LivePlanet being the documentary TV series “Project Greenlight.” This series aimed to offer budding filmmakers a platform to direct their debut feature films. Currently, they co-own Artists Equity, their independent production venture that focuses on profit-sharing with all participants. Affleck acts as CEO and is committed to working solely with this company as a filmmaker.

Collaboration with Kevin Smith

Affleck has frequently collaborated with director Kevin Smith. Their camaraderie began in 1995 when Ben took on a supporting role in Smith’s film “Mallrats.” Smith later crafted a lead role for Affleck in his subsequent project, “Chasing Amy.” Since then, Ben has featured in every film within Kevin Smith’s View Askewniverse, including titles like “Dogma,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Clerks II,” and “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.”

A Rising Star

After the triumph of “Good Will Hunting,” Affleck gained the chance to select more substantial roles. One of his early significant successes was in “Armageddon,” where he portrayed a blue-collar worker tasked with preventing an asteroid from colliding with Earth. The film garnered massive box office success, solidifying Ben’s reputation as an emerging leading actor.

Further successful films followed, including “Shakespeare in Love,” “Pearl Harbor,” “The Sum of All Fears,” and “Changing Lanes.” However, not all were hits; several of Affleck’s projects failed to perform well at the box office. Notably, “Daredevil” (2003) was a letdown, which Affleck later expressed regret over making.

Starting with 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Affleck took on the role of Batman and is expected to make a cameo in 2023’s “The Flash.” His portrayal of a recovering alcoholic in the 2020 sports drama “The Way Back” received widespread acclaim, resonating personally with him as he relapsed during the film’s pre-production in 2018, and filming occurred shortly after his rehab stay. A sober coach accompanied him on set. Additionally, Ben Affleck portrayed Phil Knight in the 2023 film “Air.”

Personal Life

Affleck has been associated romantically with numerous prominent figures in Hollywood. He famously had a relationship with singer Jennifer Lopez from 2002 to 2004, becoming a tabloid sensation just overnight. The media was captivated by “Bennifer,” relentlessly following the couple’s every move. While both had previously seen their names in the tabloids, Ben was not accustomed to being under such scrutinized public attention. They became engaged in 2002, but their planned 2003 wedding was postponed due to overwhelming media coverage. They ultimately separated the following year.

In 2005, Ben married Jennifer Garner, and they had three children together. Their separation was made public in 2015, with their divorce finalized in late 2018.

Affleck sought residential therapy for alcoholism in 2001, returning again in 2017 and 2018. He faced a public slip in 2019 after a year of sobriety but resolved to keep his journey on track. He participates in a twelve-step program while continuing to manage his anxiety and depression.

In July 2022, Ben and Jennifer Lopez tied the knot in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, she filed for divorce in August 2024.

Directing

From early in his career, Ben developed an interest in directing, absorbing knowledge from various directors he collaborated with. His directorial debut occurred in 2007 with “Gone Baby Gone.” He then wrote, produced, and directed “The Town” (2010). Achieving significant commercial and critical acclaim, he produced, directed, and starred in “Argo” (2012). Additionally, in the 2023 film “Air,” where he portrayed Phil Knight, Ben directed and produced the project, marking the first release from the production company they established with Damon, Artists Equity.

Awards and Honors

Affleck’s accolades include Academy Awards for “Good Will Hunting” (best original screenplay, shared with Matt Damon) and “Argo” (best picture). His awards collection also features several BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild awards, primarily for these two films.

Charity and Philanthropy

Ben Affleck has actively supported numerous noble causes, such as the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Eastern Congo Initiative, the A-T Children’s Project, and Feeding America.

Real Estate

In 2009, Jen and Ben acquired a home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of LA for $17.55 million from producer Brian Grazer. Jennifer continued residing there until late 2018, when Ben and Jen sold the mansion to Maroon 5’s Adam Levine for $32 million:

After residing in that property for three years, Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo listed it for $57.5 million. Meanwhile, Jennifer purchased a new property in Los Angeles’s Brentwood Park neighborhood for $8 million that same month.

In April 2018, Ben invested in a $19 million mansion in the Pacific Palisades. This sprawling residence of 13,450 square feet, constructed in 2017, features seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, including an expansive lawn and pool area in the backyard. Ben placed this home on the market for $29.995 million in August 2022 and sold it within two weeks at the asking price.

By early 2023, Affleck and Lopez withdrew from escrow on a $64 million mansion in Pacific Palisades and allegedly…backed out of a $34 million Hamptons-style property situated in the same neighborhood. The previous year, they had reportedly made an offer on a $50 million mansion in Bel-Air, only to reverse their decision later. In June 2023, it was reported that the couple finalized a deal on a $61 million home in Beverly Hills. In July 2024, amidst speculation regarding their separation, Ben purchased his own Palisades mansion for $20.5 million. To acquire the property, which is adjacent to Diane Keaton’s long-time estate, he secured a $10 million mortgage for the purchase.