Ben Affleck Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Ben Affleck’s Net Worth?

Ben Affleck, recognized as an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director, boasts a net worth of $150 million. He gained international acclaim from the film “Good Will Hunting,” which he co-wrote alongside his childhood friend Matt Damon. This project earned them the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Ben further won an Academy Award for Best Picture with “Argo.” Throughout his career, he has accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars in salary, notably landing one of his most significant acting paychecks – $15 million from the 2003 film “Paycheck” before bonuses.

Major Paydays

Since the start of his career, Ben Affleck has consistently commanded substantial paychecks as a leading man. For the sale of the “Good Will Hunting” screenplay, he and Matt Damon each received $300,000. “Reindeer Games” brought him $6 million, while “Pearl Harbor” paid only $250,000. Both “Changing Lanes” and “The Sum of All Fears” resulted in earnings of $10 million each. Despite the lack of success for “Daredevil” and “Gigli,” Affleck still earned $11.5 million and $12.5 million, respectively, from those films.

Dunkin Donuts Super Bowl Salary

In a famous 2023 Super Bowl commercial for Dunkin’ Donuts, Ben Affleck featured prominently, receiving $10 million for the 30-second spot. The ad registered over 7 billion media impressions and contributed to the company achieving its highest single-day sales on the day following the Super Bowl. Beyond acting in the commercial, Affleck was instrumental in developing the concept, and the production company he co-founded with Matt Damon, Artists Equity, produced and directed the ad.

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 was an aspiring playwright juggling various jobs, including as an electrician, janitor, carpenter, and bookie. At the age of three, Ben and his family relocated to Falmouth, Massachusetts, where his younger brother, Casey Affleck, was born. They eventually settled in Cambridge, where his parents later divorced.

In Cambridge, Ben’s family was deeply engaged in the arts. From a young age, he and his brother frequently attended theater performances and mingled with individuals involved in the arts community. Ben’s mother befriended a local casting agent who organized auditions for both of her sons. Although Ben was encouraged to pursue acting, she never pressured him into making it his career and instead hoped he would become a teacher.

At eight years old, Ben Affleck met Matt Damon, who was two years his senior. The two hit it off right away and formed a lifelong friendship. Together, they took acting classes and subsequently embarked on their Hollywood careers.

Early Career

Ben’s first professional acting role, which was in a local independent film, came about when he was just seven years old. Between the ages of 8 and 15, he starred in PBS children’s shows such as “Voyage of the Mimi” and “Second Voyage of the Mimi,” working in both Cambridge and Mexico. He later appeared in the ABC after-school special “Wanted: A Perfect Man” as well as in a television movie.

at the ages of 14 and 15, respectively, starred in “Hands of a Stranger.”

Upon completing his studies at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in 1990, Ben took on minor roles in various films such as Daddy (1991), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), and School Ties (1992). Due to his imposing stature, he frequently found himself cast as a jock or bully. He played the role of a football player in both the NBC series “Against the Grain” and the HBO drama “Body to Die For: The Aaron Henry Story.” In the now-classic Richard Linklater film “Dazed and Confused,” he was also featured as a high school bully. Additionally, he contributed to the 1995 drama “School Ties” in a supporting role.

Good Will Hunting

The film that truly propelled Affleck’s career forward was “Good Will Hunting,” which he co-wrote and starred in alongside his close friend Matt Damon. Initially, the script began as a 40-page project for Damon’s playwriting class at Harvard University; later, while sharing an apartment in Los Angeles, they collaborated to develop it into a full screenplay. Frustrated by the limited background and supporting roles they had previously received, they aimed to create a project where they could exercise significant creative control.

The finished script was presented to their agent, who pitched it to various studios. In 1994, Castle Rock accepted the screenplay but was not open to granting Ben and Matt the level of creative freedom they sought. Consequently, they took the screenplay to Miramax, where they gained more creative latitude.

Released in 1997, “Good Will Hunting” was met with widespread critical praise for both its screenplay and performances. As a result of their noteworthy performances in the film, Affleck and Damon quickly became household names and found themselves cast in more substantial roles.

Collaboration with Matt Damon

Ben and Matt, who have been friends since childhood, were committed to becoming actors from an early age and worked together to realize that ambition. As they began their journeys in the industry, they maintained a joint bank account where they deposited all their income from acting roles, using those funds to pay for train or plane tickets to auditions.

In 1998, they established a production company named Pearl Street Films. Eventually, they went on to create another production venture called LivePlanet. The highlight of LivePlanet was the documentary TV series “Project Greenlight,” which sought to empower young filmmakers by providing them with a platform to direct their debut feature films. Currently, they co-own Artists Equity, an independent production company focused on equitably sharing profits with all involved parties. Affleck holds the position of CEO and intends to create films exclusively under this banner.

Collaboration with Kevin Smith

Throughout his career, Affleck has collaborated frequently with director Kevin Smith. Their friendship and professional partnership began in 1995 when Ben took on a supporting role in Smith’s film “Mallrats.” Smith subsequently wrote a leading part for Affleck in his follow-up film, “Chasing Amy.” Since then, Ben has appeared in every entry in the View Askewniverse.

Films directed by Kevin Smith include “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 was positioned to take on larger and more prestigious roles. His initial major hit was “Armageddon,” in which he portrayed a working-class individual sent to space to prevent an asteroid from colliding with Earth. The film achieved remarkable box office success, solidifying Ben’s reputation as a rising leading man.

Following this, other successful films ensued, such as “Shakespeare in Love,” “Pearl Harbor,” “The Sum of All Fears,” and “Changing Lanes.” However, not every film was a success; several of Affleck’s projects underperformed at the box office. Notably, he expressed regret over the 2003 film “Daredevil,” which he later cited as a project he wished he hadn’t done.

Beginning with 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Affleck took on the role of Batman, and is expected to reprise this character in a cameo for the 2023 film “The Flash.” His performance as a recovering alcoholic in the 2020 sports drama “The Way Back” received widespread acclaim, and the subject resonated personally with him. During the film’s pre-production phase in 2018, Ben faced a relapse, and filming took place shortly after his stint in rehab, during which he had a sober coach present on set. Affleck also portrayed Phil Knight in the 2023 film “Air.”

Personal Life

Affleck has been associated with several prominent figures in Hollywood romantically. He notably dated singer Jennifer Lopez from 2002 to 2004, quickly becoming a favorite subject of tabloids. The media frenzy surrounding “Bennifer” saw paparazzi chronicling their every move. Although both had been in the public eye previously, this level of constant attention was new for Affleck. The couple became engaged in 2002 but postponed their wedding planned for 2003 due to overwhelming media scrutiny. They ended their relationship the following year.

In 2005, Ben married Jennifer Garner, and they welcomed three children together. In 2015, they announced their separation, and their divorce was finalized by the end of 2018.

In 2001, Ben sought residential treatment for alcoholism, returning to therapy in 2017.

In 2018, he faced a public incident after a year of staying sober in 2019, but he committed to not allowing it to hinder his journey. Following a twelve-step program, he continues to manage his anxiety and depression.

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

Directing

Early in his career, Ben developed an interest in directing and absorbed knowledge from the directors he collaborated with. His first film, “Gone Baby Gone,” was directed by him in 2007. Subsequently, he wrote, produced, and directed “The Town” (2010). He achieved significant commercial and critical acclaim with “Argo” (2012), where he also starred and directed. In 2023, he portrayed Phil Knight in “Air,” a film he directed and produced, which marked the inaugural release for Affleck and Damon’s production venture, Artists Equity.

Awards and Honors

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

Charity and Philanthropy

Ben Affleck has championed numerous significant 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 residence in LA’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood for $17.55 million, previously owned by producer Brian Grazer. Jennifer resided in this house until late 2018 when Ben and Jen sold the mansion to Maroon 5’s Adam Levine for $32 million:

After three years in their previous home, Adam Levine and his wife, Behati Prinsloo, listed the property for $57.5 million. That same month, Jennifer acquired a new house in Brentwood Park, Los Angeles, for $8 million.

In April 2018, Ben purchased a mansion in Pacific Palisades for $19 million. The 13,450 square-foot property, constructed in 2017, features seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and a large lawn with a pool area in the backyard. He listed this home for sale in August 2022 at $29.995 million and sold it within two weeks for the full asking price.

In early 2023, Affleck and Lopez withdrew from escrow on a $64 million mansion in Pacific Palisades and reportedly backed out of a $34 million Hamptons-style home in the same vicinity. A year earlier, they had considered an offer on a $50 million Bel-Air mansion but ultimately decided against it. In June 2023, it was reported that the couple finalized the purchase of a $61 million mansion in Beverly Hills. Amid rumors of a breakup in July 2024, Ben acquired a Palisades mansion for $20.5 million, taking out a $10 million mortgage for the purchase, located next to Diane Keaton’s longtime estate.