Casey Affleck is a well-known actor who has won various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award and a Golden Globe Award. He has starred in films such as The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Gone Baby Gone, Manchester by the Sea and A Ghost Story. But did you know that he is also related to another famous actor, Ben Affleck? In this article, we will explore the relationship between Casey and Ben Affleck, and how they both became successful in Hollywood.
Contents
The Affleck Brothers: Early Life and Education
Casey and Ben Affleck are brothers who were born in Falmouth, Massachusetts, to Christopher Anne “Chris” Boldt and Timothy Byers Affleck. Their surname “Affleck” is of Scottish origin, and they also have Irish, German, English and Swiss ancestry. Their mother was a Harvard-educated elementary school teacher, and their father worked in various jobs, such as an auto mechanic, a carpenter, a bookie, an electrician, a bartender and a janitor at Harvard University. He was also a stage manager, director, writer and actor with the Theater Company of Boston in the mid-1960s.
According to OtakuKart, Casey and Ben Affleck lived with their mother and visited their father weekly after their parents divorced when Casey was nine. Casey learned to speak Spanish during a year spent traveling around Mexico with his mother and brother when he was ten. He also started acting by “reenacting what was happening at home” during role play exercises at Alateen meetings.
Casey attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, where he was friends with Matt Damon. He later studied at George Washington University and Columbia University, but did not graduate from either. Ben also attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, where he met Damon and formed a close friendship. He went on to study at Occidental College and the University of Vermont, but dropped out after one year.
The Affleck Brothers: Career and Achievements
Casey and Ben Affleck both began their career as child actors, appearing in the PBS television film Lemon Sky (1988). They later appeared in three Gus Van Sant films: To Die For (1995), Good Will Hunting (1997) and Gerry (2002). They also starred together in Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy (1997) and Dogma (1999).
Ben rose to fame after co-writing and starring in Good Will Hunting with Damon, for which they won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. He went on to star in films such as Armageddon (1998), Pearl Harbor (2001), The Sum of All Fears (2002), Daredevil (2003), Hollywoodland (2006) and The Town (2010). He also became a successful director, helming films such as Gone Baby Gone (2007), The Town (2010), Argo (2012) and Live by Night (2016). He also played Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Suicide Squad (2016) and Justice League (2017).
Casey had his breakthrough in 2007, when he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Robert Ford in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. He also starred in his brother’s directorial debut Gone Baby Gone that same year. In 2010, he directed the mockumentary I’m Still Here, starring Joaquin Phoenix. He received critical acclaim for his performance as a grieving man in Manchester by the Sea (2016), for which he won an Oscar for Best Actor. He has since starred in films such as A Ghost Story (2017), The Old Man & the Gun (2018) and Our Friend (2020).
The Affleck Brothers: Personal Life and Controversies
Casey and Ben Affleck have both faced some challenges and controversies in their personal lives. Casey married actress Summer Phoenix, the sister of Joaquin Phoenix, in 2006. They have two sons: Indiana (born 2004) and Atticus (born 2008). However, they separated in 2015 and divorced in 2017. Casey has also been accused of sexual harassment by two women who worked with him on I’m Still Here. He denied the allegations and settled the lawsuits out of court. He later expressed regret for his behavior and said he had learned from the #MeToo movement.
Ben married actress Jennifer Garner in 2005. They have three children: Violet (born 2005), Seraphina (born 2009) and Samuel (born 2012). However, they announced their separation in 2015 and finalized their divorce in 2018. Ben has also struggled with alcohol addiction and has been to rehab several times. He has also been involved in several high-profile relationships, such as with Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez and Ana de Armas.
Despite their ups and downs, Casey and Ben Affleck have remained supportive of each other as brothers and colleagues. They have praised each other’s work and achievements, and have defended each other from criticism. They have also collaborated on several projects, such as The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Gone Baby Gone, I’m Still Here and The Last Duel.
Conclusion
Casey and Ben Affleck are indeed related; they are brothers who share a passion for acting and filmmaking. They have both achieved success and recognition in Hollywood, but have also faced some challenges and controversies in their personal lives. They have a close bond as siblings and collaborators, and have influenced each other’s careers. They are two of the most talented and influential actors of their generation..
