Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt was born on August 15, 1972, in Berkeley, California. He began his acting career in the late 1980s with roles in television series and films. Affleck’s breakthrough role came in 1997 with his performance in “Good Will Hunting,” which he co-wrote with Matt Damon. The film’s success earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and established Affleck as a talented actor and writer.