Although born in Berkeley, grew up in Cambridge, people very close to Boston, Massachusetts, where she met another aspiring actor, Matt Damon, with whom he maintains a close and lasting friendship.

Affleck jump final in the industry occurred when Hollywood starred alongside Matt Damon, Minnie Driver and Robin Williams drama directed by Gus Van Sant "Good Will Hunting" (1997), written by the couple Affleck / Damon, who achieved a Golden Globe and an Oscar for best original screenplay of the year.

At the end of its 90-star position was consolidated with commercial titles like "Armageddon" (1998), action thriller directed by Michael Bay, or "Shakespeare in Love" (1999), John Madden oscarizada film that had the leading role of Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Ben is also a skilled poker player and usually runs the local events. He was educated in the world of poker professionals as Amir Vahedi or Annie Duke. He won the championship of the Poker California on June 20, 2004, qualified for the final world championship. In 2007 he made his debut as director with the film Bye, Bye Baby, goodbye starring his younger brother Casey Affleck and based on a novel by Dennis Lehane (Mysitc River) that he has received a very well received by critics.