American actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck began his career as a child, appearing in several television shows, including the PBS educational program The Voyage of the Mimi (1984).

He co-wrote the script and starred with Matt Damon in Gus Van Sant's drama film Good Will Hunting, for which they won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

[7][8] In 2000, Affleck co-formed a production company named LivePlanet, which produced Project Greenlight (2001–05, 2015), a television series that provides training to first-time filmmakers.

[9][10][11] Affleck starred in Bay's war film Pearl Harbor (2001), which despite negative reviews was a box office hit.

[12][13] His career subsequently went through a period of decline when he starred in a series of critical and commercial failures, including Gigli (2003).