TIME100 AI 2026 · Innovators
Ben Affleck
Actor and filmmaker
The Oscar-winning actor says Instagram banned him twice for impersonating himself.
- Born
- 1972-08-15, Berkeley, California, US
- Now
- Co-founder and CEO, Artists Equity
- Studied
- Occidental College, University of Vermont
Interesting facts
- Early start
Acted professionally for the first time at the age of seven.
en.wikipedia.org - Detour
Before acting took over, he studied Middle Eastern affairs at Occidental College for a year and a half, after a few months studying Spanish in Vermont.
en.wikipedia.org - Numbers
Holds two Oscars: one for co-writing Good Will Hunting with Matt Damon, and one for producing Argo, which he also directed and starred in.
variety.com - Connection
Artists Equity, the studio he launched with Matt Damon in 2022, is built around giving crew and talent a bigger share of a film's profits.
variety.com - Numbers
Used AI for lots of things while making his 2026 Netflix thriller Animals, which he directed, co-wrote and starred in.
deadline.com
Career
- Artists EquityCo-founder and CEO2022 to now
- Eastern Congo InitiativeCo-founder2010 to now
- Pearl Street FilmsCo-founder1996–2022
Education
- Attended, left without a degree, Middle Eastern affairs, Occidental College
- Attended, left without a degree, Spanish, University of Vermont
Sources1en.wikipedia.org