The Boston-based Affleck made his breakthrough as Matt Damon’s sidekick and co-writer in 1998’s Good Will Hunting. He remained in the headlines in the years following Good Will Hunting, but it had more to do with his relationships than his acting – he appeared in the critically panned Daredevil and Gigli, but dated Gwyneth Paltrow and the other half of “Bennifer”, Jennifer Lopez.

After the tumultuous early years, Affleck settled down personally and professionally. He started a family with Jennifer Garner, and had a career renaissance of sorts after his directorial debut Gone Baby Gone in 2007. This mystery thriller, set in his hometown and starring his brother Casey alongside Morgan Freeman, drew serious praise and demonstrated a level of discipline and intellect that wasn’t always apparent in his acting roles. He followed it up with another hit, The Town (2010), which he starred in as well as directing, and his 2012 vessel Argo took home the Academy Award for Best Picture.