Ben Affleck‘s career exploded in the 1990s, going from relative unknown to Hollywood A-lister. This decade saw him showcase his talents in a variety of roles, from coming-of-age dramas to big-budget action flicks.
Here’s a look back at Affleck’s 90s filmography:
Early 90s
School Ties (1992) A powerful drama about prejudice and social pressure at an elite prep school starring Brendan Fraser as the star quarterback. Affleck plays a supporting role as a privileged student, offering an early glimpse of his dramatic potential. Chris O’Donnell, Matt Damon, Randall Batinkoff, Amy Locane, Kevin Tighe, Ed Lauter and Andrew Lowery round out the cast.
Dazed and Confused (1993) A cult classic coming-of-age film capturing the laid-back vibe of a 1970s high school. Affleck plays the intimidating and slightly older Fred O’Bannion, a memorable character in this ensemble piece. Jason London, Joey Lauren Adams, Cole Hauser, Milla Jovovich, Parker Posey, Rory Cochrane, Nicky Katt, Renee Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey also starred.
Mallrats (1995) A Kevin Smith comedy where Affleck plays a supporting role as Shannon Hamilton a 25-year-old clothing-store manager in the mall. Jeremy London, Jason Lee, Shannen Doherty, Claire Forlani, Micheal Rooker and Joey Lauren Adams starred.
Independent Films
Chasing Amy (1997) A Kevin Smith film exploring complex relationships and sexual identity. Affleck plays Holden McNeil, a comic book artist who falls for a lesbian. Joey Lauren Adams and Jason Lee co-starred. Casey Affleck and Matt Damon had cameo appearances.
Chasing Amy (Photo/Miramax Films)
Phantoms (1998) A horror film based on Dean Koontz’s novel. Affleck stars as Sheriff Bryce Hammond, battling a supernatural entity. Peter O’Toole, Rose McGowan, Nicky Katt, Liev Schrieber and Bo Hopkins round out the cast.
200 Cigarettes (1999) An ensemble comedy set on New Year’s Eve. Affleck appears briefly as a bartender. The cast included Courtney Love, Dave Chappelle, Paul Rudd, Kate Hudson and Christina Ricci.
Dogma (1999) Another collaboration with Kevin Smith, this time a satirical comedy about two fallen angels trying to get back into Heaven. Affleck plays Bartleby, one of the angels. The ensemble cast included Matt Damon, Chris Rock, George Carlin, Linda Fiorentino, Jason Lee, Salma Hayek, Alanis Morrisette and Alan Rickman.
Box Office and Oscar Gold
Good Will Hunting (1997) This film, which Affleck co-wrote with Matt Damon, catapulted them both to stardom. Affleck plays Chuckie Sullivan, Will’s best friend, in a role that earned him critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (shared with Damon). Robin Williams won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards for his role as Dr. Sean Maguire. Minnie Driver, Casey Affleck and Cole Hauser also starred.
Armageddon (1998) A big-budget action blockbuster grossing $553.7 million as the No. 1 grossing film of the year, where Affleck plays A.J. Frost, a roughneck recruited by NASA to save the world from an asteroid. Directed by Michael Bay and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the film also starred Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Liv Tyler, Will Patton, William Fichtner and Owen Wilson.
Shakespeare in Love (1998) A romantic comedy-drama about William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) and Viola de Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) during the writing of Romeo and Juliet. Affleck has a supporting role as Ned Alleyn, a famous actor of the time. Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth and Judi Dench also starred. The film won seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actress (Paltrow) and was a box-office success, grossing $289 million worldwide.
Forces of Nature (1999) A romantic comedy where Affleck plays Ben Holmes, a man whose life is turned upside down when he meets a free-spirited woman (Sandra Bullock). Maura Tierney, Steve Zahn and Ronny Cox round out the cast.
Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck in Forces of Nature (Photo/DreamWorks)
Ben Affleck’s 1990s Legacy
Affleck began his film career as an extra in the Kevin Costner baseball classic Field of Dreams and wrapped up his first decade as an Oscar winner for penning the Good Will Hunting script with Damon and starring alongside Willis in the top grossing film of 1998, Armageddon. His flexibility to transition from big budget studios films to indies adored by film critics would be a staple of his career.
