Ben Affleck Speaking Fee: $500,000 to $750,000

Ben Affleck, born Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt on August 15, 1972, in Berkeley, California, moved with his family to Cambridge, Massachusetts, during his early years. His mother, Christine Anne, was a schoolteacher, and his father, Timothy Byers Affleck, worked various jobs, including janitor and social worker. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, Affleck developed an early interest in acting, securing his first professional role in the PBS series The Voyage of the Mimi during the mid-1980s. It was in Cambridge that he formed a lasting friendship with Matt Damon, a bond that would significantly influence his career. Affleck's breakthrough came with the 1997 film Good Will Hunting, which he co-wrote and starred in alongside Damon. The screenplay earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, catapulting both actors into the Hollywood spotlight. Following this success, Affleck took on leading roles in a variety of genres, including the disaster film Armageddon (1998), the romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love (1998), and the war drama Pearl Harbor (2001). These performances solidified his status as a versatile leading man in the industry. In 2007, Affleck expanded his repertoire by directing his first feature film, Gone Baby Gone, a crime drama set in Boston. The film received critical acclaim, showcasing his aptitude behind the camera. He continued to direct and star in successful projects such as The Town (2010) and Argo (2012). Argo, a political thriller about the Iran hostage crisis, won the Academy Award for Best Picture, with Affleck serving as both director and producer. Beyond his film career, Affleck co-founded the Eastern Congo Initiative in 2010, aiming to support community-based organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His commitment to philanthropy reflects a dedication to leveraging his platform for global betterment. In recent years, Affleck has embraced new challenges, including portraying Batman in the DC Extended Universe and co-founding Artists Equity in 2022 with Matt Damon and Gerry Cardinale. This production company seeks to empower artists by providing them with greater creative control and financial participation in their projects. Affleck's enduring passion for storytelling, both in front of and behind the camera, continues to influence the cinematic landscape.