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Benjamin "Ben" Affleck-Boldt (born August 15, 1972), better known as Ben Affleck, is an American actor and filmmaker. His accolades include two Academy Awards. Affleck began his career as a child when he starred in the PBS educational series The Voyage of the Mimi (1984, 1988). He later appeared in the independent comedy Dazed and Confused (1993) and several Kevin Smith comedies, including Chasing Amy (1997).

Affleck gained wider recognition when he and his good friend Matt Damon won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for writing Good Will Hunting (1997), which they also starred in. He established himself as a leading man in studio films, including the disaster film Armageddon (1998), the action crime thriller Reindeer Games (2000), the war drama Pearl Harbor (2001), and the thriller The Sum of All Fears (2002). After a career downturn, Affleck made a comeback by portraying George Reeves in the biopic Hollywoodland (2006), winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.

His directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone (2007), which he also co-wrote, was well received. He then directed and starred in the crime drama The Town (2010) and the political thriller Argo (2012), both of which were critical and commercial successes. For the latter, Affleck won the BAFTA Award for Best Director, and the BAFTA and Academy Award for Best Picture. Affleck then starred in the psychological thriller Gone Girl (2014) and played the superhero Batman in films set DC Extended Universe including Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). He starred in the thriller The Accountant (2016) and the sports drama The Way Back (2020). Affleck had supporting roles in the dramas The Last Duel (2021), The Tender Bar (2021), and Air (2023), the latter of which he also directed.

Affleck is the co-founder of the Eastern Congo Initiative, a grantmaking and advocacy-based nonprofit organization. He is a supporter of the Democratic Party. Affleck and Damon are co-owners of the production company Artists Equity and were also co-owners of Pearl Street Films.

He made his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live on February 19, 2000, the thirteenth episode of Season 25, with musical guest Fiona Apple. Gwyneth Paltrow makes an appearance in Affleck's monologue (Affleck made an appearance when she hosted in 1999).

He returns to Saturday Night Live to hosting for the 2nd time on March 13, 2004, the fifteenth episode of Season 29, with musical guests N.E.R.D..

He returns to Saturday Night Live again to hosting for the 3rd time on October 2, 2004, which is the season premiere of Season 30, with musical guest Nelly.

He returned to Saturday Night Live again to hosting for the 4th time on November 1, 2008, the seventh episode of Season 34, with musical guest David Cook.

He returns to Saturday Night Live once again to hosting for the 5th time on May 18, 2013, which is the Season 38 finale, making him one of the newest member of the Five-Timers Club, along with musical guest Kanye West.

He also made cameos on February 6, 1999, during the opening monologue and on March 10, 2001, during the "Cumberland Farms" sketch as Donnie Bartalotti.

He was also impersonated by Chris Kattan on the March 14, 1998 episode during the "Barbara Walters Oscar Special" sketch.

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