Chris Affleck, mother of Ben and Casey Affleck, passed away less than a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Chris died on June 2, having received her diagnosis in December 2025. An obituary in The Boston Globe stated that she was given six months to live.
The obituary noted, “Her greatest wish after her diagnosis, however, was to live to see her grandson graduate high school.” She fulfilled this wish by attending the ceremony with her family on May 31, 2026, and passed away peacefully in her sleep two days later.
Born in New York City in 1942, Chris graduated from Harvard University and dedicated over 30 years to teaching in public schools before retiring in 2008. She is survived by her sons Ben, 53, and Casey, 50, whom she had with her ex-husband Timothy Affleck, along with her five grandchildren.
After retiring, Chris devoted her time to volunteering, supporting the Barack Obama campaign, and organizing with the Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine. She also helped establish the Sustainable Cape project in Truro, Massachusetts.
Ben Affleck Matt Damon with their moms, Chris and Nancy, at the 70th annual Academy Awards Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images
In the early stages of Ben’s career in Hollywood, his mother played a crucial role by connecting him with casting director Patty Collins, her former college roommate.
Chris accompanied her son and Matt Damon to the 1998 Oscars when their film Good Will Hunting received nine nominations, winning Best Original Screenplay, with Robin Williams also securing Best Supporting Actor.
A Boston boy through and through. Ben Affleck has been a Hollywood A-lister for more than two decades, but he’s never forgotten his New England roots (or his love of Dunkin’ coffee). Born in Berkeley, California, the avid Red Sox fan moved to Massachusetts with his family when he was just 3 years old. He […]
Ben once shared with Vanity Fair, “We were sitting next to our moms and we won, and we kind of hugged our moms. I remember how everyone had made such a big thing out of it as if this was such a novelty. I remember thinking, being insecure, like, ‘Why? Why is it weird that we’re bringing our moms?’ Who else do you think we would bring?”
Casey also appreciated his mother’s influence on his career, noting to Boston Magazine in 2006 that she was “really supportive” of his acting pursuits.
As Ben and Casey’s careers progressed, both achieved Oscar success. Ben’s film Argo won Best Picture in 2012, while Casey received Best Actor in 2017 for his performance in Manchester by the Sea.
Neither Ben nor Casey have publicly commented on their mother’s passing.
