Chris Anne Affleck, the mother of actors Ben and Casey Affleck, died on June 2 at the age of 83. Her family announced her passing following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Affleck had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December and was given six months to live. Her final wish was to witness her grandson's high school graduation, which she attended on May 31, just two days before her death.
Born in December 1942 in New York City, Chris Anne Affleck was a graduate of Harvard University and dedicated 35 years of her life to teaching in public schools before retiring in 2008. Ben Affleck spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in 2012 about his mother's commitment to education, noting she taught fifth and sixth grade after earning her master's degree from Harvard.
According to her obituary, Affleck developed a strong social consciousness early in life. She taught literacy classes in Mississippi during Freedom Summer in the 1960s, participated in anti-Vietnam War marches, and was involved in the era's counterculture. Her obituary stated she was a staunch advocate for civil rights and carried these values into her classroom, treating every student as an equal.
Chris Anne and her ex-husband, Timothy Affleck, welcomed sons Ben in 1972 and Casey in 1975. The family relocated to Massachusetts in the mid-1970s, where she continued her teaching career. Casey Affleck has credited his mother with maintaining stability in the household during their parents' divorce, which occurred when Ben was 12.
Affleck also supported her sons' early aspirations. She is credited with introducing Ben to casting director Patty Collins, a former Harvard roommate, who helped him secure early television and commercial roles. Ben Affleck recalled in a 2007 interview with Parade that his entry into acting was a casual endeavor facilitated by his mother's connections.
Throughout Ben Affleck's career, his mother remained a supportive presence. She accompanied him and Matt Damon to the 1998 Academy Awards when they won for Best Original Screenplay. Affleck described the experience in a 2023 Vanity Fair interview, reflecting on bringing their mothers as a natural choice.
Chris Anne Affleck also maintained a close relationship with Ben Affleck's ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, even after their divorce. The two were frequently seen together in the years following the split. Affleck also attended Ben Affleck's 2022 wedding to Jennifer Lopez, reportedly overcoming a leg injury sustained the day before the ceremony.
After retiring from teaching, Affleck remained active in social causes. Her obituary mentioned her support for former President Barack Obama's campaign, her involvement with the Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine, and her role as a board member for the Sustainable Cape project.
She is survived by her sons Ben and Casey, and five grandchildren: Indiana, Violet, Atticus, Fin, and Sam.