As childhood friend Matt Damon can attest, Affleck’s home was centered on lively discussions with his loved ones growing up.
“That dinner table was one of the most fun places to be growing up because we had discussions about just about any topic,” Damon told the outlet. “In order to survive, you had to construct arguments and make good arguments. Ben really developed his debating skills there. He’s not the kind of guy you want to be in a debate.”
Decades later, Ben and Casey each went on to pursue acting careers. In 2013, Ben received an honorary degree from Brown University and used the opportunity to thank his mother, one of his biggest inspirations.
“This means a lot to her,” he said in his speech, dedicating his degree to Chris. “My mom never got to see me graduate from higher education. So, mom, this is for you. I love you.”
According to his obituary, Chris’ greatest wish before his death was for his grandson Atticus to live to see him graduate from high school after his diagnosis.
“She attended and did so with her family on May 31, 2026,” her obituary concludes. “She passed away peacefully in her sleep two days later.”
