Ben Affleck has earned millions throughout his career — here's how he makes and spends his money

Affleck and Matt Damon split a $600,000 check for writing "Good Will Hunting."

Though Affleck and Damon became Hollywood players overnight thanks to 1997's "Good Will Hunting," which earned them a best original screenplay Oscar, they didn't get paid a huge amount. 

Affleck told Boston Magazine in 2013 that he and Damon split $600,000 for selling the script.

"I remember it was printed in Daily Variety that we were going to get $600,000 on it," he recalled. "We had no credit, so we went to rent this house that was $3,000 a month, and we used a copy of the Daily Variety to get the place. I was like, 'I don't have credit, but this is who we are.' And the landlord was like, 'All right, sure.'"

"We thought $600,000 would take care of us for 20 years," he continued, "so we rented nicer apartments and each bought Jeep Cherokees. And we were completely broke in a year."

Affleck has been earning eight-figure salaries for years.

After "Good Will Hunting" Affleck worked his way into becoming a major Hollywood star with movies like "Armageddon," "Pearl Harbor," and "Daredevil."

For the last few decades, Affleck has built up to earning eight-figure paydays, including his turn as Batman in DC Comic movies "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Justice League."

The star made $35 million in 2014 thanks to a "huge paycheck" for "Batman v Superman."

In 2014, the actor earned $35 million, which included a "huge paycheck" the actor got for playing the latest Batman, according to Forbes.

Affleck was in the midst of portraying the latest Batman for the DC Comics franchise that year, as he was making "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."

He earned $43 million in 2016.

Thanks to the backend deal Affleck had for "Batman v Superman," Affleck took in $43 million in 2016, a high water mark in the actor's career at that point, according to Forbes.

He earned $55 million in 2020.

According to Forbes, the star brought in $55 million in 2020 thanks to eight-figure checks to star in movies like "The Last Duel" and the upcoming action movie "Hypnotic," directed by Robert Rodriguez.

Affleck bought an 87-acre estate in Savannah, Georgia, for $7 million in 2003 when he began dating Jennifer Lopez.

The sprawling estate, which he paid $7 million according to Dirt, features a main residence that has three bedrooms and five bathrooms and is 6,000 square feet.

Another, larger house dubbed the "Oyster House" is 10,000 square feet with five bedrooms, three master suites, plus bunk beds for kids visiting. And it has its own dock.

Affleck has put the home on the market several times, but after reconnecting with former flame Jennifer Lopez, he took it off the market and hosted the couple's marriage celebration there.

Affleck spent $2.5 million on an engagement ring for Jennifer Lopez the first time they were a couple.

Back in the early 2000s when "Bennifer" was born, the two stars got engaged before ultimately calling off the wedding in 2004. 

Affleck proposed to Lopez with a $2.5 million, 6.1-carat pink diamond Harry Winston engagement ring. After their split, Lopez gave it back to him.

Affleck and ex-wife Jennifer Garner sold their Pacific Palisades home in 2019 for a big profit.

Affleck married Garner in 2005. The two separated in 2015 and their divorce was finalized in 2018.

While together, the couple bought an 8,800-square-foot property in the posh Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles in 2009 from producer Brian Grazer for $17.5 million.

In 2019, they made a profit when selling the house. It went for $32 million.

Affleck sold his other Pacific Palisades home, which he moved into after splitting with Garner, for $28.5 million.

In 2018, Affleck moved into a 13,500-square-foot property that cost him $19 million.

It has seven bedrooms, a columned front porch, a three-car garage, a motor court, a home theater, and an office.

He sold the property in October 2022 for $28.5 million.

Affleck and Lopez were leasing a $60 million mansion until her house was remodeled.

Affleck and Lopez  stopped house hunting since their marriage. According to TMZ, the newlyweds decided to live in Lopez's current home, which is on 8 acres and is 14,000 square feet, with 7 bedrooms, and 13 bathrooms. But it's currently being remodeled and may not be done for over a year.

So, the couple rented out the $60 million home of Australian businessman James Packer in the meantime.

The couple listed the mansion they bought on the market for $68 million.

After months of rumors that Affleck and Lopez's marriage was on the rocks, they listed their Beverly Hills mansion for $68 million in July 2024.

The recently renovated 5.2 acre property has 12 bedrooms and 24 bathrooms. It also has a separate 5,000-square-foot guest penthouse, caretaker house, and two-bedroom guardhouse.

 

Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck in August 2024. She waived her claim to spousal support.

On August 20, 2024, Lopez represented herself in court without a lawyer while filing for divorce from Affleck. The date marks the second anniversary of their Georgia wedding ceremony.

She waived her claim to spousal support and requested the judge do the same for Affleck.

Lopez listed the date of separation as April 26, before rumors about their split began to circulate.