Ben Affleck reveals terrifying childhood incident: Held at knifepoint by future killer
Affleck opened up about the frightening teenage encounter that took an unexpected turn after he recognized his attackers
Ben Affleck has opened up about a frightening experience from his teenage years, revealing that he was held at knifepoint during an attempted robbery by someone who would later go on to kill another person.
The actor, now 54, recalled the disturbing encounter during an appearance on Kerry Washington’s Street You Grew Up On podcast.
Affleck said he was around 15 years old and walking home from high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when he noticed two older boys on the opposite side of the street.
As the teenagers moved toward him from different directions, Affleck said his instincts immediately kicked in. He considered running but ultimately decided not to, believing he shouldn’t show fear.
The situation quickly became more serious. The boys confronted him, grabbed him and pulled out a knife while demanding his money. Affleck admitted that he was scared, but then recognized the teenagers from playing baseball.
“Out of the corner of my eye, I realized who they were; I recognized them from playing baseball,” he said. “They were older boys that I knew - and they were like, ‘Oh, yeah, what's up?’”
Years later, Affleck learned that one of the teenagers involved had continued down a violent path.
“That kid who robbed me ended up three or four years later killing somebody with a knife and going to prison for 20 years,” said Affleck. “So there was that, you know what I mean? And you were kind of aware of it.”
The memory changed how Affleck viewed his own family
Affleck also explained why he kept the frightening experience from his mother, Chris Anne Affleck , when it happened.
He said he simply didn't want to worry or frighten her, even though she later questioned why he hadn't told her about the incident.
Looking back as a father, Affleck said the experience has influenced the way he communicates with his own children. He makes a point of telling them that they can come to him with anything, reflecting on how reluctant he was to share difficult experiences with his own mother.
The actor's recollections came as he reflected on his childhood following the deaths of both his parents this year. His father, Timothy Affleck , died in April, while his mother died in June at the age of 83.
His mother's death has also prompted Affleck to reconsider the woman he knew primarily as his parent.
He spoke about discovering letters she had written when she was younger, which gave him a new appreciation for her interests and life before motherhood.
"It was so interesting to me because all I knew was a person who just made me and my brother the absolute most important center of her life," he said.
"And it really struck me that she was gorgeous and smart and thoughtful and passionate, and I just thought, 'This woman's amazing. She can do anything.' And there she was, my whole life."
Chris Anne worked as a public-school teacher and devoted herself to raising Affleck and his brother, Casey. Affleck said he now better understands the sacrifices she made for her family.
He also described growing up in a working-class Cambridge neighborhood where poverty, violence and racial tensions were part of everyday life during his youth. Despite those divisions, he remembered friendships often bringing people together.
