“Rewatching This Kevin Costner Classic Made Me Realize Ben Affleck Was There All Along”

Ben Affleck’s Early Career: The Hidden Gems You Might Have Missed

Ben Affleck’s Hollywood journey is filled with memorable roles and surprising turns. While he became a household name after winning an Oscar with Matt Damon for Good Will Hunting—a film that catapulted both their acting careers—Affleck’s path to stardom included many smaller, lesser-known roles that fans might not be aware of.

After Good Will Hunting, Affleck starred in blockbusters like Armageddon, took on complex leading roles in films such as Gone Girl, and even portrayed two iconic superheroes: Daredevil and Batman. However, his career wasn’t without setbacks. Movies like the notorious Gigli nearly derailed his rise. Yet, he successfully reinvented himself as a talented director and filmmaker, earning critical acclaim. His recent hit The Accountant 2 shows he still has strong appeal as an actor. But long before all this success, Affleck made a brief, nearly invisible appearance in a now-classic film.

Ben Affleck’s Uncredited Cameo in Field of Dreams

Before Ben Affleck was famous, he appeared as an extra in the 1989 Kevin Costner sports classic Field of Dreams. The movie tells the magical story of a farmer in Iowa who hears a mysterious voice urging him to build a baseball field in his cornfield. Featuring stellar performances from Costner, Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones, and Burt Lancaster, the film remains a beloved classic.

Affleck, along with Matt Damon, appeared in the crowd during a baseball game scene. Both young actors, lifelong Boston Red Sox fans, eagerly took the opportunity to be on set as it filmed at Fenway Park. Kevin Costner himself later recalled meeting the two during the shoot. Interestingly, Costner and Affleck eventually shared more screen time in the drama Company Men years later.

However, spotting Ben Affleck in Field of Dreams is extremely challenging, and it’s even uncertain if his footage made it into the final cut of the film.

Other Early Ben Affleck Roles You May Have Missed

While Ben Affleck is now one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, early in his career he often appeared in smaller roles that went largely unnoticed. Many ’90s films featured him in brief parts alongside other future stars.

For instance, before Buffy the Vampire Slayer became a hit TV series, it was originally a quirky 1992 teen horror-comedy movie starring Kristy Swanson. The cast included Hilary Swank, David Arquette, and Thomas Jane, with Affleck appearing briefly as a basketball player. His single line in the film was actually dubbed by another actor.

Affleck’s and Damon’s first credited collaboration came in the 1992 drama School Ties, a story about a Jewish student facing antisemitism at a private school in the 1950s. Damon played the main antagonist, while Affleck had a smaller role as one of the bigoted classmates. Future Yellowstone star Cole Hauser also appeared in the film.

Though these roles were minor at the time, they offer a fascinating glimpse into Affleck’s early career and the foundations of his lasting partnership with Damon. Looking back, these early appearances are a reminder of how far he has come—from fleeting cameos to Oscar-winning performances.