Ben Affleck opens up about discovering his mom’s letters after her death

Ben Affleck has opened up about discovering letters his late mother wrote when she was young, revealing how reading them changed the way he viewed his childhood and her life.

The actor discussed the discovery during the premiere episode of Kerry Washington’s new podcast, Street You Grew Up On, which launched on Wednesday, September 30. Affleck, 54, spoke about losing both of his parents earlier this year and how their deaths prompted him to reflect on his upbringing.

“My parents just died, both of them,” Affleck told Washington, explaining that his father, Timothy Affleck, died in April, while his mother, Chris Anne Affleck, died in June at 83 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

After his mother’s death, Affleck discovered letters she had written to her parents when she was a young woman. The letters offered him a glimpse into a side of his mother that he had never known personally, before she became a parent to him and his brother Casey Affleck.

The letters described Chris as a young woman “full of life and ambition and dreams”. She had considered becoming a social worker or teacher, lived in California and travelled to Mississippi to participate in protests. Affleck said it was fascinating to realise that his mother had lived a complete life before he was born.

For Affleck, the discovery gave him a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices his mother made for her children. He said the experience made him recognise that she had “her own whole life for 30 years” before becoming his mother.

Chris eventually worked as a public school teacher, teaching fifth and sixth grades. Affleck recalled that she worked long hours, often staying at school until the late afternoon before returning home and taking care of her family.

Looking back, Affleck acknowledged that he did not fully understand how much his mother was doing for him and Casey when he was a child. He said it was only later in life that he began to recognise the extent of her work and commitment to raising her sons.

“She was, I mean, gorgeous and smart and thoughtful and passionate,” Affleck said, reflecting on his mother. “I just thought this woman's amazing and she could do anything.”

Affleck’s conversation with Washington comes as the two actors prepare for the release of their new film Animals, which premieres on Netflix on October 9.

Street You Grew Up On will continue with weekly episodes featuring guests including Dwayne Johnson, Demi Lovato, Colin Kaepernick and Chelsea Handler.