Ben Affleck through the years

Ben Affleck through the years —

Even though he wasn't nominated for a best director Oscar, it was comeback kid Ben Affleck's big night at the 85th Academy Awards. His film "Argo" took home top honors as the year's best picture. From child actor to Hollywood heavyweight, see Affleck's road to gold:

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Ben Affleck through the years —

Affleck starred opposite Pam Potillo in "Wanted: The Perfect Guy," an Emmy Award-winning ABC Afterschool Special in 1986.

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Ben Affleck through the years —

Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams starred in 1997's "Chasing Amy."

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Ben Affleck through the years —

Affleck and Matt Damon wrote and starred in 1997's "Good Will Hunting."

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Ben Affleck through the years —

In 1998, Affleck and Matt Damon won the Academy Award for best original screenplay.

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Ben Affleck through the years —

After his Oscar win, Affleck was courted as a leading man. Here he is in 1998's "Armageddon."

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Ben Affleck through the years —

He starred alongside Sandra Bullock in 1999's "Forces of Nature."

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Ben Affleck through the years —

In 2001, he co-starred with Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale in "Pearl Harbor."

Touchstone Pictures

Ben Affleck through the years —

Affleck and Jennifer Garner met as co-stars in 2003's "Daredevil." At the time, she was married to actor Scott Foley and Affleck was engaged to Jennifer Lopez. Affleck and Garner married in 2005.

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Ben Affleck through the years —

Affleck kisses Shia LaBeouf at the premiere of "The Battle of Shaker Heights," a film he and Matt Damon executive produced in 2003.

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Ben Affleck through the years —

The Massachusetts native threw the first pitch at Boston's Fenway Park in 2003.

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Ben Affleck through the years —

Affleck and Jennifer Lopez fell in love on the set of 2003's universally panned "Gigli."

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Ben Affleck through the years —

Jennifer Lopez and Affleck, dubbed "Bennifer," called off their engagement in 2004. By 2005, Affleck and Jennifer Garner were married, with a baby on the way.

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Ben Affleck through the years —

Affleck, Jennifer Garner and catcher Doug Mirabelli of the Boston Red Sox talk at a 2005 game against the New York Yankees in Boston.

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Ben Affleck through the years —

Jennifer Garner, Affleck and their firstborn, Violet, spend time together as a family in New York in 2007.

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Ben Affleck through the years —

"Gone Baby Gone" marked Affleck's directorial debut. The critically acclaimed 2007 film starred Morgan Freeman, his younger brother Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan.

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