Casey Affleck Reflects on Shared Birthday Celebrations with Brother Ben as He Nears 50
Casey Affleck, known for his remarkable acting career, recently opened up about his unique birthday traditions with his older brother, Ben Affleck. As Casey approaches his 49th birthday on August 12, just three days before Ben’s birthday, he’s eager to reclaim the celebration after years of sharing it.
At the New York City premiere of his new film, The Instigators, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Casey spoke with ET’s Rachel Smith about his upcoming birthday. Reflecting on his childhood, Casey shared, “Growing up, we always had to share a single birthday party. It was just one celebration for the two of us.”
However, this tradition didn’t carry into adulthood. “Not so much,” Casey noted. “Once we had kids, my birthday became less significant. It was always about the kids. But now that they’re moving out, maybe it’s time to reclaim my birthday. This year, I’m throwing myself a party!”
Casey, currently in a long-term relationship with actress Caylee Cowan, has two sons from his previous marriage to Summer Phoenix: 20-year-old Indiana and 16-year-old Atticus. On the other hand, Ben Affleck shares three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner: daughters Violet, 19, and Seraphina, 15, and son Samuel, 12.
As Casey looks forward to his milestone 50th birthday next year, he’s also focusing on his professional growth. “I want to keep working with people I love and collaborate with new talents. I’m less interested in climbing the career ladder and more focused on personal challenges and projects that I’m passionate about,” Casey explained. He expressed a desire to delve deeper into writing, directing, and acting, aiming to explore these creative avenues before technology like AI and TikTok dominate the industry.
The Instigators has been a particularly rewarding project for Casey. Not only does he star in the film alongside his longtime friend Matt Damon and girlfriend Caylee, but he also co-wrote the screenplay with Chuck Maclean. Filming in Boston, where the crime caper is set, added another layer of fulfillment for Casey.
Reflecting on the experience, Casey shared, “I’ve been in this industry for 38 years with many ups and downs. But standing on set in my hometown, working with people I love and admire, felt incredibly lucky. It’s the kind of moment where you expect to wake up from a dream.”
The Instigators, directed by Doug Liman, features a stellar cast including Hong Chau, Paul Walter Hauser, Michael Stuhlbarg, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, Ron Perlman, and Jack Harlow. The film is set to hit select theaters on August 2 before streaming on Apple TV+ starting August 9.
As Casey Affleck approaches his 49th birthday, he’s not only celebrating another year but also a renewed focus on personal and professional fulfillment. With his sights set on future projects and meaningful collaborations, Casey is ready to embrace the next chapter of his life and career.
