Additional Coverage:
- Ben Affleck’s brother Casey confirms news both parents died this year within months of each other (themirror.com)
At the Venice Film Festival on September 8, actor and director Casey Affleck shared the poignant news that his father, Timothy Affleck, passed away earlier this year. Casey, 51, attended the event alongside his girlfriend Caylee Cowan, his sons Atticus and Indiana, and members of the cast from his latest film, Company-a Gothic vampire-themed project marking his third feature as a director. His older brother, Ben Affleck, 54, was also present in Venice to support him.
During a press conference for Company, Casey revealed that he dedicated the film to both of his parents, noting that they had both passed away in 2026. This announcement came shortly after their mother, Chris Affleck, died on June 2 at the age of 83.
“It’s dedicated to my parents because I lost both my mom and my dad this year, and they were very important to me,” Casey explained in response to a question from an Italian journalist. “I really wanted to show this movie to them, and I didn’t get to. I think they would have liked it.”
The Affleck brothers’ parents divorced when Ben was around 11 or 12 years old. Timothy Affleck had a background in acting and playwriting, having performed with the Theater Company of Boston alongside notable actors such as Blythe Danner, Robert Duvall, and Dustin Hoffman. Despite a challenging period marked by alcoholism and a variety of odd jobs, Timothy achieved sobriety in 1990 and later worked as a counselor at an alcohol rehabilitation center in California.
Ben Affleck has spoken candidly about his father’s journey to recovery, emphasizing the powerful lesson it taught him about the possibility of personal transformation. In a 2000 interview, Ben reflected, “The most enduring lesson my father taught me is the degree to which it’s possible to change your life and patterns.” In 2020, he reiterated this sentiment, calling Timothy’s sobriety “the principal lesson and legacy of his life.”
Ben has also shared insights into how his views on his parents evolved over time. “Part of being an adult is learning that your parents are just people.
They’re not perfect. They were just doing their best,” he said.
He acknowledged the complexities of childhood expectations and the effort to overcome cycles of trauma, saying, “The goal is to try and break some of these painful cycles.”
The family has faced a difficult year with the loss of Chris Affleck as well. According to the obituary released by the family, Chris was given six months to live in December 2025 and expressed a wish to see Casey’s son Atticus graduate from high school. She attended the graduation ceremony with family on May 31 and passed away two days later from cardiopulmonary arrest while visiting Casey’s home.
Casey Affleck is a father to Atticus and Indiana, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Summer Phoenix. The dedication of Company to his late parents underscores the personal significance of this project amid a year marked by profound loss.