Casey Affleck revealed Tuesday that his father, Timothy “Tim” Byers Affleck, died earlier this year. The announcement came during a press conference for his latest film, “Company,” at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival.
Casey Affleck Honors Parents at Venice Film Festival
The 51-year-old actor, who directed, co-wrote, and stars in “Company,” dedicated the project to both of his parents.
“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 shared while speaking on a panel. The exact date of Timothy Affleck’s death remains unclear; he was born on March 21, 1950. Representatives for the Affleck brothers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“I really wanted to show this movie to them, and I didn’t get to,”
Casey lamented during his remarks.
“I think they would have liked it.”
The brothers’ mother, Christopher “Chris” Anne Affleck, died in June at age 83 following a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Family Legacy and Artistic Expression
Casey’s sons, Indiana Affleck, 22, and Atticus Affleck, 18 — whom he shares with ex-wife Summer Phoenix — also appear in “Company.” Reflecting on the intersection of grief and creativity, the father of two offered a vulnerable perspective on the artistic process.
“The good thing about being an artist, the best thing maybe, is that you can take all of the hardest experiences in your life and put it into your work, and it just makes you better,”
he marveled during the press conference.
“If you’re willing to face it all, be honest about it all and show up vulnerably with those feelings and allow for the fact that you might not be able to really fully understand them, but you’re willing to put them into what you’re making, it’s a blessing.”
Timothy Affleck’s Journey and Influence
Timothy Affleck worked various jobs throughout his life, including as a janitor, auto mechanic, and bartender. In his later years, he dedicated himself to recovery after battling alcoholism. Ben Affleck, 54, has spoken publicly about his father’s sobriety and its impact.
“My father has 30 years of sobriety, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for what that takes and what that means,”
Ben told People in February 2020.
“Part of being an adult is learning that your parents are just people. They’re not perfect. They were just doing their best. As a child, we expect perfection out of our parents.”
Ben, who has navigated his own path to sobriety, credits his father with demonstrating that lasting change is achievable.
“The most enduring lesson my father taught me is the degree to which it’s possible to change your life and patterns,”
the actor-director told the New York Times in September 2000.
“It gives me hope that with the right amount of work and discipline, I can address and remedy some of the things I don’t like very much about myself.”
Casey Affleck is also a recovering alcoholic.
Parental Support for the Arts
The Affleck siblings have previously said their parents — who divorced around 1984 — encouraged them to pursue the arts while ensuring they understood the industry’s challenges. Timothy Affleck was notably an aspiring playwright.
Ben has praised his mother for raising him and Casey in Massachusetts after the divorce, noting he had limited contact with his father — who moved to California — during his teenage years. The two later reconnected after Timothy sought treatment.
“My dad’s a good man,”
Ben told Rolling Stone in April 2004.
“We have a good relationship.”
