The Hollywood actor reflects on losing his mother and father just two months apart, saying the experience made him reconsider life, family and mortality

Ben Affleck has opened up about how he and his brother, Casey Affleck, are coping with the deaths of their parents, who passed away just two months apart.

Speaking in a recent interview with GQ, the 54-year-old actor and filmmaker described the period as a “big year” for him and his brother, admitting that losing both parents in such a short span had been difficult.

Their mother, Chris Affleck, died on June 2 at the age of 83, while their father, Timothy Affleck, died in April at the age of 76.

Reflecting on the experience, Ben said the loss had brought back memories of his childhood and prompted him to view his parents and upbringing from a different perspective. He also said it had made him think more deeply about his own mortality, his children and how he wanted to spend the remainder of his life.

The actor said the fleeting nature of life had become particularly apparent to him, making him realise that people have only a limited amount of time.

Discussing grief, Ben also reflected on how the end of life does not necessarily bring the wisdom or resolution people might expect. He noted that unresolved issues can remain unresolved, even at the end of someone’s life.

Speaking about his mother, he described her as an extraordinary and brave woman and said her death had deepened his appreciation for her and the life she lived.

The experience has also prompted Ben to reconsider how he wants to use his remaining time.

Elsewhere in the interview, the Gone Girl actor acknowledged that he had a “complicated relationship” with his father, Timothy.

Ben’s reflections offer a candid glimpse into how the loss of both parents has affected him and his brother, while highlighting the way grief can reshape a person’s understanding of family, mortality and the passage of time.