Actors Ben Affleck and Casey Affleck made a rare joint red carpet appearance at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday evening for a screening of Company, hours after Casey announced the death of their father, Timothy Affleck.
The appearance marked a united front for the brothers during a painful period of family loss. Casey revealed earlier in the day at a festival press conference that he had lost both of his parents this year.
Ben, 54, and Casey, 51, coordinated in sharp black suits for the evening event. Ben, known for directing the Oscar-winning film Argo and starring in Gone Girl, paired his suit with a crisp white dress shirt and suede dress shoes. Casey, who won an Academy Award for his leading role in Manchester by the Sea, opted for a monochrome look with a black shirt and glossy black patent leather dress shoes.
The Venice International Film Festival, held annually on the Lido in Venice, Italy, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious film festivals. The Affleck brothers rarely attend public events together, making their joint appearance on the red carpet a standout moment of this year's festival.
Tribute at Venice Film Festival
During a press conference held earlier on Tuesday to promote his latest feature film, Company, Casey shared the news of his father's passing. The actor co-wrote, directed, and stars in the project, which premiered at the festival.
Addressing reporters, Casey explained that the movie carries deep personal significance following the loss of both of his parents in recent months.
Casey said: "It’s dedicated to my parents because I lost both my mom and my dad this year, and they were very important to me."
The director expressed regret that his parents were unable to view the finished project before their deaths. "I really wanted to show this movie to them, and I didn’t get to," Casey added. "I think they would have liked it."
Casey Affleck has built an extensive career as an actor, writer, and director in Hollywood. Beyond his award-winning turn in Manchester by the Sea, he previously wrote and directed the 2010 mockumentary I'm Still Here, which starred actor Joaquin Phoenix.
A Year of Family Loss
The loss of Timothy Affleck follows the death of the brothers' mother, Chris Anne Affleck, who died on June 2 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Her death was publicly revealed in July. It remains unclear precisely when their father Timothy passed away earlier this year.
Ben Affleck put on a brave face during the festival screening amid a year filled with loss. The Oscar-winning filmmaker shares three children with his ex-wife, actress Jennifer Garner.
In addition to their movie star sons, Timothy and his ex-wife Christine are survived by five grandchildren: Indiana, 22, Violet, 20, Atticus, 18, Fin, 17, and Sam, 14.
According to Christine's obituary published by Legacy, her grandchildren were described as "the animating force of her last two decades."
According to the publication, doctors informed Christine last December that she had six months to live. Her final wish was to see her grandson's high school graduation. She attended the ceremony this past May, and died in her sleep days later.
Father's Legacy and Defense of Sons
Timothy Affleck mostly stayed out of the limelight throughout his life, but he made an appearance in Casey's 2010 mockumentary I'm Still Here, which starred Joaquin Phoenix.
In February 2018, Timothy defended his sons against sexual harassment allegations, speaking openly to Grazia magazine about the pressures of working in the entertainment industry.
Timothy told Grazia at the time: "It has taken a toll on both of my sons. Hollywood is a disgusting place. I think that’s been a major factor in Ben’s drinking. You’re kind of forced to develop a persona that is hard to shed and go home to your family. It affects your whole life. I think that’s one of the dangers of the film industry."
The protective father also spoke candidly about his own history with substance abuse, explaining how his personal recovery informed his understanding of his son's struggles.
"I was a chronic, severe alcoholic for several years," Timothy said in the 2018 interview. "I had to recover and, happily, I did."
Timothy expressed admiration for his eldest son's commitment to sobriety, adding: "Ben has always been serious about getting sober. There is no question about that. He wants a balanced life and he is working at it."
Mother's Career in Public Education
Meanwhile, the brothers' mother, Chris Anne Affleck, established a distinguished career in public education. She graduated from Harvard University, the world-renowned Ivy League institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, earning both her undergraduate and master's degrees there.
She served as a public school teacher for 35 years until her retirement in 2008, teaching fifth and sixth grade students.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2012 about his mother, Ben said: "My mother taught public school, went to Harvard and then got her master’s there and taught fifth and sixth grade in a public school."
Chris Anne developed a sharp sense of social consciousness early in life, and "made the most of an elite education while remaining skeptical of the tightly cloistered world it represented," according to her obituary.
As the Venice Film Festival continues, the Affleck brothers stand together honoring the legacy of both of their parents during a deeply emotional week on the festival circuit.
