Ben Affleck Named Entertainment Weekly's 'Entertainer of the Year'

Entertainment Weekly has named Ben Affleck its 'Entertainer of the Year.' The actor recently starred and directed the hit film 'Argo,' a political thriller which follows the covert CIA operation that freed six diplomats from Tehran during the 1970's Iran hostage crisis.

Commenting on Argo's success, Affleck shared, "I had very low expectations for Argo's performance. I just hoped that over time people would find the movie. Also, being at a place in my life and my career where I know what I'm trying to do, it's different than being 26. When you're younger and have the early success that I had - it sounds like the worst Hallmark cliche - but I didn't have anyone to share it with. I don't mean I wanted someone to sit by the fire with. But when you have a family and children, you kind of see yourself reflected in them. I want to make the kinds of movies that my kids are proud of. I have higher standards, in a way, for them."

Affleck became known with his performances in such Kevin Smith films as Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997) and Dogma (1999). He won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the screenplay for Good Will Hunting (1997), which he co-wrote with Matt Damon, and has appeared in lead roles in such popular hits as Armageddon (1998), Pearl Harbor (2001), Changing Lanes (2002), The Sum of All Fears (2002), Daredevil (2003), Hollywoodland (2007), State of Play (2009) and The Town (2010).

The critically acclaimed director has helmed Gone Baby Gone (2007), The Town (2010) and Argo (2012),playing the lead in the latter two films. He has worked with his younger brother, actor Casey Affleck, on several projects, including Good Will Hunting and Gone Baby Gone.