April 25, 2025: Ben Affleck recently took a nostalgic trip down memory lane during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, reflecting on the early days of his career when he and long-time friend and collaborator Matt Damon worked as extras on the 1989 classic Field of Dreams.
Affleck responded to a past comment made by Field of Dreams star Kevin Costner, who had said he remembered seeing the young duo on set. “Kevin is being kind saying he remembers us because we were not memorable,” Affleck joked. “It’s sweet of him to say that, but I’m pretty sure he remembers the actors with lines.”
Field of Dreams, directed by Phil Alden Robinson, starred Costner as a farmer who hears a mysterious voice prompting him to build a baseball field in his cornfield, eventually summoning the ghosts of legendary players. The film, based on W. P. Kinsella’s novel Shoeless Joe, has since become one of the most beloved baseball movies of all time.
Costner, for his part, has previously spoken about Affleck and Damon’s infectious enthusiasm on the set. “They were on fire. I do remember them, absolutely,” he had said in an interview last year, recalling the energy the two young aspiring actors brought with them.
Affleck also took the opportunity to poke fun at Damon, recalling an interview where Damon claimed he once hit a ball off the Green Monster at Fenway Park. “I was like, ‘Matt, are you remembering yourself as Kevin Costner?’” Affleck laughed.
The Air director further shared that their background gigs didn’t stop there—they were also extras in Lemon Sky, the 1988 film where Kevin Bacon met his future wife, Kyra Sedgwick. “Believe it or not,” Affleck added with a smile.
What started as uncredited roles in the background has turned into a decades-long journey of cinematic success and camaraderie for Affleck and Damon. Their story serves as a reminder of humble beginnings—and the enduring power of movie magic.