Ben and Casey Affleck lost both of their parents earlier this year. Casey, 51, revealed the heartbreaking news while promoting his new film, Company, at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival on Tuesday, September 8, per Page Six. The Oscar-winning actor, who directed, co-wrote and stars in the new movie, dedicated the project to his late parents, Timothy "Tim" Byers Affleck and Chris Affleck. Chris died at 83 on June 2 after battling pancreatic cancer, while the exact date of Tim's death remains unclear.

"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 said. The Manchester by the Sea star - who shares sons Indiana, 22, and Atticus, 18, with ex-wife Summer Phoenix - said the loss has also shaped how he approaches his work. "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 said.

He added that facing such personal tragedies allows artists to channel their grief into creative endeavors. "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," the actor explained during the promotional event.

The announcement drew widespread sympathy from fans and colleagues alike in the entertainment industry. Casey Affleck continues to receive praise for his multifaceted role in the film, which holds deep personal significance following the recent family losses.