Education: Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, University of Vermont; Occidental College.

At age 8: Appeared in PBS's The Voyage of Mimi.

Awards: In 1998, Ben and childhood buddy Matt Damon won both a Golden Globe and Academy Award for their screenplay for Good Will Hunting.

Family: Ben's younger brother, Casey, is getting noticed as well, thanks to his work in two different Gus VanSant films - To Die For and Good Will Hunting. Ben's father is a drug rehabilitation counselor, and his mother is a teacher.