Born in Berkeley, California, he grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he began acting as a child in local theater. He gained early recognition for co-writing and starring in "Good Will Hunting," which won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Transitioning to directing, he earned acclaim for films like "Gone Baby Gone," "The Town," and "Argo," the latter winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. Known for both his acting and directing, he continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood.