Mindy Kaling recently shared her thoughts on Ben Affleck during an event at the Paley Media Council Series, expressing her relief that Affleck hasn’t taken legal action against her over her play “Matt & Ben.” The 2002 production, co-written and starred in by Kaling alongside Brenda Withers, humorously explores the early days of Affleck and Matt Damon as they co-wrote “Good Will Hunting,” portraying a fictionalized narrative during a creative conflict.
Kaling’s performance in “Matt & Ben” eventually led to her being hired as a writer for “The Office,” a significant turning point in her career. Despite their career connections, she admitted that Affleck hasn’t been particularly fond of her portrayal in the play. Kaling recounted a memory from a Christmas party where Affleck jokingly reminded her that she “still owes [him] residuals” for the play, highlighting his good-natured reaction to the situation.
Moreover, Kaling has since met both Affleck and Damon, reflecting on her journey from an aspiring writer to a successful creator of shows like “The Mindy Project.” Although it has been six years since she last acted on screen, Kaling mentioned at the Paley event her desire to return to acting. She expressed hope to create and star in a new project similar to her past work.
This conversation underscores Kaling’s success and resilience in the entertainment industry, as well as her ability to navigate relationships with influential figures in Hollywood. As she gears up for potential future projects, fans can look forward to her creative endeavors.