The Good Will Hunting Cast: Where Are The Oscar Winners Now? (2025 Update)

Few films have had the seismic impact on Hollywood careers as 1997's Good Will Hunting, catapulting its young writers and stars, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, into instant stardom and earning a posthumous Oscar for the legendary Robin Williams. More than a quarter-century later, the story of the mathematical genius from South Boston remains a cultural touchstone, and the careers of its ensemble cast have only grown, with many of them leading some of the biggest franchises and television hits of the 2020s. This comprehensive update, current as of December 2025, reveals the latest projects, awards, and surprising new roles for the actors who brought this Academy Award-winning drama to life.

The film’s legacy is defined by its raw emotional power and the genuine chemistry between the cast members, many of whom were real-life friends from Boston. Their current work—from major Netflix thrillers and blockbuster sequels to critically acclaimed television series—proves that the talent discovered in the halls of MIT and the Southie bars of Good Will Hunting continues to dominate the entertainment landscape.

The Core Cast of Good Will Hunting: A Complete Biography and Filmography Update

The success of Good Will Hunting was built on the shoulders of its five central figures, each delivering a career-defining performance that resonated with audiences and critics alike. Here is a look at the actors who anchored the film, their roles, and their extensive career profiles.

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• Matt Damon (Will Hunting):
  • Role: Will Hunting, a self-taught genius working as a janitor at MIT.
  • Born: October 8, 1970, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  • Key Career Highlights: Oscar winner for Best Original Screenplay (with Ben Affleck), Oscar nominee for Best Actor (Good Will Hunting), Best Supporting Actor (Invictus), and Best Picture (as a producer for Manchester by the Sea). Known for the Bourne franchise, The Martian, and Oppenheimer.
• Robin Williams (Dr. Sean Maguire):
  • Role: Dr. Sean Maguire, a community college psychology professor and Will's therapist.
  • Born/Died: July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014.
  • Key Career Highlights: Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor (Good Will Hunting). Known for Dead Poets Society, Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, and Patch Adams. His performance in Good Will Hunting remains his only competitive Academy Award win.
• Ben Affleck (Chuckie Sullivan):
  • Role: Chuckie Sullivan, Will's best friend and construction worker from South Boston.
  • Born: August 15, 1972, Berkeley, California.
  • Key Career Highlights: Oscar winner for Best Original Screenplay (with Matt Damon) and Best Picture (as a producer/director for Argo). Known for Gone Girl, The Town, and playing Batman in the DCEU.
• Minnie Driver (Skylar):
  • Role: Skylar, a Harvard student and Will's love interest.
  • Born: January 31, 1970, London, England.
  • Key Career Highlights: Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actress (Good Will Hunting). Known for The Riches, Grosse Pointe Blank, and Speechless.
• Stellan Skarsgård (Professor Gerald Lambeau):
  • Role: Professor Gerald Lambeau, the Fields Medal-winning MIT mathematics professor who discovers Will.
  • Born: June 13, 1951, Gothenburg, Sweden.
  • Key Career Highlights: Known for his extensive work in both European and American cinema, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Mamma Mia!, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Dr. Erik Selvig), and the *Dune* franchise (Baron Harkonnen).

The Boston Boys and The Mentors: Recent and Upcoming Projects (2025/2026)

The central theme of Good Will Hunting is mentorship and friendship, and the careers of its stars continue to reflect those bonds and lessons. The years 2025 and 2026 are proving to be exceptionally busy for the cast, with several major collaborations and new ventures.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck: The Enduring Partnership

The friendship between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, which started in childhood, remains one of Hollywood's most successful collaborations. They continue to write, produce, and star together, leveraging their shared Oscar-winning history.

• Upcoming Collaborations: The pair are set to star in the crime thriller The Rip, a Netflix project, which is highly anticipated for 2025. This marks another major joint project following their success with the production company Artists Equity and the film Air.
• Matt Damon's Solo Slate: Damon is attached to major projects, including a potential sixth installment in the Jason Bourne franchise in 2025 and a new film from director Christopher Nolan, expected to begin filming in early 2025 for a 2026 release.
• Ben Affleck's Solo Slate: Affleck is returning to his successful action-thriller roots with The Accountant 2, which is slated for release in April 2025. He also served as a producer on the 2024 film The Instigators.

The International Stars: Driver and Skarsgård

Minnie Driver and Stellan Skarsgård, who played the British-born Skylar and the Swedish Professor Lambeau, respectively, have found remarkable success in both film and television.

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• Minnie Driver on Screen and Stage: Driver has secured roles in major streaming hits. She is set to appear in the Netflix series Run Away, scheduled to air in November 2025, and has joined the cast of the hit series Emily in Paris for its fifth season. Beyond the screen, she is also starring in the stage play Every Brilliant Thing in London's West End through late 2025.
• Stellan Skarsgård's Acclaim: Skarsgård continues his career with high-profile roles. He is a key figure in the critically acclaimed Star Wars series Andor. In 2025, he received the prestigious Crystal Globe at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival and starred in the drama Sentimental Value.

The Supporting Cast: From Southie Friends to TV Icons

The film's authenticity was cemented by the actors playing Will's loyal, working-class friends, Chuckie Sullivan, Billy McBride, and Morgan O'Mally. Many of these actors have gone on to forge successful careers, with one in particular becoming a massive television star.

Cole Hauser (Billy McBride)

Cole Hauser, who played Billy McBride, one of Will's closest friends, has experienced a career resurgence that has made him a household name for a new generation of viewers.

• The Rip Wheeler Phenomenon: Hauser is now globally recognized for his role as the rugged and fiercely loyal ranch foreman Rip Wheeler in the massive hit television series Yellowstone. His performance as Rip has become one of the most iconic roles on television in the 2020s, a stark contrast to his earlier Boston-based character.

Casey Affleck (Morgan O'Mally)

Casey Affleck, Ben Affleck’s younger brother, was another of Will’s friends in the film, playing Morgan O'Mally. Like his brother and Matt Damon, Casey Affleck has achieved significant critical success.

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• Oscar-Winning Career: Casey Affleck won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 2016 drama Manchester by the Sea, solidifying his status as one of the most respected actors of his generation. His filmography includes appearances in the *Ocean's* film series and other Gus Van Sant films like Gerry.

The Enduring Legacy of Robin Williams and the Script's Origin

No discussion of the Good Will Hunting cast is complete without acknowledging the monumental performance of Robin Williams as Dr. Sean Maguire, a role that earned him his only Oscar. His legacy of humor and humanity continues to inspire the cast and filmmakers.

• The Oscar-Winning Performance: Williams' portrayal of the compassionate, grieving therapist provided the emotional core of the film, earning him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film’s director, Gus Van Sant, has shared anecdotes about Williams' on-set improvisations, which brought both comedy and genuine emotion to the scenes with Matt Damon.
• Script's Humble Beginnings: The film's script, which won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, famously began as a 40-page assignment for a playwriting class Matt Damon took during his fifth year at Harvard University. Damon and Ben Affleck then spent ten years developing and refining the story, a testament to their dedication to the project that would ultimately launch their careers. The early success of the script, which was initially shopped around Hollywood, is a legendary story in the film industry.

From the Boston streets to the biggest stages in Hollywood, the Good Will Hunting cast has proven that their early success was no fluke. With major new releases scheduled for 2025 and beyond, their collective influence on film and television remains as strong as ever.