See Ben Affleck When He Was 12! The A-List Actor Then and Now (PHOTOS)

Remember The Voyage of the Mimi, that 1984 educational series about a humpback whale survey you may have sat through in fifth grade science class?

If you do, you probably had a crush on C.T. Granville, the grandson of the Mimi’s captain, who was played by none other than A-list actor Ben Affleck. (Ben also starred in the sequel, in which the Mimi heads to Mexican waters to explore ancient Mayan ruins. It’s a thrill ride.)

Just look at young Affleck’s shaggy, dirty-blond ‘do! My, how times have changed...

We still find it hard to believe that Ben, who was only 12 when he filmed the math- and science-heavy PBS show, now has three children with superstar wife Jennifer Garner; an Oscar (for Best Original Screenplay with Matt Damon for Good Will Hunting); and a strong directorial career (Gone Baby Gone and The Town). His other, less swoonworthy badges of fame? Two failed Hollywood romances — one with Gwyneth Paltrow (1998-2000), the other with American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez (2002-2004) — and a 2001 stint in rehab.

It’s a good thing Bennifer didn’t work out, because Ben, 39, ended up with one of the cutest celeb families ever... rivaled only by Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s.

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