Ben Affleck completed his transformation from J.Lo ex and ridiculed action hero to all around good guy on Friday when he spoke at the graduation of a disabled young fan. Affleck befriended then 10 year-old Joe Kindregan at Dulles Airport in 1998 while filming a scene for Forces of Nature. The wheelchair-bound Kindregan suffers from the rare genetic disease ataxia-telengiectasia. Affleck struck up a conversation with Kindregan, and has since invited him to visit the set of every movie he’s worked on. Affleck has also helped raise money for research into the degenerative disease afflicting Kindregan.

Affleck spoke at the Fall Church, Virginia high school graduation to the delight of students and parents, and was given a standing ovation afterwards. Affleck’s wife Jennifer Garner was in the audience and was seen wiping away tears during her husband’s speech.

“Everything I learned about life that really matters … I learned from Joe,” Affleck told the audience.

Kindregan suffers from ataxia-telengiectasia, a rare, degenerative genetic disease. Over the past decade, Affleck has helped Kindregan raise money to develop a cure for the disease.

The close nature of the pair’s friendship was evident at Friday’s ceremony; Affleck planted a kiss on Kindregan’s forehead after being introduced and later playfully swatted him with a rolled-up program.

The two met in 1998 when the Kindregans came to Dulles International Airport to watch a crew shoot the film “Forces of Nature,” which starred Affleck. The actor noticed Kindregan, then 10 years old, in his wheelchair and struck up a conversation.

Affleck jokingly explained to the 284 graduating seniors — who most likely never saw the film — that “it was very similar to another movie called “Citizen Kane.'”

Affleck said Kindregan has since been on the set of all of his films — “He liked being on the set of `Daredevil’ a lot more than being on the set of (box-office bomb) `Gigli.’ But he was too polite to mention it,” Affleck said.

Kindregan introduced Affleck to the audience by saying “He is married to the cutest girl (
Jennifer Garner) … but most important he is the best friend you could ever have.” Kindregan declined to be interviewed.

Affleck, dressed in a traditional graduation gown, sat on the dais next to Kindregan and other school officials and shook hands with students who came up on stage to receive their diplomas. A few were bold enough to ask for a hug, and Affleck obliged.

[From Yahoo! News]

That’s really kind of Affleck. Although there have been some stories about his friendship with the disabled teen, he didn’t milk it for publicity and seems to have a real friendship with him. It’s impressive that he invited Kindregan to all of his movie sets.

Affleck’s career is on a comeback after he took a lot of high-paid roles that weren’t the best choices for him. He’s married to the genuinely lovely Jennifer Garner and has really taken to family life with their one and a half year-old daughter, Violet.

Thanks to Oh No They Didn’t for linking this story.

Pictures from WENN.