Ben Affleck has long been known as a tough action hero, but that was on the silver screen as star of Hollywood blockbusters from Armageddon to Pearl Harbor.

Now, he's playing the role of an action hero in real life—inspiring millions as a tough guy who had to be hospitalized with a migraine.

Affleck recently spent two hours in the emergency room getting treated for a painful migraine attack. He had to be driven to a Boston-area hospital by his concerned wife, fellow action star Jennifer Garner, and then recuperated at the home they're renting with their baby daughter while he's filming his directorial debut.

Thanks to his ER visit, Americans—13 percent of whom suffer from migraines—are now more aware that anybody can be stricken by such debilitating headaches. Even tough action heroes.