8 things to know about Kick Kennedy amid Ben Affleck dating rumors: From historic name to acting career

8 surprising facts you probably didn’t know about Kick Kennedy: From thrill lover to philanthropist

Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy is a name that’s been buzzing a lot lately. As the eldest daughter of Robert F Kennedy Jr and a granddaughter of the iconic Robert F Kennedy, Kick has always been in the public eye. But instead of following the family's traditional path into politics, this 36-year-old has taken a whole different route—bringing together Hollywood glam and a love for philanthropy. And now, with rumors swirling about a blossoming relationship with none other than Ben Affleck, Kick Kennedy is officially on everyone’s radar. Here’s the inside scoop on this Kennedy who’s making waves in her own way.

1. A name with history

When you’re born a Kennedy, the name you carry says it all. Kick Kennedy was born Kathleen Alexandra Kennedy on April 13, 1988, but she was always destined to be known as "Kick'" The nickname is a nod to her great-aunt, Kathleen "Kick" Agnes Kennedy—a name that’s steeped in both charm and tragedy. The original Kick Kennedy was a sister to President John F Kennedy and was known for her bold spirit—a trait that didn’t always sit well with her famously conservative family. She shocked everyone by marrying Protestant Billy Hartington and it led to a dramatic family fallout. Tragically, she died in a plane crash at just 28, and the Kennedy clan reportedly didn’t attend her funeral. The younger Kick Kennedy has often drawn comparisons to her great-aunt, especially considering her fearless approach to life. In a revealing 2012 interview with Town & Country, she reflected on this connection. “I always thought Dad and I were the same person, but I got fascinated by Kick a few years ago, and it’s funny how similar we are," she told the outlet. "She was fun and social and a performer in many ways." She quipped, "Of course, I don't think my parents would ever call my own death divine retribution. Well, maybe if I became a Republican." But unlike her great-aunt, Kick’s still got her family by her side.

2. Growing up with five siblings

Life as a Kennedy is never dull, and for Kick, growing up as one of six siblings in a famous political dynasty was a whirlwind of public scrutiny amid private challenges. Born to Robert F Kennedy Jr and his first wife, Emily Ruth Black, Kick and her brother Bobby’s early years were spent navigating the constant media attention. After her parents split in 1994, her father remarried Mary Richardson, and the family expanded to include four more siblings—Conor, Kyra, Aidan, and William "Finn" Kennedy. Tragedy struck in 2012 when Mary Richardson took her own life. Kick, who was then a student at Stanford University, flew home immediately to be with her siblings. Despite the loss, the bond between the Kennedy siblings has remained strong. They’ve been seen together at various events, including a powerful appearance in 2018 at the 50th anniversary of the Poor People’s Campaign in Mississippi, where Kick and Conor spoke passionately about social justice.

3. Kick Kennedy's love for thrills and the great outdoors

If there’s one thing you can’t accuse Kick Kennedy of, it’s living a boring life. The daughter of a master falconer and environmental activist, Kick was practically born with a love for the wild. During her time at Stanford, she embarked on a high-profile hike up Mount Kilimanjaro with actors Emile Hirsch and Jessica Biel to raise awareness about the global water crisis. In a 2014 chat with Resident, Kick recalled how she was always surrounded by a menagerie of animals. “Dogs and cats and chickens and alligators,” she listed off, laughing about how her classmates were often taken aback by her wild tales. She recounted, "I thought it was pretty normal to run around the woods building forts with my crow that was trained to say 'Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy' or have an alligator wound, etcetera. My classmates were quick to correct me. I think they were a little off-put."

4. Brief stint as an actress

It wouldn’t be a Kennedy story without a touch of Hollywood. Though she majored in history at Stanford, Kick had her sights set on an acting career after graduation. She landed a few roles in some pretty big-name TV shows, including 'Gossip Girl', 'The Newsroom', and even an episode of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', where she shared the screen with her stepmother, Cheryl Hines. But despite her early success, Kick quickly realized that fame wasn’t what she was after. “I was born with a sticker—a name—that has made me totally uninterested in the fame factor of success,” she candidly shared with Town & Country. “I see all my actor friends really going for it in that way because it’s such a big part of the job, but it kind of turns me off. I’m frightened of it, or at least uninterested, unamused.”

5. Not so impressed with Taylor Swift

Remember that time Taylor Swift was practically a Kennedy? It was 2012, and the pop superstar was making headlines for her summer romance with Conor Kennedy, Kick’s younger brother. The media frenzy was intense, with Swift often spotted at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port. But while the world was fangirling over this unlikely match, Kick herself remained unfazed by Swift’s presence. In a 2014 interview with Page Six, Kick played it cool when asked about her brother’s famous ex. “Yeah, she’s really sweet,” Kick said, but she wasn’t exactly starstruck. “It was a moment, really. But we always have exciting things going on—exciting people to meet.”

6. Wild childhood memories with dad

Kick’s childhood was filled with some rather offbeat moments, thanks in large part to her father’s eccentricities. One story, in particular, stands out as pure Kennedy lore: the time her dad took her to the beach to collect the head of a dead whale. In an interview with Town & Country in 2012, Kick recounted how her dad—who has a thing for animal skulls and skeletons—used a chainsaw to remove the whale’s head and then bungee-corded it to the roof of their family minivan. The journey home was anything but pleasant. “Every time we accelerated on the highway, whale juice would pour into the windows of the car, and it was the rankest thing on the planet,” Kick recalled. “We all had plastic bags over our heads with mouth holes cut out, and people on the highway were giving us the finger, but that was just normal day-to-day stuff for us.”

7. Kick Kennedy’s passion for philanthropy

After her brief stint in Hollywood, Kick found her true calling in philanthropy. Environmental causes, in particular, have been at the forefront of her work—a passion inherited from her father. Growing up, she was immersed in discussions about water conservation and environmental protection. These subjects would later become central to her activism. “I’ve been really connected to water issues since I can remember, as my father made it his passion,” Kick told Resident. "We knew what PCPs were before we knew how to tie our shoes. I've also spent so much time on the water, whether it's sailing with friends and family or doing a river cleanup on the Hudson."

8. Rumors about Ben Affleck

And now, for the latest chapter in Kick Kennedy’s life—a possible romance with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Ben Affleck. The rumor mill started churning earlier this month—just days after her father stepped out of the presidential race and Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck. Multiple sources told People that Kick and Affleck are “getting to know one another,” with one insider claiming that the two are “in the same scene” and that “Kick’s celeb crush has always been Ben.” The insider also described Kick as a "partier" who "likes to have a good time." However, not everyone’s convinced. Another source told the outlet that there’s “definitely nothing going on” between them.