Ben Affleck Shares Insights on Parenting Teens
Ben Affleck has opened up about his experiences as a father to teenagers, reflecting on his unexpected journey into parenthood. In a recent conversation on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the 54-year-old actor shared that he never anticipated he wouldn’t be seen as the cool dad.
He gave an example from a dinner conversation with his kids, where they were discussing their friends and various relationship dramas. Affleck felt he had valuable life lessons to share, but then his 17-year-old child shot back, “Oh, like you’re the expert on relationships?” It was a reality check that left him a bit taken aback.
Affleck, who has three children—Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14—with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, reflected on his and Garner’s decade-long marriage, which ended in separation in 2015 and was finalized in 2018. He also talked about his past relationships, including those with Lindsay Shookus and Shauna Sexton, before his romance with Ana de Armas, which lasted from late 2019 to early 2021. More recently, he rekindled his relationship with Jennifer Lopez, whom he originally dated from 2002 to 2004. They got engaged in April 2022 and married that July.
Despite his marital ups and downs, Affleck emphasized the importance of living a life that sets a good example for their children. In one of her newsletters, Lopez mentioned striving to operate from a place of love and respect, highlighting their commitment to being proud parents.
However, not everything has been smooth in their personal lives. In August 2024, Lopez filed for divorce after just over two years of marriage.
During his chat with Kimmel, Affleck also mentioned that he had approached Garner to play his love interest in his newest film, “Animals,” but she declined the role. He recounted her response: “Great, but no, I’m not gonna play your wife in a movie.” He acknowledged that perhaps this was for the best, given their history.
After Garner’s refusal, Affleck cast Kerry Washington for the film, which he directed and co-wrote. The story revolves around a couple who will go to great lengths to save their child from a kidnapping.
