Ben Affleck Talks About Parenting Teens and His Relationships

Ben Affleck openly discussed the challenges of being a parent to teenagers during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” The 54-year-old actor explained how parenting teenagers can be a difficult task, especially when he finds himself on the receiving end of their jokes.

Affleck shared a specific instance when he attempted to offer relationship advice to his children. He recounted how his 17-year-old responded sarcastically, questioning his authority on relationships due to his own relationship history.

“The 17-year-old just turns to me and goes, ‘Oh, like you’re the expert on relationships?'” Affleck said.

Affleck and his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, have three children: Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14. Although the couple divorced in 2018 after more than a decade of marriage, they have maintained a co-parenting relationship.

Beyond his relationship with Garner, Affleck has had several notable relationships. He dated Lindsay Shookus of “Saturday Night Live” and Playboy model Shauna Sexton. In 2019, he was seen with actress Ana de Armas, whom he dated until early 2021. Following this, he rekindled his relationship with his former fiancé, Jennifer Lopez.

Affleck and Lopez originally dated from 2002 to 2004. They reconnected in April 2021, made their relationship Instagram official in July of that year, got engaged by April 2022, and were married in July. After over two years, Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024.

In her newsletter, Lopez expressed contentment, stating, “We really live our lives in a way we can be proud of and our kids can be proud of.” She emphasized that they operate from a “place of love and respect for everyone in our lives.”

During the show, Affleck revealed that Jennifer Garner had declined an offer to play his love interest in his latest film, “Animals.” He acknowledged her decision, saying it was likely for the best, and eventually cast Kerry Washington in the role. The film, directed and co-written by Affleck, follows a couple’s efforts to secure their son’s ransom.