In a candid interview with Kevin Hart, Ben Affleck shared insights into his marriage to Jennifer Lopez and the challenges of navigating her intense level of fame. The “Gone Girl” star, known for his work both in front of and behind the camera, offered a rare glimpse into their family life and the impact of celebrity on their blended family.
Affleck, 51, didn’t mince words when describing the public’s reaction to his wife. “I get out with [Lopez], all the kids, through Times Square,” he recounted, “and the shit was ____ bananas. It was like the mayor [arrived].”
The actor painted a vivid picture of a recent outing in New York City, New York, that highlighted the frenzy surrounding Lopez. “She starts running backwards, filming, going, ‘JLo!'” Affleck said, describing a fan’s reaction. “It’s like a herald that then gets everyone else, and then they’re all [starstruck] tourists. Then I’m moving, we got our five kids, me and Jen, and it feels like hundreds of people — and they’re all screaming.”
The couple’s blended family includes Affleck’s three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner and Lopez’s twins from her previous marriage to Marc Anthony. Affleck revealed that even his children are aware of the unique situation they find themselves in. He shared an anecdote about one of his kids jokingly suggesting titles for a hypothetical tell-all book, with “JLo Was My Stepmother” being a memorable quip.
While Affleck is no stranger to fame himself, having been in the spotlight for decades, he admitted that the level of attention Lopez attracts is on another level entirely. “I really second-guess it a lot,” he confessed when discussing raising his children in such a high-profile environment. The actor expressed concern about the differences between his children’s upbringing and his own, noting, “I didn’t know any rich people.”
Affleck also addressed his reputation for looking unhappy or angry in paparazzi photos, explaining that his “resting hard face” often gives people the wrong impression. “I’m also a little bit shy,” he admitted. “I also don’t like a lot of attention. This is why people see me and they’re like, ‘This dude always mad!’ — because somebody has their camera and sticks it in my face and I’m … with my kids and you’re taking my picture.”
The actor’s preference for working behind the camera as a director and filmmaker stems partly from this discomfort with constant public scrutiny. Affleck emphasized that while he doesn’t mind being photographed at public events or with his wife, he’s particularly protective of his children’s privacy.
Despite the challenges, Affleck spoke warmly of his relationship with Lopez and their shared experiences. The couple, who rekindled their romance after nearly two decades apart, eloped in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2022, sparking renewed media interest in their relationship.
Affleck reflected on the public’s perception of him throughout his career, noting that people often project certain qualities onto him that he doesn’t necessarily identify with. “People are projecting something onto me that I don’t feel about myself at all,” he explained. “And one thing I do think it gives off, whether it’s a certain look or role … for a long time they’d be like, ‘This guy’s a frat guy.’ I’ve never been in a fraternity one day in my life.”
The interview provided a rare insight into the complexities of maintaining a personal life while under constant public scrutiny. Affleck’s honesty about the challenges and his efforts to protect his family’s privacy resonated throughout the conversation.
As Affleck and Lopez continue to navigate their high-profile relationship, the actor’s candid remarks shed light on the realities of celebrity life and the impact it has on family dynamics. While the couple’s fame may be “bananas,” Affleck’s down-to-earth perspective and commitment to his family remain evident.
