Editing Ben Affleck (section)

==Personal life==

===Relationship with Jennifer Garner===
[[File:Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner 2013 Golden Globe Awards (8378777915) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Affleck and [[Jennifer Garner]] at the [[70th Golden Globe Awards]] in 2013]]
Affleck was married to actress [[Jennifer Garner]] from 2005 to 2018. They began dating in August 2004,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Engaged |url=https://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-and-jennifer-garner-engaged/ |work=People |access-date=April 14, 2017 |date=April 19, 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102146/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C1051815%2C00.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> having established a friendship on the sets of ''Pearl Harbor'' (2001) and ''Daredevil'' (2003).<ref>{{Cite news|title=Scoop – Vol. 62 No. 13 |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20145517,00.html |work=People |access-date=April 14, 2017 |date=September 27, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102442/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0%2C%2C20145517%2C00.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> They were married on June 29, 2005, in a private [[Turks and Caicos Islands|Turks and Caicos]] ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Under the Radar |url=https://people.com/premium/under-the-radar/|work=People |access-date=April 14, 2017 |date=July 7, 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101748/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C1080007_3%2C00.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> [[Victor Garber]], who officiated the ceremony, and his partner, Rainer Andreesen, were the only guests.<ref name="FrankTalk">{{Cite magazine|last1=Smith |first1=Krista |title=Exclusive: Jennifer Garner's Frank Talk About Kids, Men, and Ben Affleck |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/jennifer-garner-talks-kids-career-ben-affleck |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=April 14, 2017 |date=February 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111162819/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/jennifer-garner-talks-kids-career-ben-affleck |archive-date=January 11, 2017}}</ref> Affleck and Garner have three children together.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/ben-jens-baby-violet-settles-in/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223556/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C26334%2C1139179%2C00.html|archive-date=March 3, 2016|title=Ben & Jen's Baby Violet Settles In |date=December 8, 2005|work=People|access-date=March 17, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Rosie Marder Contributing Entertainment |date=April 10, 2024 |title=Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner's middle child reveals new name |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ben-affleck-jennifer-garners-child-reveals-new-name-1889044 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref><ref name="son">{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/parents/jennifer-garner-ben-affleck-baby-born/|title=Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck Welcome Third Child |work=People |date=February 29, 2012|access-date=February 28, 2012|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229094753/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20560766%2C00.html|archive-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref>

They publicly announced their separation in June 2015,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-and-jennifer-garner-are-getting-divorced/|title=Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Divorcing After 10 Years of Marriage |work=People |first1=Michelle |last1=Tauber |first2=Elizabeth |last2=Leonard |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630204223/http://www.people.com/article/ben-affleck-jennifer-garner-split |archive-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> with Affleck continuing to live in a guesthouse at the family home until mid-2017.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck Has Officially Moved Out: The Kids 'Have Been to Ben's New House,' Source Says |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-officially-moves-out-kids-visit-new-house/ |access-date=November 2, 2019 |work=People |language=en}}</ref> They jointly filed for divorce in April 2017, seeking joint physical and legal custody of their children.<ref name="divorce">{{Cite news|last1=Russian |first1=Ale |title=Jennifer Garner Officially Files for Divorce from Ben Affleck |url=https://people.com/celebrity/jennifer-garner-ben-affleck-divorce/|work=People |access-date=April 13, 2017 |date=April 13, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413230557/http://people.com/celebrity/jennifer-garner-ben-affleck-divorce/ |archive-date=April 13, 2017}}</ref> They jointly hired a mediator to help them negotiate a financial settlement<ref>{{cite news |last1=La Ferla |first1=Ruth |title=Laura Wasser, She Who Will Cleave the Union of Kim and Kanye |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/style/laura-wasser-kim-kardashian-divorce.html |access-date=April 1, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=April 1, 2021}}</ref> and the divorce was finalized in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/a23622544/ben-affleck-jennifer-garner-finalize-divorce/|title=Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Finalize Their Divorce|last=Barbour|first=Shannon|work=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]|date=October 5, 2018|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> In 2020, Affleck described the divorce as "the biggest regret of my life"<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Brooks |title=Ben Affleck Tried to Drink Away the Pain. Now He's Trying Honesty. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/movies/ben-affleck.html |access-date=March 13, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> and "a painful experience, even if you're on the best possible terms and you agree it's the best choice."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Murfett |first1=Andrew |title=Divorce 'was very, very painful': Affleck on his breakdown and finding The Way Back |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/divorce-was-very-very-painful-affleck-on-his-breakdown-and-finding-the-way-back-20200302-p545z4.html |access-date=March 6, 2020 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=March 5, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

While Affleck believes paparazzi attention is "part of the deal" of stardom, he has spoken out against photographs taken at his private residence<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duke |first=Alan |date=December 10, 2013 |title=Ben Affleck: Paparazzi scare his kids |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/10/showbiz/ben-affleck-paparazzi-children/index.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> and paparazzi interest in his children specifically, who he says became the "big money" draw for photographers waiting outside his home.<ref name="content.time.com">{{Cite magazine|last=Stein |first=Joel |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2126108-4,00.html |title=Ben Affleck Directs One of the Year's Best Films |magazine=Time |date=October 15, 2012 |access-date=June 29, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530064525/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C2126108-4%2C00.html |archive-date=May 30, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, Affleck and Garner hosted an event for lawmakers at their home in support of a bill that would protect celebrities' children from harassment by photographers; their six-year-old daughter made a speech about her personal experiences.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Jennifer Garner reveals how her children were negatively impacted by her fame in rare interview |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2019051372978/jennifer-garner-reveals-children-impacted-by-her-fame/ |access-date=April 2, 2020 |work=HELLO! |date=May 13, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Garner also testified before the California Assembly Judiciary Committee in support of the bill,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Child |first=Ben |title=Jennifer Garner joins Halle Berry's fight for new anti-paparazzi law in California |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/15/jennifer-garner-halle-berry-paparazzi-law |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=January 24, 2013 |date=August 15, 2013}}</ref> which later became law. Despite the legislation, photographers still regularly waited outside their children's school and police assistance was sometimes required.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Inside Jennifer Garner's Whole New World |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1032760/instagram-fame-a-return-to-tv-and-a-thriving-romance-inside-jennifer-garner-s-whole-new-world |access-date=April 1, 2020 |work=E! Online |date=2020}}</ref> In 2014, Affleck argued in favor of United Kingdom-style legislation that requires media outlets to blur children's faces in published photos.<ref name="kinja1" /> He has said there are "real practical dangers" involved in paparazzi attention, citing Garner's longtime stalker, Steven Burky,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7741505.stm |title=Garner 'feared for family safety' |website=BBC News |date=November 21, 2008 |access-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> who was arrested in December 2009 while trying to blend in with paparazzi outside their daughter's preschool.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8596274.stm |title=Jennifer Garner 'stalker' sent to mental hospital |website=BBC News |access-date=February 12, 2017 |date=March 31, 2010}}</ref> Burky was charged with two counts of stalking, to which he pleaded [[Insanity defense|not guilty by reason of insanity]]. In March 2010, he was ruled insane, sent to California's state mental hospital, and ordered to stay away from the Affleck-Garner family for 10 years if released.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/celebrity/NATL-Judge-Finds-Accused-Ben-Affleck-Stalker-Insane-89554822.html |title=Judge Finds Accused Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Stalker Insane |first=Caitlin |last=Millat |website=[[WRC-TV]]/NBC4 |location=Washington, D.C. |date=March 30, 2010}}</ref>

===Relationship with Jennifer Lopez===
Affleck first dated [[Jennifer Lopez]] from 2002 to 2004. They became friends on the set of ''Gigli'' in December 2001,<ref name="hollywoodending">{{Cite magazine |last1=Dunn |first1=Jancee |date=April 1, 2004 |title=Ben Affleck's Hollywood Ending |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/ben-afflecks-hollywood-ending-200904/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref> having previously encountered each other at industry parties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=At home with Ben and Jen |date=July 18, 2003 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3079881 |access-date=September 4, 2021 |website=[[NBC News]] |language=en}}</ref> They began a romantic relationship in July 2002 when Lopez filed for divorce from her second husband, [[Cris Judd]]. Their relationship was extensively publicized,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 12, 2021 |title=Why is Bennifer 2.0 so exciting? Because last time, we screwed it up |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |first=Meredith |last=Blake |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-05-12/jennifer-lopez-ben-affleck-reunion-bennifer-2-0 |access-date=May 13, 2021}}</ref> with tabloids referring to the couple as [[Bennifer]], the first celebrity portmanteau of its kind.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Robinson |first=Lisa |date=August 4, 2011 |title=Jenny Back on the Block |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/09/jennifer-lopez-201109 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714073057/http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/09/jennifer-lopez-201109 |archive-date=July 14, 2016 |access-date=April 14, 2017}}</ref> They appeared together in the music video for her song "[[Jenny from the Block]]" and the film ''[[Jersey Girl (2004 film)|Jersey Girl]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Patrick |date=October 14, 2007 |title=Ben Affleck's Roller Coaster Takes a New Turn |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-oct-14-ca-affleck14-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402211123/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/oct/14/entertainment/ca-affleck14 |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dam |first1=Julie |date=November 18, 2002 |title=Jewels of Engagement |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20138503,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101212/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0%2C%2C20138503%2C00.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> Lopez's album ''[[This Is Me... Then]]'' was dedicated to and inspired by Affleck. They became engaged in November 2002<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Silverman |first1=Stephen |date=November 11, 2002 |title=Ben's Proposal 'Beautiful, Says Lopez |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,624998,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=April 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001222/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C624998%2C00.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> but their planned wedding on September 14, 2003, was postponed with four days' notice because of "excessive media attention".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Armstrong |first1=Mark |date=September 10, 2003 |title=Lopez, Affleck Postpone Weekend Wedding |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,624672,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=April 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072338/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C624672%2C00.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> They called off the engagement in January 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dagostino |first1=Mark |date=March 9, 2004 |title=Affleck on 'Good Terms' with Lopez |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=http://people.com/celebrity/affleck-on-good-terms-with-lopez/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415104106/http://people.com/celebrity/affleck-on-good-terms-with-lopez/ |archive-date=April 15, 2017}}</ref>

Affleck and Lopez remained in occasional contact in the years after their breakup and spoke highly of each other in public.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Galloway |first1=Stephen |date=October 10, 2012 |title=THR Cover: Confessions of Ben Affleck |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ben-affleck-thr-cover-argo-oscar-377611/ |access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 4, 2010 |title=Jennifer Lopez In 'Marie Claire UK': Talks Her Diet, Exes Affleck & Diddy |work=[[Huffington Post]] |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jennifer-lopez-in-marie-c_n_563212 |access-date=May 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2013 |title=Jennifer Lopez thrilled with Ben Affleck's Argo success |work=[[Hollywood.com]] |url=https://www.hollywood.com/general/jennifer-lopez-thrilled-with-ben-affleck-s-argo-success-59571717/ |access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Duboff |first=Josh |date=February 25, 2015 |title=What Did Ben Affleck Whisper in Jennifer Lopez's Ear at the Oscars? |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/02/ben-affleck-jennifer-lopez-oscars-whisper |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=May 31, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1230538092865474561|user=brooksbarnesNYT|title=On past flame Jennifer Lopez ... "She should have been nominated. She's the real thing. I keep in touch periodically with her and have a lot of respect for her. How awesome is it that she had her biggest hit movie at 50? That's fucking baller."|date=February 20, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2021|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029012251/https://twitter.com/brooksbarnesnyt/status/1230538092865474561|archive-date=October 29, 2021|url-status=live|last=Barnes|first=Brooks}}</ref>}} According to Lopez, Affleck's discomfort with the media scrutiny was one reason for their split<ref>VH1 Behind the Music, 2010</ref> and, years later, she described it as her "first real heartbreak": "I think different time, different thing, who knows what could've happened but there was a genuine love there."<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2016 |title=Jennifer Lopez Reflects on Relationship with Ben Affleck |url=http://extratv.com/2016/03/25/jennifer-lopez-reflects-on-relationship-with-ben-affleck/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221165617/http://extratv.com/2016/03/25/jennifer-lopez-reflects-on-relationship-with-ben-affleck/ |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |access-date=April 14, 2017 |publisher=Extra TV}}</ref>
Both during the relationship<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bennetts |first1=Leslie |title=BEN'S OPEN ROAD |work=Vanity Fair {{!}} The Complete Archive |url=https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/2003/3/bens-open-road |access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref> and in the months after the breakup, Affleck characterized some of the media commentary as rooted in racism, [[classism]], and [[sexism]]: "We were thought of as two different kinds of people."<ref name="hollywoodending" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adekaiyero |first=Ayomikun |date=April 14, 2022 |title=Ben Affleck once asked Jennifer Lopez if media criticism bothered her but the star said she 'expected this' |url=https://www.insider.com/ben-affleck-jennifer-lopez-media-criticism-expected-halftime-documentary-2022-6 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Insider}}</ref> In subsequent years, he pushed back against the "curious notion" that he should view the relationship as a mistake, and reflected on the prevailing tabloid culture at the time.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Woods |first1=Sean |date=October 12, 2012 |title=Q&A: Ben Affleck on Directing 'Argo' and Surviving Hollywood |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/qa-ben-affleck-on-directing-argo-and-surviving-hollywood-201472/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=May 16, 2021}}</ref> Affleck acknowledged that "there were ways I did contribute to it",<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Heath |first1=Chris |title=Ben Affleck – GQ's Filmmaker of 2012 |work=[[GQ]] |url=https://www.gq.com/story/ben-affleck-cover-story-gq-men-of-the-year-2012 |access-date=May 16, 2021}}</ref> citing the "Jenny from the Block" music video and a joint promotional interview for ''Gigli''.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Synnot |first1=Siobhan |date=May 11, 2008 |title=Why I regret rubbing suntan lotion on Jennifer Lopez's bottom, by Ben Affleck |language=en |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/regret-rubbing-suntan-lotion-jennifer-976985 |access-date=May 16, 2021}}</ref> He said neither of them "anticipated" the degree of attention they would receive: "I think Jen and I made a mistake in that we fell in love, we were excited and maybe too accessible."<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 28, 2008 |title=Affleck opens up about Lopez split |language=en |work=Irish Examiner |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30383725.html |access-date=May 17, 2021}}</ref>

Affleck and Lopez began dating again in April 2021, 20 years after they had first met.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Karen |last=Mizoguchi |title=Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck 'Spent Several Days' Together in Montana, Source Says |language=en |work=People |url=https://people.com/movies/jennifer-lopez-ben-affleck-spent-several-days-together-in-montana-source/ |access-date=October 18, 2021}}</ref> They announced their second engagement in April 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=VanHoose |first=Benjamin |date=April 12, 2022 |title=Jennifer Lopez Details Ben Affleck's 'Bubble Bath' Proposal: 'Tears Were Coming Down My Face' |url=https://people.com/movies/jennifer-lopez-details-ben-affleck-proposal |access-date=June 1, 2022 |work=People}}</ref> and were married in a Las Vegas ceremony on July 16, 2022,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garcia |first=Thania |date=July 17, 2022 |title=Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Get Married in Las Vegas |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/jennifer-lopez-ben-affleck-married-1235318479/ |access-date=July 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=VanHoose |first=Benjamin |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Ben Affleck Wrote a '12-Page Speech' for Vows to Jennifer Lopez, Kevin Smith Says: 'Very Inspiring' |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-wrote-lengthy-wedding-speech-for-jennifer-lopez/ |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=People}}</ref> hosting a larger celebration for family and friends at Affleck's Georgia house later that summer.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jen |last=Juneau |title=Jennifer Lopez Reveals New Photos from Georgia Wedding with Ben Affleck: 'This Is Heaven' |url=https://people.com/movies/jennifer-lopez-reveals-photos-from-georgia-wedding-ben-affleck/ |date=September 1, 2022 |access-date=April 1, 2023 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref> The couple separated in April 2024, with Lopez filing for divorce in August of that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Earl |first1=William |last2=Longeretta |first2=Emily |date=August 20, 2024 |title=Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce From Ben Affleck |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/jennifer-lopez-ben-affleck-divorce-1236020852/ |access-date=August 20, 2024 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820230934/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/jennifer-lopez-ben-affleck-divorce-1236020852/ |archive-date=August 20, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The divorce was finalized in February 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are officially divorced and single |url=https://apnews.com/article/jennifer-lopez-ben-affleck-divorce-jlo-a04b57db61bf7d57ad69aca4b0ecca07 |website=[[Associated Press|AP]] |access-date=22 February 2025 |location=[[Los Angeles]] |date=21 February 2025}}</ref> Affleck later said there was "no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue" involved in their divorce.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ben Affleck breaks silence on his divorce from Jennifer Lopez |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/ben-affleck-jennifer-lopez-divorce-gq-interview-rcna197971 |website=TODAY.com |language=en |date=25 March 2025}}</ref>

===Other relationships===
Affleck began dating actress [[Gwyneth Paltrow]] in October 1997 after they met at a [[Miramax]] dinner,<ref name="howardstern">{{Cite web|last1=Donnelly |first1=Matt |title=5 Gwyneth Paltrow Revelations From Howard Stern Interview: 'Iron Man's' Missing Script, Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck Breakups |url=https://www.thewrap.com/gwyneth-paltrow-howard-stern-interview-iron-man-missing-script-brad-pitt-ben-affleck-breakups/ |website=[[TheWrap]] |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=January 14, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125941/http://www.thewrap.com/gwyneth-paltrow-howard-stern-interview-iron-man-missing-script-brad-pitt-ben-affleck-breakups/ |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> and they later worked together on ''Shakespeare in Love'' (1998). Although they first broke up in January 1999, months later, Paltrow persuaded Affleck to co-star with her in ''Bounce'' (2000) and they soon resumed their relationship.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lidz |first=Frank |title=Ben Affleck Shocker: I Bargained With Devil for Fame |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/10/movies/film-ben-affleck-shocker-i-bargained-with-devil-for-fame.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=September 10, 2000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624195717/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/10/movies/film-ben-affleck-shocker-i-bargained-with-devil-for-fame.html |archive-date=June 24, 2017}}</ref> They separated again in October 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Gwyneth Talks Sex, Exes |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=101970 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=April 14, 2017 |date=January 6, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620161302/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=101970 |archive-date=June 20, 2017}}</ref> In 2015, Paltrow said they were friends.<ref name="howardstern"/>

Affleck had a long-distance relationship with New York-based television producer [[Lindsay Shookus]] from mid-2017 to mid-2018;<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck and Girlfriend Lindsay Shookus Go On Dinner Date Day After Christmas |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-and-girlfriend-lindsay-shookus-go-on-dinner-date-day-after-christmas/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Why Lindsay Shookus Broke Up with Ben Affleck: 'She Had to Let Him Hit Bottom,' Says Source |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-lindsay-shookus-inside-split/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref> they briefly dated again in early 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck and Lindsay Shookus Have Split to Spend Time with Their Families: Source |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-lindsay-shookus-split-again/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref> Shookus served as the head of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''{{'}}s talent department at the time,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bill Hader |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/bill-hader |access-date=April 10, 2020 |work=[[Interview Magazine|Interview]] |date=August 31, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/snl-producer-lindsay-shookus-exits-20-years-1235096222/ | title='SNL': Producer & Talent Chief Lindsay Shookus Exits After 20 Years | date=August 19, 2022 }}</ref> a show which Affleck has hosted [[List of Saturday Night Live guests#Five-Timers Club|five times]] since 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Cappadona |first1=Bryanna |title=Watch Ben Affleck's Top Sketches from 'Saturday Night Live' |url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/blog/2013/05/16/ben-affleck-saturday-night-live/ |work=[[Boston (magazine)|Boston]] |access-date=April 16, 2017 |date=May 16, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417080934/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/blog/2013/05/16/ben-affleck-saturday-night-live/ |archive-date=April 17, 2017}}</ref> Affleck dated Cuban actress [[Ana de Armas]], whom he met on the set of ''[[Deep Water (2022 film)|Deep Water]]'' in the fall of 2019, from early 2020 to early 2021.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Russian|first=Ale|date=January 18, 2021|title=Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas Split, Says Source: 'They Are in Different Points in Their Lives'|url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-and-ana-de-armas-split-source/|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Crabtree|first=Erin|date=January 18, 2021|title=Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas Split After Nearly 1 Year Together|magazine=[[US Magazine|US]]|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/ben-affleck-girlfriend-ana-de-armas-split/|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref>

===Health===
Affleck has both anxiety and depression,<ref name=people2020/> and has taken [[antidepressant]]s since age 26.<ref name=ABC/> He is a recovering alcoholic and follows a [[12-step program]].<ref name=mosaic/> He said he used alcohol to alleviate a constant feeling of "discomfort" and remarked that it "took me a long time to fundamentally, deeply, without a hint of doubt, admit to myself that I am an alcoholic."<ref name=barnesnyt/>

There is a history of addiction and mental illness in Affleck's family.<ref>{{Cite magazine  |title=Casey Affleck Got Candid About Ben Affleck's Alcoholism |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/09/casey-affleck-ben-affleck-rehab-alcoholism |access-date=November 1, 2019 |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=barnesnyt>{{Cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Brooks |title=Ben Affleck Tried to Drink Away the Pain. Now He's Trying Honesty. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/movies/ben-affleck.html |access-date=February 19, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> Two of his grandparents were alcoholics.<ref name="people2020">{{Cite news |last=McNeil |first=Liz |date=February 26, 2020 |title=Ben Affleck on Why He Drank: 'It Was Something I Was Doing to Avoid Painful Feelings' |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-on-why-he-drank-it-was-something-i-was-doing-to-avoid-painful-feelings/ |access-date=February 26, 2020 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref> His paternal grandmother, addicted to both alcohol and [[barbiturate]]s, died by suicide at age 46.<ref name=ABC>{{Cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRwcYKZ2YzU | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/hRwcYKZ2YzU| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Ben Affleck shares how he got better and moved on after struggles with alcohol|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=February 21, 2020}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> His paternal uncle was an addict who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.<ref name=barnesnyt/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck on the pain and catharsis of 'The Way Back' |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2020/02/27/ben-affleck-on-the-pain-and-catharsis-of-the-way-back.html |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=thestar.com |date=February 27, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> His aunt was a heroin addict.<ref name=barnesnyt/> Affleck attended [[Al-Anon/Alateen|Al-Anon]] support meetings as a child due to his father's addiction issues.<ref name=wtf>{{Cite web |title=Episode 767 – Casey Affleck |url=http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-767-casey-affleck |access-date=August 26, 2018 |work=WTF with Marc Maron Podcast |date=December 12, 2016}}</ref> His brother [[Casey Affleck|Casey]] is also a recovering alcoholic.<ref name="wtfpod.com">{{Cite news |url=http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-767-casey-affleck/ |title=Episode 767 – Casey Affleck |newspaper=WTF with Marc Maron Podcast |access-date=January 1, 2017}}</ref>

Affleck became sober in his mid-twenties, stating in a 1998 interview that alcohol was "dangerous" for him.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Mansfield|first1=Stephanie|title=Thank God for Unanswered Prayers|url=http://159.54.226.237/98_issues/980628/980628ben_affleck.html|work=[[USA Weekend]]|access-date=April 30, 2017|date=June 26, 1998|archive-date=July 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714202025/http://159.54.226.237/98_issues/980628/980628ben_affleck.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He received residential treatment for addiction in 2001 and maintained his sobriety for a "couple of years" afterward.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/entertainment/1475583.stm |publisher=[[BBC News]] |title=Ben Affleck Enters Rehab |date=August 6, 2001 |access-date=March 31, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114172950/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/entertainment/1475583.stm |archive-date=January 14, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Miller|first1=Julie|title=Ben Affleck Reveals He Recently Completed Treatment for Alcohol Addiction|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/03/ben-affleck-rehab-alcohol-addiction|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=April 14, 2017|date=March 14, 2017}}</ref> In subsequent years, he refused to discuss his alcoholism in press interviews<ref name="auto"/> and later described it as a period where he "drank relatively normally".<ref name=barnesnyt/> "I thought, 'I want to just drink like a normal person. I want to have wine at dinner.' And I was able to for about eight years."<ref name=ABC/> Affleck gradually began to drink "more and more" and, eventually, was drinking until he "passed out" on a nightly basis.<ref name=ABC/> Garner supported Affleck's struggles with alcoholism during and after their marriage and said in 2020 that attending [[Al-Anon]] meetings empowered her to change "the dance" of their relationship.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jennifer Garner on Mother Growing Up in Poverty, Fame & Marriage |url=https://www.etonline.com/jennifer-garner-on-how-her-mother-grew-up-in-poverty-fame-and-being-married-in-hollywood-155087 |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=[[Entertainment Tonight]]}}</ref> Affleck received residential treatment in 2017<ref name="GMA">{{Cite news|title=Ben Affleck Confirms 'Treatment for Alcohol Addiction' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/ben-affleck-confirms-treatment-alcohol-addiction-46140149 |access-date=March 18, 2017 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |quote=A source close to Affleck confirms he physically went to rehab, not an outpatient program. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317164617/http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/ben-affleck-confirms-treatment-alcohol-addiction-46140149 |archive-date=March 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-treatment-alcohol-addiction/ |first=Jodi |last=Guglielmi |title=Ben Affleck Reveals He Completed Rehab for Alcohol Addiction |date=March 14, 2017 |access-date=April 14, 2017 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414001831/http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-treatment-alcohol-addiction/ |archive-date=April 14, 2017 }}</ref> and, following a publicly documented relapse and intervention, again in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Weaver |first1=Hilary |title=Jennifer Garner Has Reportedly Helped Ben Affleck Return to Rehab |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/08/jennifer-garner-helps-ben-affleck-return-to-rehab |access-date=November 3, 2018 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|language=en}}</ref> He completed further outpatient treatment over the following year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Samhan |first1=Jamie |title=Ben Affleck Praises The Man Who Helped Him Through Alcoholism During Legal Issues |url=https://etcanada.com/news/469686/ben-affleck-praises-the-man-who-helped-him-through-alcoholism-during-legal-issues/ |access-date=April 2, 2023 |work=ET Canada |date=June 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402062241/https://etcanada.com/news/469686/ben-affleck-praises-the-man-who-helped-him-through-alcoholism-during-legal-issues/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In late 2019, [[TMZ]] filmed him stumbling on a Los Angeles street; he acknowledged the following day that he had a brief "slip" after over a year of sobriety.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-didnt-try-to-make-any-excuses-for-Halloween-party-relapse-source/|title=Ben Affleck 'Didn't Try to Make Any Excuses' for Halloween Party Relapse: Source|date=October 29, 2019|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|language=en|access-date=November 14, 2019}}</ref> He later described the incident as "embarrassing": "I wish it didn't happen. I really wish it wasn't on the internet for my kids to see."<ref name=barnesnyt/>

During press for ''The Way Back'' (2020), in which he plays an alcoholic, Affleck stressed that he felt "vulnerable" when talking about his addiction<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Harvilla |first1=Rob |title=The Real-Life Parallels Are Dominating Ben Affleck's 'Way Back' Press Tour |url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2020/3/5/21164714/ben-affleck-way-back-press-tour-divorce-alcoholism |access-date=December 6, 2020 |work=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] |date=March 5, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> and did not intend to "go on talking about this issue forever": "I think the value, if there is value in me talking about being a recovering alcoholic, is that that doesn't have to be who you are. That doesn't have to be the label on your head."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck covers everything from sobriety to 'Good Will Hunting' in this SXM interview |url=https://blog.siriusxm.com/ben-affleck-covers-everything-from-sobriety-to-good-will-hunting-in-this-sxm-interview/ |access-date=December 6, 2020 |work=Hear & Now |date=March 4, 2020}}</ref> In 2023, he said he often advises fellow actors to avoid speaking publicly about their addiction issues where possible: "You don't need to be anybody's poster child."<ref name=keegan/>

===Professional gambling===
[[File:Ben Affleck 2008.jpg|alt=Ben Affleck holds chips while sitting at a poker table|upright|thumb|right|Affleck at the [[2008 World Series of Poker]] in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]]]
Affleck won the 2004 California State Poker Championship, taking home the first prize of $356,400 and qualifying for the 2004 [[World Poker Tour]] final tournament.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Rene |last=Macura |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-06-22-affleck-poker_x.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017094636/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-06-22-affleck-poker_x.htm |archive-date=October 17, 2008 |title=Ben Affleck Wins $356,400 at Poker |access-date=June 10, 2008 |date=June 22, 2004 |work=USA Today}}</ref> He was one of many celebrities, along with [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] and [[Tobey Maguire]], who took part in [[Molly Bloom (author)|Molly Bloom]]'s high-stakes poker games in the mid-2000s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jessica-chastain-aaron-sorkins-mollys-game-molly-bloom-sexual-misconduct-claims-michael-cera-player-1070323|title='Molly's Game' Team Talks Making Timely Tale of Female Empowerment|first=Hilary|last=Lewi|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=December 25, 2017|access-date=December 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20171229235605/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jessica-chastain-aaron-sorkins-mollys-game-molly-bloom-sexual-misconduct-claims-michael-cera-player-1070323|archive-date=December 29, 2017}}</ref> In 2014, Affleck was asked to refrain from playing blackjack at the [[Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas)|Hard Rock Hotel]] in Las Vegas, after a series of wins aroused suspicion that he was [[Card counting|counting cards]], which is a legal gambling strategy, though frowned upon by casinos.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Leon |first1=Anya |title=Ben Affleck Banned from Blackjack at Hard Rock After Counting Cards |url=http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-banned-from-blackjack-at-hard-rock-after-counting-cards/ |work=People |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=May 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416045427/http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-banned-from-blackjack-at-hard-rock-after-counting-cards/ |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> Affleck has repeatedly denied tabloid reports of a gambling addiction.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Dunn |first1=Jancee |title=Ben Affleck's Hollywood Ending |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/ben-afflecks-hollywood-ending-20040401?page=3 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=April 1, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114180828/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/ben-afflecks-hollywood-ending-20040401?page=3 |archive-date=January 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Robbins |first1=Stephanie |title=Ben Affleck Discusses Gambling Rumors in Details |url=http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-discusses-gambling-rumors-in-details/ |work=People |access-date=April 16, 2017 |date=September 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415075531/http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-discusses-gambling-rumors-in-details/ |archive-date=April 15, 2017}}</ref>

===Religious beliefs===
Affleck came from an [[Episcopal_Church_(United_States)|Episcopalian]] family,<ref name=dyny>{{Cite news|last=McGee |first=Celia |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/nydn-features/wild-jen-ben-opens-celia-mcgee-article-1.527155 |title=Wild about Jen; Ben Opens Up to our Celia McGee |work=Daily News |location=New York |date=December 18, 2003 |access-date=September 13, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915141237/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/nydn-features/wild-jen-ben-opens-celia-mcgee-article-1.527155 |archive-date=September 15, 2014}}</ref><ref name="auto" /> but was not raised in a religious household.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pos8Z7Zwbd4&t=114s| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/pos8Z7Zwbd4| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Ben Affleck on his supportive friends in Hollywood, sobriety and new movie|work=ABC News |access-date=February 23, 2020}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> In 2008, he listed the [[Gospel of Matthew]] as one of the books that made a difference in his life.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Affleck |first1=Ben |title=Books That Made a Difference to Ben Affleck |url=http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Ben-Afflecks-Books-That-Made-a-Difference |website=[[O, The Oprah Magazine]] |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=August 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622054620/http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Ben-Afflecks-Books-That-Made-a-Difference |archive-date=June 22, 2017 }}</ref> As infants, each of his three children were baptized as members of the [[United Methodist Church]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Bob|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/arts/movies/miracles-from-heavens-jennifer-garner-on-her-emotional-role-in-miracles-from-heaven-and-keeping-it-professional|title=Jennifer Garner on her Latest Emotional Role and Keeping It Professional as a Mom, On and Offscreen|work=[[National Post]]|date=March 8, 2016|access-date=April 15, 2017}}</ref> and, from 2015 to 2020, Affleck, Garner and their children were regularly photographed at Methodist church services in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck on Being a Christian and the Need For Redemption |url=https://www.beliefnet.com/entertainment/movies/ben-affleck-on-being-a-christian-and-the-need-for-redemption.aspx |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=beliefnet.com |language=en}}</ref>

Affleck is agnostic<ref name="auto" /> and has described faith as a "struggle": "But the [[twelve-step program]] is faith-based ... Faith has served me well in recovery as an alcoholic."<ref name=mosaic/> He identifies more with the teachings of [[Buddhism]]: "I have a difficult time with the theistic aspects of [[Alcoholics Anonymous|AA]] ... One of the things I like about Buddhism is it's like, believe what you believe."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keegan |first1=Rebecca |title=Ben Affleck on 'Air,' New CEO Gig and Those Memes: "I Am Who I Am" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/feature/ben-affleck-air-production-company-grammys-memes-justice-league-1235353301/ |access-date=April 1, 2023 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 16, 2023}}</ref>

===Ancestry===
Affleck's ancestry is English, Welsh, Scottish and German, along with some Irish.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hJJVBgAAQBAJ&pg=PP4 |title=The Amazing Life of Ben Affleck |first=Matt |last=Green |via=[[Google Books]] |date=June 16, 2017 |access-date=January 10, 2018}}</ref> 

Affleck appeared on the PBS genealogy series ''[[Finding Your Roots]]'' in 2014. When told that an ancestor had been a [[slavery in the United States|slave owner]] in Georgia, Affleck responded: "God. It gives me kind of a sagging feeling to see a biological relationship to that. But, you know, there it is, part of our history ... We tend to separate ourselves from these things by going like, 'It's just dry history, and it's all over now'."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/04/23/ben-afflecks-deleted-finding-your-roots-segment-shows-his-savannah-ancestor-owned-25-slaves/ |title=Ben Affleck's Deleted ''Finding Your Roots'' Segment Shows his Savannah Ancestor Owned 25 Slaves |first=Soraya |last=McDonald |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 23, 2015 |access-date=July 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200203/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/04/23/ben-afflecks-deleted-finding-your-roots-segment-shows-his-savannah-ancestor-owned-25-slaves/ |archive-date=August 8, 2017}}</ref> Leaked emails from the [[Sony Pictures Entertainment hack|2015 Sony email hacking scandal]] showed that, after filming, Affleck felt uncomfortable about the segment, which was not included in the final broadcast.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/32431219/ben-affleck-reveals-the-name-of-his-slave-owning-ancestor |title=Ben Affleck Reveals the Name of his Slave-Owning Ancestor |work=[[Newsbeat]] |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=April 23, 2015 |access-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426042948/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/32431219/ben-affleck-reveals-the-name-of-his-slave-owning-ancestor |archive-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> The show's host, professor [[Henry Louis Gates Jr.]], stated: "We focused on what we felt were the most interesting aspects of his ancestry."<ref name="bbc.co.uk" /> An internal investigation by PBS concluded that Affleck had exerted "improper influence" over the editorial process and that the producers of the show, including Gates, had violated PBS standards by improperly withholding information. The show was temporarily postponed, resuming after a fact-checker and an "independent genealogist" were added to the show's staff. Affleck's episode was removed from the show's online archive.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Koblin |first1=John |title=A PBS Show, a Frustrated Ben Affleck, and a Loss of Face |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/26/business/media/a-pbs-show-a-frustrated-ben-affleck-and-a-loss-of-face.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626152629/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/26/business/media/a-pbs-show-a-frustrated-ben-affleck-and-a-loss-of-face.html |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 28, 2022 |date=June 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Guthrie |first1=Marissa |title=PBS' 'Finding Your Roots' Returns After Ben Affleck Scandal: "Hard Conversations," More Rigorous Process |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/pbs-finding-your-roots-returns-832976/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=February 28, 2022 |date=October 19, 2015}}</ref>

===MeToo allegations===
During the [[MeToo movement]] in 2017, Affleck was accused by two women of inappropriate behavior. Actress [[Hilarie Burton]] stated that, during an on-air appearance on ''TRL Uncensored'' in 2003, Affleck "wraps his arm around me, and comes over and tweaks my left boob". Affleck responded on Twitter: "I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/ben-affleck-apologizes-hilarie-burton-grope-accusation-article-1.3555972|title=Ben Affleck apologizes to Hilarie Burton after being accused of grabbing her breast|last=Sblendorio|first=Peter|date=October 11, 2017|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|access-date=November 21, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081041/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/ben-affleck-apologizes-hilarie-burton-grope-accusation-article-1.3555972|archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref> [[Annamarie Tendler]], a makeup artist, said that Affleck "grabbed my ass at a Golden Globes party in 2014 ... He tried to play it like he was politely moving me out of the way."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Jess |title=Annamarie Tendler Accuses Ben Affleck of More Past Misconduct |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/886352/ben-affleck-apologizes-to-hilarie-burton-for-trl-interview-misconduct-i-acted-inappropriately |access-date=August 3, 2019 |work=[[E! Online]] |date=2017}}</ref>

In response to the [[Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations|allegations of sexual assault]] against [[Harvey Weinstein]], Affleck pledged to donate any future profits from his early Miramax films to charities supporting victims of [[sexual assault]],<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Matt |title=Ben Affleck Says He'll Donate Residuals From Weinstein, Miramax Films to Charity |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/ben-affleck-weinstein-miramax-charity-1202608188/ |access-date=August 3, 2019 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=November 6, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> and said he had only been aware that Weinstein "was sleazy and a bully."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nobil |first1=Taryn |title=Ben Affleck on Harvey Weinstein: 'I Knew He Was Sleazy' |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/ben-affleck-harvey-weinstein-sleazy-groping-allegation-1202617520/ |access-date=March 5, 2020 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=November 17, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> In a tweet, actress [[Rose McGowan]] responded: "You lie."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Livsey |first1=Anna |title=Rose McGowan suspended from Twitter after Ben Affleck tweets |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/12/rose-mcgowan-twitter-suspended-ben-affleck-harvey-weinstein#maincontent |access-date=March 5, 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=October 12, 2017}}</ref> She said she met Affleck after being sexually assaulted by Weinstein during the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in 1997 and told him, while crying, that she had "just come from Harvey's and he said, 'Goddamnit, I told him to stop doing that.'"<ref name=farrow>{{Cite tweet|first=Ronan|last=Farrow|authorlink=Ronan Farrow|user=RonanFarrow|number=1235284459349561344 |title="I was crying...and I was like, 'I just came from Harvey's,' and he's like, 'God damn it. I told him to stop doing that.'" @rosemcgowan on seeing Ben Affleck after she says Weinstein assaulted her|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> In a leaked email regarding McGowan's case, Affleck stated: "I never saw Rose at any hotel in Sundance. She never told me nor did I ever infer that she was attacked by anyone."<ref>{{Cite news |title=McGowan takes a shot at Affleck for being silent on Weinstein |work=[[Canoe (website)|Canoe]] |url=https://canoe.com/entertainment/celebrity/rose-mcgowan-takes-a-shot-at-ben-affleck-for-being-silent-on-harvey-weinsteins-abuses |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312152158/https://canoe.com/entertainment/celebrity/rose-mcgowan-takes-a-shot-at-ben-affleck-for-being-silent-on-harvey-weinsteins-abuses |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |date=March 11, 2020 |language=en-CA}}</ref> In a 2019 interview, Affleck said: "I don't really want to get into other people's individual stories because I feel like those are their stories and they're entitled to tell as much or as little of those as they want. I believe Rose. I support her. I really like and admire her tenacity and I wish her the best."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Hilary |title=Ben Affleck Responds to Rose McGowan Harvey Weinstein Accusations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ben-affleck-responds-rose-mcgowan-harvey-weinstein-accusations-1059391/ |access-date=March 9, 2022 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=November 17, 2017}}</ref> In 2020, McGowan clarified her comments: "It's not like I'm raging at Ben Affleck. I never said to him, 'I was just raped.' It's just more to illustrate the point of this continual thing of everybody knowing and everybody being part of it, unwittingly or proactively."<ref name=farrow/>