Ben Affleck has shared a rare update on his personal life, stating that his children are his primary focus following his divorce from Jennifer Lopez. The actor, 54, spoke with Entertainment Tonight at the Los Angeles premiere of his new film "Animals."
When asked about dating, Affleck told the outlet, "There's not a lot of room. I'm not running around. It's just not a big priority in my life." He further expressed that he is content with being single while concentrating on his children and his work, stating, "I know what my priorities are. You can't have two things that are the most important in your life. For me, that's the kids. So that's what that is. And then I have my work, which I love."
Affleck shares three children—Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14—with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner. The former couple was married from 2005 to 2018. Affleck and Lopez rekindled their relationship in 2021, after initially separating in 2004. They married in Las Vegas in July 2022, followed by a larger ceremony in Georgia in August 2022. Lopez filed for divorce on the two-year anniversary of their Georgia wedding, with the divorce finalized in early 2025.
Despite the split, Affleck indicated that he and Lopez have maintained a positive relationship, particularly concerning their children. "For the record, Jennifer Lopez is spectacular. Great to my kids, great ongoing relationship with them," he said. He also expressed affection for her children, whom she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony, calling them "wonderful."
Affleck recently commented on his children's reaction to his relationship advice. During an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," he noted that his teenage children often dismiss his attempts to offer advice, with his 17-year-old son remarking, "Oh, like you're the expert on relationships?" Affleck described realizing he has become a "caricature" in his children's eyes.
Initially, Affleck and Garner were slated to co-star in "Animals," with Kerry Washington ultimately replacing Garner. Affleck explained that he and Garner decided against co-starring to avoid the audience's preconceptions affecting the film. However, he expressed a desire to collaborate with his ex-wife in the future, stating, "I would love to work with her, frankly. She's fabulous, and we're really good friends."
"Animals," a crime thriller directed by Affleck and produced in part by Matt Damon, is set to be released on Netflix on October 9. The film's premise follows a mayoral candidate and his wife who resort to extreme measures to pay their son's ransom, uncovering dark secrets.