Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s youngest child, Samuel, turned 13 last week. Samuel spent his birthday night sitting courtside with his dad at an LA Lakers game, which seems like a pretty awesome way to spend your birthday. Ben also took Sam to the Got Sole Convention in Los Angeles on Saturday. Got Sole is described as “LA’s Greatest Sneaker Convention.” That sounds exactly like something a 13-year-old boy would be into.
Got Sole’s official Instagram account posted a whole bunch of pictures and videos of Ben and Samuel looking at different shoes while at the convention. It’s very clear from the videos that sneakers are Sam’s thing, not Ben’s. At one point, the man who’s showing them around asks Samuel what his favorite sneakers are. He responds that he likes the Dior Air Force or Red October. As it turns out, the Diors were at the first table they stopped at. Samuel gets so excited and shows them to his dad. Ben definitely has no idea why these shoes are such a big deal, but he acts interested. His eyes get wide as he glances at the $6,000 price tag and quips, ”That’s a lot of lawns you gotta mow there.”
Ben Affleck had the most relatable parent moment when his son was looking at an expensive pair of sneakers. The He’s Just Not That Into You actor, 52, and his son Samuel, 13, recently had a father-son outing at a sneaker convention. As soon as the two sneakerheads entered the convention space, Affleck’s son stopped to eye a pair of $6,000 Dior Air Force 1s. Once the Gone Girl star saw the price of the sneakers, his reaction was priceless.
“That’s a lot of lawns you gotta mow there,” Affleck joked, adding that his 13-year-old son only liked the shoes because they were expensive. Samuel quickly objected, saying, “No, they’re tough! I always said they look good.”
I like that Ben isn’t out there being one of those wealthy dads that opens up his wallet and buys his kid whatever they want. I never got the impression that he or Jen were those types of parents, though. And he’s right…Sam would have to mow a gazillion lawns to save up to buy those sneakers! It was his birthday weekend, though, so I hope Ben let him pick out at least one reasonably priced expensive pair.
I watched a whole bunch of the clips and Ben cracks me up in all of them. At one point, their guide asks him what his favorite sneaker is and he deflects by saying that it’s hard to pick just one. Sam ends up enthusiastically answering for him. LMAO. We’ve all been there, having to suck it up and pretend to be interested in something for our kids’ sake. He is able to hold his own when they’re talking about Air Jordans, though. Sam is clearly a sneakerhead because he drops some knowledge throughout the Insta clips. I bet he watches a lot of sneaker videos on YouTube, lol. There was one other hilarious moment when Sam spots a pair of $20,000 Travis Scott’s that were given as swag at Michael Rubin’s 4th of July White Party. He gets so excited and tells his dad, “This is what you missed out on!” Ben, JLo, and Violet Affleck were at that party and left early. You can tell Sam’s probably given his dad and sister some crap about that in the past. Too funny. I hope he had a great birthday.
Ben Affleck's Son Samuel, 12, Masters His Dad's Smolder as They Enjoy a Night Out Together at Lakers Game https://t.co/Xs6NLEpgic
— People (@people) February 28, 2025
The look on his face when he saw the cost was priceless. Yes Sam seemed to be the one who really wanted to go to this event he had all the answers.
This is all hilarious but I’m surprised they let Sam be interviewed/recorded/shared so much. I wonder if it was planned or just sprung on them.
I thought the same thing. I watched like 2 of the videos and Ben looks annoyed at the guy talking to him at times, so I bet it was sprung on them.
What is with the thirst from Ben this week? Dude, you’re past your prime. Move on. You’re one damaged POS. Using your ex and now your kid for attention is low.
He’s past his prime? That’s a pretty ageist thing to say. And no matter where he goes with his kids he’s going to be hounded by the paparazzi — that’s what happens to celebrities. And the tabloids all make sh*t up anyway, he’s not using his ex-wife or son for attention “dude”.
Sam is a cutie. Hope he doesn’t take after his dad in terms of personality and life choices.
Awww I love Sam’s enthusiasm and how he is getting to show off his shoe expertise to his dad. Ben needs to spend as much time as he can with this kid instead of chasing old flames, because these years are short and it won’t be too long Sam hits the age when Ben is not going to see him other than when Sam lopes into the kitchen to hit the fridge twice a day and will be lucky if he grunts hello to him.
Sam looks just like Ben all of a sudden! I give Ben a lot of crap, but this makes me like him more. Sounds like a really cool birthday for a 13 year old. I know A-listers get paid very well for the inconvenience but I can’t imagine being anywhere with my kid and everyone is whipping out their phones to record everything I do and say, crowding around me etc. That would drive me crazy. Then the store (and I get it it’s promotion for the store and I know this is good business sense) posting what I purchased how much money I spent etc.
The older I get the more I love being a nobody. I love my anonymity.
Okay, that last bit at the end about missing out on those $20K sneakers cracks me up. He has definitely given both his father and sister grief for missing out on those. I know that feeling well.
According to GQ Ben is a massive sneaker head. Possibly brought Sam in to it.
This reminds me of Bella Hadid getting emotional about not having any designer items until she graduated from high school. 😭😭 I understand he is trying to teach his son the importance of money, but both his parents are rich, surrounded by other rich people. There is no way he will grow up to be a “normal” kid.
Well, it’s one thing to come from a rich family then there’s trash like the Kardashians that twist and use that money and fame only for themselves.
I’m going through something like this with my sixth grader right now. She loves Lululemon and Kendra Scott, luckily she brought up that we could buy at second hand at Plato’s closet so she’s got some head on her shoulders. But it’s not easy to teach a kid the value of money.
My daughter gave my granddaughter, then 14, a monthly clothing allowance. Spend it all and nothing left until next month. Saving up for a big purchase means not spending on small, needless things. She learned a lot, including “do I really need 250$ jeans”.
Ben’s known for collecting sneakers himself, isn’t he? He probably gets sent all kinds of stuff and he wears a different set for each pap walk – so he knows his sneakers. Probably doesn’t want to be promoting a particular brand.
I just think it is great that Ben seems to have a special bond with Sam & seems to be doing well!
Fake humility is so annoying. That kid ain’t mowing any lawns