Inevitably, whenever Jennifer Lopez is promoting something these days, her most recent ex-husband is seen out and about, usually with his other ex-wife. Basically, if we’re getting a lot of premiere or promotional photos of J.Lo, we’ll quickly get photos of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner taking a walk or out with one of their kids. It is what it is – Garner and Affleck have always loved a pap stroll. Now, do I think Garner has anything against J.Lo at this point? Not really. It actually felt like Garner was on J.Lo’s side in the divorce in 2024. Well, Page Six had this curious story about Garner giving some advice to Ben regarding his love life.
Jennifer Garner believes Ben Affleck taking a break from dating could be the best move for her ex-husband following his divorce from Jennifer Lopez.
“Jen thinks it might actually be good for Ben to take a break from dating for a while. She cares about him a lot and only wants what’s best for him at the end of the day,” a source exclusively told Page Six. “From her perspective, he’s happier than he’s been in a long time and she feels like it could be healthy for him to keep putting that energy into himself, his work and his family instead of jumping into a relationship.”
The insider added that Garner, 54, isn’t trying to influence Affleck’s personal life, however, and would support whatever decision he ultimately makes.
“That said, she trusts Ben to make his own decisions and supports him either way,” the source said.
However, a second source told Page Six that the “Gone Girl” star, 53, isn’t completely closing the door on romance.
“Ben isn’t ruling out dating and would be open to putting himself out there again,” the source said. “He has friends who have offered to set him up, but he’s also incredibly busy right now and isn’t sure he has the time for a serious, committed relationship.”
According to the insider, the two-time Oscar winner’s main focus “at the moment” is his family and several upcoming projects, and “that’s where most of his energy is going.”
Reps for Affleck and Garner did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
Yeah, I believe all of this – I think Garner hopes that Ben stays single for a while and continues to work on himself. Ben has been in a pretty healthy place since his J.Lo divorce, focusing on work and his kids, and Garner wants that to continue. I also think this is probably the precursor to Ben falling into a new relationship. I mean, this “advice” isn’t coming out of nowhere, right? She knows Ben well enough to know his relationship cycles – he’s probably itching to get into some messy relationship.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Cover Images.
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- WEST HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – FEBRUARY 12: Jennifer Garner arrives at Apple TV+’s ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ Season 2 Tastemaker Event held at The West Hollywood EDITION on February 12, 2026 in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 1074626196, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no , Pictured: Jennifer Garner , Credit line: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon
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- Ben Affleck at the 12th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony 2026 held at the Barker Hangar on April 18, 2026 in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 1092943451, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no , Pictured: Ben Affleck , Credit line: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon
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- SANTA MONICA, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – APRIL 18: Ben Affleck arrives at the 12th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony 2026 held at the Barker Hangar on April 18, 2026 in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 1093296820, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no , Pictured: Ben Affleck , Credit line: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon
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- SANTA MONICA, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – APRIL 18: Ben Affleck arrives at the 12th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony 2026 held at the Barker Hangar on April 18, 2026 in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 1093296840, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no , Pictured: Ben Affleck , Credit line: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon
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- Los Angeles, CA – Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner reunited to support a community food drive in downtown Los Angeles, spreading goodwill and helping families on Thanksgiving! Pictured: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner BACKGRID USA 29 NOVEMBER 2024 BYLINE MUST READ: BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Los Angeles, CA – Ben Affleck gets very close to ex wife Jennifer Garner at their son Sam’s 13th birthday party at a paintball park in Los Angeles. Ben was following Jennifer around and laughing and flirting with her throughout the party. He came in close several times and kept coming up to her laughing and smiling. Pictured: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner BACKGRID USA 2 MARCH 2025 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Los Angeles, CA – Ben Affleck gets very close to ex wife Jennifer Garner at their son Sam’s 13th birthday party at a paintball park in Los Angeles. Ben was following Jennifer around and laughing and flirting with her throughout the party. He came in close several times and kept coming up to her laughing and smiling. Pictured: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner BACKGRID USA 2 MARCH 2025 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Castaic, CA Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner come together on Saturday to celebrate their son Samuel’s 14th birthday with a family paintball match at Combat Paintball Park in Castaic, California. Pictured: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner BACKGRID USA 28 FEBRUARY 2026 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- -Los Angeles, CA – 20200227 – Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck take their son, Samuel Garner Affleck to a birthday party. -PICTURED: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner -PHOTO by: BauerGriffin/INSTARimages.com This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing. Featuring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 27 Feb 2020 Credit: BauerGriffin/INSTARimages.com
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- -Los Angeles, CA – 20210501 – Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Pick Son Samuel Garner Affleck from Swimming Lessons Samuel -PICTURED: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner -PHOTO by: BauerGriffin/INSTARimages.com This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing. Featuring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 01 May 2021 Credit: BauerGriffin/INSTARimages.com
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- Exes Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner reunite on their son Samuel’s last day of school in Los Angeles, California Featuring: Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 11 Jun 2024 Credit: BauerGriffin/INSTARimages
Jen Garner is practically a saint for putting up with him all these years. A true example of putting your kids before yourself.
I feel exhausted on Jennifer’s behalf that she has to still mother this man child.
She doesn’t have to. She chooses to. I assume she cares about him. I assume at least partly because his welfare has a knock on effect on their children.
IDK about the saint stuff. Yes Ben seems like a pain in the ass to date but by all accounts he’s a present and caring father. I don’t think it’s some huge sacrifice to have a healthy co-parenting relationship because it benefits the parents as much as it does the kids. Ultimately it’s a collective effort that requires BOTH parents to be patient, kind, and accommodating to each other.
I think Jen put up with a lot of shit when they were married but I don’t think she really puts up with anything anymore because she doesn’t have to. Not her clown, not her circus.
I just really appreciate that the kids have two parents who are friends and get along and work together in a constructive way. That’s a healthy model for a so-called “broken home” (though I actually hate that term) that, alongside good therapy and a decent sense of confidence, can minimize the potential for the kind of generational trauma and conflict-patterns that can affect your own ability to have a successful relationship later in life. It minimizes the dread you might feel when your parents have to come together over/for you and the tension is palpable, the guilt or responsibility you might feel for being the source of never-ending conflict, and the exhaustion of having to serve as a go-between or defender (internally or externally) when parents won’t communicate constructively. Not to mention the fact that the marriage fell apart because he was having an affair with the woman charged with serving as a parental figure in *their* lives (whom they no doubt liked quite a bit).
I used to worry about Jen Garner (who was the primary, custodial parent) always rushing to rescue and support Ben and always welcoming him back into the fold (albeit, reportedly, with boundaries as warranted) because I worried she was still holding out hope, praying he’d get better and they could reconcile, etc. But then I watched her build a healthy career, healthy long-term relationship with a partner who is apparently secure in their relationship and Ben’s place adjacent to it, and those kinds turn out to be seemingly well-adjusted–even as their father went through girlfriend after girlfriend (some rather young, relatively speaking), a remarriage with J-Lo, very public relapses and rehab stints, got that ridiculous back tattoo, etc. All while being only a Google search away from reading all about his affair with their caregiver.
All that tells me that the strategy of forgiving and letting go of the negative past (while setting boundaries and living your own life, emotionally and geographically separate enough to prevent repeat performances) and a commitment to grounding yourself in the postive things that led to your relationship, marriage, and children in the first place as the basis for a workable friendship that allows genuinely successful co-parenting relationship–that’s a good strategy when it’s possible (because two people get a vote and it’s not always possible).
I also like that she knows the kids will have a relationship with him far longer than she would *have* to (as she can always opt out once they are grown, something that’s much harder and more emotionally dicey for a child to do with a parent, particularly a famous one) so a lifetime of modeling support, compassion, and boundaries — human understanding without necessarily supporting or enabling the worst choices (questionable girlfriends, life choices, or those related to a genuine struggle with the disease of addiction), while also modeling how to live your own life, pursue your own happiness, and prioritize your own goals, is a gift she’s giving her children.
I was suspect for many years, but I’ve come to admire it. Thankfully I haven’t been in that position, but I can’t say I’d be able to make it work if I was. (The money and privilege do help, I’ll admit, but that doesn’t diminish what that family has made work.)
Not saying she’s a saint or has played every card correctly or never had her own motives (and, honestly, who doesn’t/why shouldn’t she–her ish is just public) but I am saying I admire it.
There is nobody from her camp being a source. LOL Anyone close to Jen is tightlipped.
Ben separated from J-Lo two years ago. Two years of being single. The dust settled long ago from the fallout of going through the separation and divorce. Jennifer Garner isn’t over here two years later opining on Ben’s private life. The guy definitely hasn’t gone without sex for two years nor some companionship for dinners and such, casual dating, but I do believe he had (maybe still has) no desire for a serious relationship and what that entails. He set his life up nicely so that he isn’t gone from his kids’ lives for four months at a time. He’s running Artists Equity, which gives him structure, an office to go into every day, and he shoots whatever films he’s directing or starring in locally in LA or in proximity to LA for the most part. So he has a nice work/life balance now.
He does appear to be the healthiest emotionally he’s ever been, and focused. That still doesn’t make him great boyfriend/husband material, which does require time and effort. I think he just enjoys his time with his two kids still at home and knows the time is flying by. The youngest is 14.
Yeah, I’m gonna side with Jen on this one. Insecure, doesn’t like to be alone, loves to be in love, loves to lovebomb…that’s Ben. He chases that high, whether it’s relationships or gambling. And when he’s bored or things get too messy, he bails and it’s the woman’s fault that they couldn’t “keep” him. I’d more likely advise women to stay away from Ben.
I’m not going to go out on a limb for someone I don’t know, and he does seem like a love bomber, but I think his life long friendship with Matt and peaceful coparenting relationship with Jennifer do indicate that there is good in the man and he isn’t a complete narcissist.
JG probably knows her ex-husbands patterns pretty well – he’s been on an upswing careerwise with successful and moneymaking projects, he’s probably had lots of smoke blown his way from the deal negotiated with Netflix and selling that AI production company, too. He has walked away pretty much unscathed from the marriage to JLo and the house they bought as well as put a lid on any rumours about why the marriage ended. In other words, he’s feeling good, he’s in a good place right now and that might be the most dangerous place he can be. This is a man who doesn’t enjoy success for very long and has never been able to get out of his own way.
But he isn’t just sitting on success. He can’t. Artists Equity is a fairly new company. It has over 80 employees. They have an investment company that also put $100 million in. Ben can’t rest on his laurels. Ben is the CEO of the company. Matt has admitted that Ben is the one who has oversight of the day-to-day running of the company, that side of it, but he and Ben are co-writing scripts together and producing and acting in projects for their company. Ben will most likely also direct on some.
It is an admirable business model that is being used regarding rewarding all of the production team if the movie is successful. That means you are aiming at all times to try to hit the metrics for that to happen. It just happened with RIP for Netflix. All 1,200 people involved in RIP have received backend bonuses because RIP reached a milestone. The passion project he produced for J-Lo, Kiss of the Spider Woman, flopped. It cost $30 million to make and only made 2 million. He can’t afford a lot of flops.
Maybe this kind of structure is what has kept Ben less self-destructive.
I echo the sentiment of the comment above- exhausted for her that she has to still expend energy on this man child.