Ben Affleck Opens Up About His Marriage and Divorce: How Alcohol and Career Ambitions Took a Toll
A Marriage Built on Shaky Foundations
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s relationship started under circumstances that many would consider questionable. At the time they connected, both were involved with other partners. Affleck was engaged to Jennifer Lopez, and Garner was married to actor Scott Foley. The two met on the set of “Pearl Harbor” but reportedly fell in love while working on the film Daredevil in 2003. Their chemistry was undeniable, and Affleck himself acknowledged the film as the project that sparked their romance, later saying in an interview, “That’s where I found my wife.”
Despite the whirlwind romance, some of Affleck’s closest friends weren’t supportive of the relationship. Reports suggest that Matt Damon, Affleck’s long-time best friend, wasn’t particularly fond of Garner. Damon allegedly believed that the couple’s relationship had been deteriorating long before their divorce, even before rumors of infidelity with their nanny surfaced. Damon wasn’t the only one who clashed with Garner. Filmmaker Kevin Smith, once a close friend of Affleck, revealed that Garner’s disapproval of him ultimately led to a strained friendship. Smith shared that Garner didn’t appreciate his sense of humor and even threatened to “kick his ass” if he continued teasing Affleck.
Ben Affleck’s Struggles With Alcoholism
Ben Affleck’s battle with alcoholism was a significant factor in his marriage’s decline. Affleck had a well-documented history of alcohol abuse, having gone to rehab in 2001 to address his issues. Despite his efforts to stay sober, Affleck’s struggles persisted throughout his marriage, and his drinking habits worsened as the years went on. He later admitted that he used alcohol as a way to cope with the mounting stress in his life.
In a candid interview, Affleck revealed how much his drinking affected his family, stating, “I started to drink more and more and more.” His alcoholism placed immense strain on his relationship with Garner, who tried tirelessly to support him through his recovery. The actor eventually sought help once again in 2017, checking into rehab to address his addiction. In a public statement shared on Facebook, Affleck wrote, “I finished treatment for alcohol addiction; it’s something I’ve dealt with before and will keep facing.” He expressed gratitude to Garner, who had been his “co-parent” and took care of their children while he worked on getting better.
Affleck’s addiction wasn’t just damaging to his family life—it also seeped into his professional endeavors. He even admitted to using method acting techniques while portraying Nick Dunne in Gone Girl, which included drinking to embody his character’s puffy, hungover appearance. While this may have helped his performance, it likely hindered his attempts to stay sober in real life.
The Infidelity Rumors
Adding fuel to the fire were rumors of infidelity that plagued Affleck’s marriage. In 2015, reports surfaced that Affleck had an affair with the family’s nanny, Christine Ouzounian. Although Affleck denied the allegations, the scandal cast a shadow over his already tumultuous relationship with Garner. Sources close to the couple suggested that Garner had been deeply hurt by the rumors, even though she later downplayed their significance in interviews, asserting that their marriage was over long before the nanny scandal broke.
Garner wasn’t the only one concerned about Affleck’s wandering eye. During the filming of Gone Girl, Garner reportedly asked her friend Neil Patrick Harris to keep an eye on Affleck’s interactions with co-star Emily Ratajkowski, fearing another possible affair. While there was no concrete evidence to suggest Affleck acted inappropriately with Ratajkowski, the fact that Garner felt the need to intervene speaks volumes about the lack of trust in their marriage.
Even Affleck’s colleagues joked about his flirtatious tendencies. Director David Fincher, who worked with Affleck on Gone Girl, commented in the film’s DVD commentary that Garner might have her hands full with him, hinting that Affleck had a knack for creating convincing phone conversations, implying that he might be using those skills to conceal infidelities.
Career Ambitions and the Strain on Family Life
While Affleck struggled with his personal demons, his burgeoning career placed further strain on his marriage. As he continued to take on demanding roles, including his portrayal of Bruce Wayne in the DC Extended Universe films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, his time at home grew increasingly limited. In addition to acting, Affleck pursued directing, writing, and producing, which only added to his already packed schedule.
Garner, who had a flourishing career of her own, chose to take a step back from acting to focus on raising their children. In a 2015 interview, she explained, “I decided to stay home this year and just said, ‘Go for it, babe. Do Gone Girl, do Batman, do The Accountant, do everything.’” While she expressed pride in Affleck’s accomplishments, it was clear that his absence took a toll on their family dynamic. The imbalance between their professional and personal lives only deepened the cracks in their marriage.
Garner’s sacrifices for the sake of her family didn’t go unnoticed by Affleck. During his acceptance speech at the 2013 Oscars, where Argo won Best Picture, Affleck awkwardly thanked Garner for “working on our marriage for 10 Christmases.” While he likely intended the comment to be a gesture of appreciation, it came across as tone-deaf, further illustrating the disconnect between them.
The Aftermath
Despite their tumultuous relationship, both Affleck and Garner have remained committed to co-parenting their three children. Garner has been a pillar of support for Affleck throughout his recovery, and the two have maintained an amicable relationship for the sake of their family. Affleck has been open about his regrets, stating in interviews that getting divorced was one of the hardest things he ever had to come to terms with.
In the years following their divorce, Affleck has continued to focus on his sobriety and his career. Garner, too, has moved on and found peace in her post-divorce life. While their marriage may not have had a fairy-tale ending, Affleck and Garner’s story serves as a reminder that even Hollywood’s most beloved couples face struggles behind closed doors.
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