Ben Affleck has offered a candid assessment of his romantic life, telling reporters that dating currently ranks well below work and family on his list of priorities.
The actor and filmmaker, 54, made the remarks while attending the Los Angeles premiere of his new Netflix film Animals on October 2, 2026, where he was pressed about recent speculation surrounding his personal life.
Family and Work Take Center Stage
Affleck explained that most of his waking hours are devoted to his career and his three children, whom he shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
“I work a lot and I see my kids,” he said, adding that there is “not a lot of room” for much else at the moment. “I’m not running around.”
Despite the packed schedule, Affleck described himself as “happy” and suggested he remains open to the possibility of romance should it develop naturally rather than through deliberate pursuit.
Reflecting on a High-Profile Chapter
The comments arrive roughly two years after Affleck and Jennifer Lopez separated in April 2024, ending a reunion that had captivated tabloids and fans alike. Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, citing irreconcilable differences, and the proceedings were finalized in January 2025.
The couple had rekindled their relationship in 2021, nearly two decades after calling off their first engagement. They eloped in Las Vegas in July 2022 and held a second ceremony at Affleck’s Georgia estate the following month.
Affleck has spoken previously about the difficulty of navigating relationships in the public eye. While promoting The Accountant 2 in 2025, he acknowledged that “it’s not easy figuring out relationships.”
Shakira Rumor Shut Down
The red carpet conversation also veered into unexpected territory when Affleck was asked about a claim from The View co-host Ana Navarro, who said she had tried to set him up with Colombian singer Shakira. Navarro has acknowledged she never actually met the actor.
Affleck appeared genuinely taken aback by the suggestion, saying he typically learns of such stories for the first time from journalists.
“I swear to God, I never heard that in my whole life,” he said, dismissing the rumored matchmaking attempt outright.
A Father First
For now, Affleck’s focus appears firmly fixed on his children: Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14. He married Garner in 2005; the pair separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce in 2018.
The actor’s latest remarks suggest that, whatever the headlines may speculate, his current chapter is defined less by romance than by parenthood and a busy professional slate.
