Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are at a crossroads in their marriage and there doesn’t seem to be any movement with them coming back together — at least right now. Besides the 51-year-old actor reportedly leaning on his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, for support, the Argo star is also turning to his Boston bestie, Matt Damon, for marital advice during this uncertain time.
It seems that Damon was not a big fan of Affleck reuniting with Lopez in the first place because he witnessed the first Bennifer breakup. “Matt tried to warn Ben when he got back together with J.Lo that this could happen,” a source told the Daily Mail. “Matt was there to help Ben get it together after their first split and he felt like this would happen again.” Not only is Damon his longtime BFF, but he also has a rock-solid marriage to Luciana Barroso, whom he has been married to for 18 years. Affleck reportedly respects his pal’s opinion in the relationship department.
Damon’s alleged warning seems to contradict what an Entertainment Tonight insider shared in May 2023 about Lopez being “the best thing that has happened to Ben.” They continued, “Matt is glad Ben is so happy. Things are going great for Ben both career-wise and in his personal life. He feels like he can and will do anything he wants to accomplish in life now that he has Jen backing him and supporting him.” We’re sure Damon wants Affleck happy, but maybe there were a few reservations behind the scenes, especially knowing how much his Good Will Hunting co-star hates the limelight.
But it sounds like the Bourne Identity actor is giving Affleck some sound advice during his tumultuous time. “As things started falling apart, Matt told Ben that he supports whatever choice he makes but wants him to jump in and focus on his work,” the Daily Mail source said. “Ben spent so much time focusing on JLo’s projects just like he did the first time around. He told Ben, ‘What has she ever done for your career?'” Like everyone in his inner circle, Damon is also supportive of Affleck’s sober journey as well.
No matter what Affleck and Lopez decide, Damon has his buddy’s back, and vice versa. “It’s been really helpful to check in with Ben throughout this whole surreal process over the last 25 years. I think the shock of becoming famous is so… I mean, that messed me up for a couple of years,” Damon praised Affleck to People for being a “stabilizing” force in his life. “Because the whole world just starts to treat you differently. And so, your subjective experience changes. It’s like somebody rewrites your code in the Matrix, but just your code.”
Before you go, click here to see celebrity co-stars who became best friends.
