Ben Affleck has openly stated that he does not see Hollywood in the future for his three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner. Speaking at the premiere of The Rip on January 13, the Oscar-winning actor emphasized that he has no plans to push Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, or Samuel, 13, toward acting.
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“You put something on your children when you have a public life and that’s complicated,” Affleck, 53, told E! News. “We really want to give them room to figure out what they want to do.” He added with a laugh, “and hope that they don’t waste their life acting.”
Affleck highlighted the value of letting his children grow up outside the pressures of fame. Reflecting on his own upbringing, he said, “In some way, it was kind of a blessing to anonymity, to struggle, to where we started, which was just in the middle of nowhere,” suggesting that early challenges shaped his perspective on life and career.
Jennifer Garner has echoed similar sentiments about parenting older children. In a recent interview with Marie Claire UK, she said, “They’re just so cool!” while noting that parenting now is more about stepping back and allowing children to make their own choices.
The former couple, who married in 2005 and divorced in 2018, appear united in their priority of giving their children freedom from expectations—even famous ones. Garner added, “Losing a true partnership and friendship is what was hard,” emphasizing the personal lessons they carry while co-parenting.
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Affleck’s candid comments reflect a desire to shield his children from Hollywood pressures while encouraging them to explore paths that suit their own interests and talents.