Ben Affleck recently opened up about the challenges and humor of parenting teenagers. Speaking on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the 54-year-old actor revealed the surprises he encountered in his role as a father, admitting he never anticipated not being seen as the “cool dad.”

Affleck shared an example from his daily life, describing a family dinner conversation. As his kids discuss their friends and relationships, he offers his own insights based on personal experiences, intending to share wisdom. Yet, his 17-year-old responds with, “Oh, like you’re the expert on relationships?” This comment highlights how Affleck’s kids humorously critique his relationship history.

Affleck has three children—Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14—with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner. The couple was married for over 10 years before separating in 2015 and finalizing their divorce in 2018. Garner is not the only high-profile relationship Affleck has been part of. He has dated Lindsay Shookus and Shauna Sexton, and made headlines in 2019 when he dated actress Ana de Armas. After this, he reconnected with former fiancé Jennifer Lopez.

Affleck and Lopez initially dated from 2002 to 2004. They rekindled their relationship in April 2021, announced their engagement in April 2022, and married in July 2022. Lopez expressed pride in their lifestyle choices, emphasizing their commitment to love and respect in her newsletter. However, after two years of marriage, Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024.

During the interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Affleck also mentioned Garner declined to play his wife in his latest film, “Animals.” Instead, Kerry Washington accepted the role. The movie, directed and co-written by Affleck, depicts a couple’s efforts to pay their son’s ransom. Affleck acknowledged Garner’s decision was “probably for the best,” learning important lessons from these interactions.