Ben Affleck has come under fire after saying his marriage to Jennifer Garner was “part of why” he started drinking because he felt “trapped.”
Appearing on an episode of The Howard Stern Show, the 49-year-old actor opened up about his 13-year marriage to Garner, what led them to announce their plans to divorce in 2015, and how his alcoholism played a part in this.
“We had a marriage that didn’t work. This happens. It was somebody I love and respect but to whom I shouldn’t be married any longer,” Affleck told Stern in the interview that aired on December 14.
Ben Affleck talks to Howard Stern about how being "trapped” in marriage to Jennifer Garner led him to drinking:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 14, 2021
“I was like, ‘I can't leave because of my kids, but I'm not happy, what do I do?' And what I did was [I] drank a bottle of scotch & fell asleep on the couch,” pic.twitter.com/P6ElVpRLyG
“I was like, ‘I can’t leave because of my kids, but I’m not happy, what do I do?’ And what I did was [I] drank a bottle of scotch and fell asleep on the couch, which turned out not to be the solution.”
Affleck has gone to rehab on different occasions to treat his alcohol addiction, the first time being in 2001, then 2017, and again after his divorce in 2018 - with Garner photographed driving her ex-husband to his last stint.
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The two-time Oscar winner then noted how both he and Garner didn’t want their three kids, daughters Violet, 16, Seraphina, 12, and nine-year-old son Samuel, to see them in an unhappy marriage.
“But both of us felt like we don’t want this to be the model that our kids see of marriage,” and guessed what would’ve happened if the pair had stayed married and added: “We’d probably be at each other’s throats.”
However, the comment that is prompting backlash is when Affleck blames his alcoholism on his “trapped” marriage - and added he most likely would still be drinking if he remained married to Garner.
“I’d probably still be drinking. Part of why I started drinking alcohol was because I felt trapped,” he admitted.
Affleck is now dating his ex-fiancee Jennifer Lopez who were previously together from 2002-2004.
His words sparked quite the reaction on Twitter, as many have slammed Affleck over his comments on his marriage to Garner.
Jennifer Garner’s friends telling her not to read Ben Affleck’s interview with Howard Stern… pic.twitter.com/QNtWoLYtsv
— teatime75 (@teatime75) December 15, 2021
This is a troubling sign when an alcoholic doesn't take responsibility for their drinking and points fingers at everybody else saying "they are the reason I'm a drunk.." This is not a man in recovery, he is still very much an active addict even without a drink touching his lips.
— Robbo (@tahoe_robbo) December 15, 2021
ben affleck the epitome of an ungrateful ass husband
— hongjoong's wife (@hjoongswifey) December 15, 2021
Ben Affleck: I would've 'still' been drinking if I stayed married to Jennifer Garner
— Cecily (@chicagobonjour) December 14, 2021
Jennifer Garner: *helps him to rehab 3 full years after they’ve already separated * pic.twitter.com/9StRYJ7tWI
Ben Affleck says his marriage made him drink. Grow up! Accept responsibility for your drinking Ben. What a lame excuse !
— Sean Turner💛 Wear a mask! (@allareblessed) December 15, 2021
Ben Affleck taking his gone girl role too seriously irl he really is nick dunne
— Myuh (@gyllenhaaIs) December 15, 2021
obviously ben affleck did not complete his 12 step program... addiction and your actions are all on you, babe
— Kellie Mullan (@KayMullan) December 15, 2021
While others defended Affleck’s comments and said that the Justice League actor was simply expressing how he felt and wasn’t actually criticising Garner, they also praised him for his candid honesty.
Some also highlighted the fact that Affleck also praised Garner in the very same interview where he said: “We did our best. I knew she [Garner] was a good mom, and I hoped she knew I was a good dad. I had to get sober, and I acknowledge that.”
Affleck also previously called his divorce from Garner “the biggest regret of his life” in an interview with The New York Times in 2020.
Ben Affleck was drinking because he was unhappy. That's not a dig at Jennifer Garner, it's his truth. He was in an unhappy marriage.
— blair channing rae (@iWriterGirl) December 15, 2021
I have a lot of respect for him addressing his alcoholism and speaking openly about it.
Yes! He was simply just being honest. No one should stay in a relationship to accommodate others or even for the children. Otherwise, all persons involved are gonna suffer. #BenAffleck https://t.co/og4rDRF6rt
— christeljlover (@ChristelJlover) December 15, 2021
Whoever needs to hear this: Ben Affleck DID NOT blame Jennifer Garner for his alcoholism or say anything negative about her. He said they both were unhappy, he stayed in the marriage for the kids, felt trapped, and in response, drank. pic.twitter.com/8A96fTcbQH
— Melanated and Vaccinated (@TaritaC) December 15, 2021
Ben Affleck didn't blame Jennifer Garner. He's just saying how HE felt himself, it's HIS TRUTH! Why do people make a whole drama out of it? You guys should actually listen the full interview he gave #Howard100
— Laleesa (@Laleesa10) December 15, 2021
Nothing he said was wrong. That's his experience. Those are his feelings. With that being said, the way he handled his feelings and his marriage was unhealthy but glad he and Garner were smart enough to end things. There's no need playing into roles that don't serve one another.
— Mother Earth Android 🖤🇳🇬 (@amarachicrystal) December 15, 2021
Affleck’s latest film The Tender Bar, a coming-of-age movie directed by George Clooney, was also mentioned in the interview and is expected be released on December 17.
