Ben Affleck Shares Surprising Compliment About Ex Jennifer Lopez Amid Divorce

Ben Affleck had nothing but kind words to say about his ex Jennifer Lopez while discussing their upcoming film Unstoppable, despite their ongoing divorce.

By Gibson Johns Nov 04, 2024 1:05 PM
| Updated Nov 04, 2024 5:01 PM
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Watch: Ben Affleck Makes Surprising Comment About Jennifer Lopez Amid Divorce

Jennifer Lopez's talent is unstoppable.

The actress' ex Ben Affleck—from whom she filed for divorce in August—praised her performance in the upcoming film Unstoppable, which he co-produced.

"Unstoppable is a very different movie than this, but in a way, it’s similarly rooted in the passion of really talented artists," Ben said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight published Nov. 3 while promoting Small Things Like These, another film he produced. "Billy Goldenberg and Jennifer and Don Cheadle and Jharrel [Jerome], and Bobby Cannavale, all were really passionate about this film."

The Air actor—speaking alongside his producing partner Matt Damon and actor Cillian Murphy—explained that he thinks the passion for a film's story from the actors can be critical to its success.

"It speaks to a certain kind of thing I guess we're drawn to," he said. "We really believe in the power of storytelling when the people involved in it are deeply connected to the story."

Ben went on to specifically call out his ex's performance in the movie.

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All the Signs Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Were Headed for Divorce

"Jennifer's spectacular," he added, before also praising her costars. "We believed in the right people, and Unstoppable is another example of that."

The actor's compliments reflect the former couple's commitment to promote their joint project's success despite what's going on in their personal lives.

In fact, at the film's premiere during the Toronto International Film Festival in September, director William Goldenberg shared that there was no awkwardness among the cast as a result of Ben and Jennifer's split.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"It's always been about the movie, and that's their personal business," he said. "We just kept it about the movie. We just kept her eye on the prize."

And while Ben has yet to comment directly on his divorce, his praise for Jennifer's performance came just a few weeks after she broke her silence on their breakup.

"You have to be complete, if you want something that’s more complete," she said in conversation with Nikki Glaser for an Interview magazine profile published Oct. 9. "You have to be good on your own. I thought I learned that, but I didn’t. And then, this summer, I had to be like, ‘I need to go off and be on my own. I want to prove to myself that I can do that.'"

She added, "Being in a relationship doesn’t define me. I can't be looking for happiness in other people. I have to have happiness within myself."

Keep reading for more on Ben and Jen's relationship.

December 2001: Filming Gigli

The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.

October 2002: Spotted in Beverly Hills

The two are spotted in the city.

November 2002: Filming Gigli and Engagement

The two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.

November 2002: Filming Jersey Girl

The two film the movie in New York City.

November 2002: Leaving MTV's TRL

Is there anything more '00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?

December 2002: Red Carpet Debut

The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.

January 2003: Sundance

The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

February 2003: Daredevil Premiere

The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.

February 2003: Daredevil Premiere

The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

March 2003: Oscars

The two attend the Academy Awards together.

May 2003: Basketball Game

The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.

July 2003: Canada Trip

The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.

July 2003: Gigli Premiere

The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.

August 2003: Gigli Is Released

...it flops at the box office.

September 2003: Wedding Is Off

The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.

October 2003: Baseball Date

The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben's favorite.

January 2004: It's Over

The two end their engagement.

September 2021: Red Carpet Royalty

They're baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel

September 2021: Look of Love

There's no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one! 

September 2021: Back to the Stage

Ben supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.

September 2021: Met Gala Debut

The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.

October 2021: PDA at Premiere

Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.

April 2022: Engaged Again!

Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.

July 2022: Married!

On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

July 2022: Post-Wedding Trip to Paris

The two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.

June 2023: Red Carpet Fabulous

J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.

February 2024: This Is Them...Now

Jennifer release This Is Me... Now, an album about her relationship with Ben. The record is accompanied by a musical film titled This Is Me... Now: A Love Story and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.

March 2024: Jenny on the Block

The couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.

August 2024: Divorce

J.Lo filed for divorce Aug. 20, listing the date of separation as Apil 26, according to the filing obtained by TMZ.