Mr Viral
Ben Affleck Debuts Facial Hair Revamp Amid J.Lo Divorce
This is Ben Affleck… now.
The Argo actor debuted a fresh new look amid his divorce from Jennifer Lopez, stepping out in Santa Monica, Calif., on Oct. 3 with noticeably darker facial hair.
His freshly dyed black beard and mustache were in stark contrast to the rougher, salt-and-pepper look that he’d been spotted with in recent weeks.
Ben, 52, was all smiles sporting his crisp new facial hair, opting for a business casual look as he picked up his 15-year-old, Seraphina Affleck.
The outing came over a week after the Air director reunited with Jennifer for a meeting with famed divorce attorney Laura Wasser Sept. 23. The Maid in Manhattan actress and the lawyer were both photographed arriving at the former couple’s office, while Ben’s car was spotted in the parking lot.
Ben and Jen have been working with Laura for months, an insider told Page Six, even before the singer filed for divorce Aug. 20.
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The estranged couple, who tied the knot in July 2022, didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement before getting married, a source told NBC News at the time of Jennifer’s divorce filing.
Bennifer got heads spinning earlier in September when they were spotted together Sept. 14 for the first time since the “Jenny From The Block” singer filed for divorce.
The superstar duo had brunch at a Los Angeles hotel with two of Ben’s kids—Seraphina and Samuel Affleck, 12, who he shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner—and J.Lo’s twins Max and Emme, 16, who she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony. (Ben also shares 18-year-old Violet with his Daredevil costar.)
During the family outing, Ben and Jen were photographed sitting side-by-side in an SUV and appeared to be in good spirits as they enjoyed time with their kids.
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And that cordiality reflects what William Goldenberg, the director of the upcoming sports drama Unstoppable—which Ben co-produced and Jen stars in—said about the former couple’s dynamic ahead of the film’s premiere.
“It’s always been about the movie,” he told E! News at the film’s Toronto International Film Festival premiere Sept. 6, “and that’s their personal business. We just kept it about the movie. We just kept her eye on the prize.”
Keep reading for a look back at Ben and Jen’s relationship.
Mel/Getty Images
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.
Mel Bouzad/Getty Images
October 2002: Spotted in Beverly Hills
The two are spotted in the city.
Ben-Ari Finegold/Getty Images
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.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Filming Jersey Girl
The two film the movie in New York City.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Leaving MTV’s TRL
Is there anything more ’00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?
Tom Kingston/WireImage
December 2002: Red Carpet Debut
The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
January 2003: Sundance
The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
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February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.
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February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
March 2003: Oscars
The two attend the Academy Awards together.
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May 2003: Basketball Game
The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
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July 2003: Canada Trip
The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
July 2003: Gigli Premiere
The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.
Moviestore/Shutterstock
August 2003: Gigli Is Released
…it flops at the box office.
Christopher Polk/Jason Merritt/Getty Images for DCP
September 2003: Wedding Is Off
The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.
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October 2003: Baseball Date
The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben’s favorite.
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January 2004: It’s Over
The two end their engagement.
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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.
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
September 2021: Look of Love
There’s no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one!
Robert Kamau/GC Images
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.
Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
September 2021: Met Gala Debut
The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
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.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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.
onthejlo.com
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.
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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.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
June 2023: Red Carpet Fabulous
J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
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.
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March 2024: Jenny on the Block
The couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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.
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