Ben Affleck, 52, continues to navigate his new chapter in Los Angeles with a noticeably refreshed look, fueling ongoing speculation about a “midlife crisis” makeover. The Oscar winner, who debuted a remarkably gray-free beard at CinemaCon in Las Vegas earlier this week, maintained his youthful appearance during a relaxed Saturday outing with his son Samuel, 13, and his mother, Christopher Anne Boldt.
Affleck stepped out in a casually cool ensemble: a sage green button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves, paired with classic black jeans and black and gray sneakers. His son Samuel, the youngest of Affleck’s three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, kept pace in a beige “Shadow” graphic tee, black joggers, and white sneakers. Affleck’s mother, Christopher Anne Boldt, exuded understated chic in a white sweater over a gray T-shirt, black pants, and black sneakers.
Ben Affleck’s Post-Split Style: Gray-Free Beard and Casual Outings Fuel “Midlife Crisis” Buzz in LA
The “Good Will Hunting” actor, who was raised by his mother after his parents’ divorce, has often credited her influence for his and his brother Casey’s foray into the arts. Her connection with a local Boston casting director played a pivotal role in launching their successful acting careers.
Affleck’s recent style evolution, particularly the seemingly vanished grays in his beard, is widely believed to be linked to his current directorial and starring project, “Animals.” In the Netflix thriller, Affleck plays a mayoral candidate whose young son is kidnapped. The desperate parents, surrounded by political and personal enemies, resort to extreme measures to ensure their child’s safe return.
On Friday, Affleck was spotted on the East Los Angeles set of “Animals” taking a smoke break, further hinting at his character’s persona. He was costumed in a button-down shirt and charcoal plaid jacket, also sporting a prominent wide, gold wedding band. The return to smoking, a habit Affleck had previously quit with the help of hypnosis in 2005, resurfaced around the time of his separation from Jennifer Garner a decade later. In a 2020 interview with The New York Times, Affleck openly discussed his struggles with compulsive behavior, noting the cyclical nature of seeking comfort in vices.
As Affleck navigates life following his recent divorce from Jennifer Lopez after two years of marriage, he has described the situation as “embarrassing” in a GQ interview. He clarified that the breakup was devoid of “scandal” or “intrigue,” simply “a story about people trying to figure out their lives and relationships in ways that we all sort of normally do.” His reluctance to delve deeper stems from a feeling of vulnerability.
While on set, Affleck was also seen alongside his “Animals” co-star Steven Yeun, who plays the candidate’s campaign manager. The film boasts a strong cast, including Kerry Washington as Affleck’s wife and Gillian Anderson as a political fixer.
“Animals,” produced through Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity, is described by Netflix as a thriller that deeply integrates the city of Los Angeles into its narrative. The production is committed to supporting the local film industry and is slated for release later this year.
For now, Ben Affleck’s public appearances continue to draw attention, with his fresh appearance and focus on family and work painting a picture of an actor embracing a new chapter, even if it comes with the familiar “midlife crisis” label.
