Ben Affleck praises ex-wife Jennifer Lopez’s work ethic, calls her the ‘hardest-working person’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ben Affleck has reaffirmed his admiration for Jennifer Lopez, describing her as a pioneer who has overcome professional barriers and continued to achieve success in Hollywood.
During an October 14 appearance on 'The Moment with Jorge and Paola Ramos,' the actor reflected on what he learned from knowing Lopez, including her determination, willingness to take entrepreneurial risks and strong work ethic.
Ben Affleck praises Jennifer Lopez’s Hollywood success
Affleck appeared on the podcast, where hosts Jorge and Paola Ramos asked him what he had learned about how Latinos navigate careers and life in Hollywood during his marriage to Lopez.
The hosts referenced Affleck’s recent comments to Variety, in which he expressed an “enormous amount of respect and admiration” for Lopez’s career.
Responding to their question, the 'Animals' actor, writer and director said it would “be hard for me to sum up briefly the things I got to learn from knowing Jennifer and witnessing her.”
Affleck described Lopez as a pioneer who accomplished things despite being told they were impossible and that she was not welcome.
He said she achieved success through her determination and ability to demonstrate that an audience existed for her work.
“You have to understand, I think to understand Jennifer Lopez, honestly, is to understand somebody who really is a pioneer who did things when he was told they’re not possible and you’re not welcome and by kind of force of will,” Affleck said.
He also credited Lopez with using social media to demonstrate her audience appeal when barriers were erected in front of her.
According to Affleck, her career has been particularly challenging, and she deserves recognition for the degree of difficulty involved in her achievements.
Ben Affleck admires Jennifer Lopez’s work ethic
Affleck also praised Lopez’s dedication, describing her as probably the "hardest-working person" he had ever known. “I feel like I work pretty hard, but around her, I’ve always thought like, ‘Woo, damn, you know, that’s really something,’” he said.
He added that he had learned a great deal not only from Lopez but also from her family and the people he came to know through them.
When the podcast hosts told him that his comments about Lopez’s career resonated with their audience, Affleck reiterated his admiration for her achievements.
“Well, that’s just the truth. She’s pretty extraordinary, and I’m not surprised at all to see her having ongoing success, and I wish it for her. She deserves it in every way,” he said.
Affleck and Lopez were romantically involved in the early 2000s but ended their engagement in 2004. They reunited nearly two decades later and married in July 2022. Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, and their divorce was finalized in January 2025.
Despite their separation, the former couple have maintained a professional connection. Affleck worked as a producer on Lopez’s 2025 movie 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' through Artists Equity, the production company he shares with Matt Damon.
He also appeared on the red carpet at the film’s premiere in October 2025 to support Lopez and the project.
