Oscar winning 'Argo' director Ben Affleck is enjoying down time after awards season wrap

Affleck with his Golden Globe

The 'Argo' actor-and-director was the toast of the awards season - picking up wins at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTAs - but he is now revelling in the quieter life with spouse Jennifer Garner now that the Oscars are over.

He told E! News: "I've been able to really just enjoy my good fortune in the last couple of weeks and sit back and kind of just take it in and not do anything, just eat ice cream on the couch. It's been a really nice time to hang out with my wife and that sort of thing, so we're just enjoying it."

The 40-year-old star - who has three children with Jennifer, daughters Violet, seven, and Seraphina, four, and 12-month-old son Samuel - explained that work on the Best Picture-winning film didn't end when the cameras stopped rolling because of the manic awards season, but life has now returned to normal.

He said: "There's a good period of time that I see as an extension of the movie and the work that you put into the movie continues through that time and it's great in a lot of different ways. And then it ends."

Ben Affleck thinks wife Jennifer Garner is the "best person in the world"

Jennifer Garner and loving husband Ben Affleck

As if we couldn't love Ben Affleck anymore than we already do! At the Director's Guild of America Awards on Saturday, Affleck said in his acceptance speech "I have to just thank my wife for being the best person in the world. I love you."

Affleck took home the award for Best Director for his work on 'Argo.'

Ben also opened up about his hopes for their family, according to People.com, and said: "I want our daughters to break boundaries." Affleck and Garner have three children - Violet, Seraphina and Samuel.

Ben recently revealed he doesn't want his children to follow in his and Jennifer's footsteps in Hollywood because he already thinks they are exposed too much.

He said: "I would do whatever I could to discourage that. My kids have enough issues of being exposed in ways that I don't want them to be exposed, in magazines and shows and stuff."

But he previously revealed he thinks his working life is "richer" because of his family life.

He explained: "They're the most important people in my life. Family is a wonderful thing, but it doesn't mean you can't do other stuff in your life. In fact, having a family makes whatever other thing you have that much richer. If it was just me, I'd be home alone and think, 'Well, something good happened at work', but it's much nicer to share it with people you love."

"I think any time you become a richer person you have more substance. I hope that happened to me with having a family, but you never know!"

'Argo' star Ben Affleck doesn't want his children to be famous

Ben Affleck, star and director of the critically acclaimed film 'Argo,' has said that he doesn't want any of his three children to pursue Hollywood careers. Affleck is married to Hollywood starlet Jennifer Garner.

Affleck told E! News at the Producer's Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday that  "I would do whatever I could to discourage that. My kids have enough issues of being exposed in ways that I don't want them to be exposed, in magazines and shows and stuff."

Together, Affleck and Garner have three children - Violet, seven, Seraphina, four, and 11-month-old Samuel.

However, daddy Affleck did go on to admit that if his children are seriously interested in acting as they get older, he'll support whatever makes them happy.

He said: "You know, if you're interested in drama, there's great theatre classes and stuff and that's what's appropriate."

At the awards show, Affleck won the award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Picture at the event. The actor and producer previously revealed he thinks his working life is "richer" because of his family life.

He explained: "They're the most important people in my life. Family is a wonderful thing, but it doesn't mean you can't do other stuff in your life. In fact, having a family makes whatever other thing you have that much richer. If it was just me, I'd be home alone and think, 'Well, something good happened at work', but it's much nicer to share it with people you love.

"I think any time you become a richer person you have more substance. I hope that happened to me with having a family, but you never know!"

Jennifer Lopez says she is ‘really happy’ for her ex Ben Affleck

Former couple Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez

The 43-year-old 'Parker' star - who is dating her 25-year-old back-up dancer Casper Smart - has revealed she still sees her ex-fiance regularly and was thrilled to see him win two Golden Globe Awards last Sunday.

The mother-of-two - who has been divorced three times - told 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show': "It was nice to see him have that moment. I was really happy for him."

Jennifer insisted she and Ben are still close, and she is also in touch with her ex-boyfriend P. Diddy.
She said: "I see them a lot. We're in the same business. You know, we run in the same circle."
'Argo' star Ben - who is now married to actress Jennifer Garner - revealed last year that he still "touches base" with Jennifer.

He said: "We don't have the kind of relationship where she relies on me for advice,' he said of the star. 'But we do have the kind of relationship where there'll be an e-mail saying, "Oh, your movie looks great. I touch base. I respect her. I like her. She's put up with some stuff that was unfair in her life, and I'm really pleased to see her successful."

The singer-and-actress EOnline.com she would love to win an Oscar one day and would have no problem choosing a dress for the occasion.

She said: "Oh, trust me. I'll be ready. I think everybody that has ever taken acting seriously would love to be recognised in that way."

Meanwhile Jennifer admitted that despite having one of the most admired bodies in Hollywood, she often strays from her healthy diet.

She said: "I should be more healthy, to be honest. My kids eat healthier than I because you want them to be healthy. But I have bad habits from, you know, growing up in the Bronx -- Hawaiian Punch, Kool-Aid! The more sugar, the better!"

Quentin Tarantino feels sorry for Ben Affleck over "Argo" Oscar snub

Ben Affleck

Both directors missed out on Best Director Oscar nominations on Thursday even though their movies 'Django Unchained' and 'Argo' picked up nods in other categories but Quentin thinks Ben's snub was worse than his.

Speaking at the 'Django Unchained' premiere at London's Empire, Leicester Square, he told BANG Showbiz: "It would have been nice and everything but at the end of the day, I actually feel more sorry for Ben Affleck. He really deserved it and I think we all thought he was going to get it, so I feel really sorry for him."

While, Quentin is excited that his own movie received five Academy Award nominations, he doesn't believe it will win the night's biggest award, Best Picture.

He said: "It feels very lovely, it's nice to be invited to the party. It's been a good week. Five Oscar nominations today, five BAFTA nominations yesterday. I  don't think it will win Best Picture. But if it did, I will take it for sure."

While Christoph Waltz was unexcited about his own nomination for Best Supporting Actor, saying: "I have no idea if I will win. I'm not a bookmaker," the movie's female star Kerry Washington was more enthusiastic.

She said: "It's quite a ride, it's very exciting."

The premiere was also attended by the film's stars Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson while celebrities including Ashley Roberts, Hugo Taylor, James Arthur and Tyler James also walked the white carpet.

'Argo' director Ben Affleck enjoys his success more now that he's older

Ben Affleck

The 40-year-old 'Argo' actor and director - who has just been nominated for two BAFTAs - says he doesn't worry as much about what people say about him anymore because he has been in the movie business for so long.

He told E! News at the National Board of Review Awards in New York on Monday: "I think I'm at the point now where I just got older. I've got a little grey hair. You develop a perspective. I've been doing this a long time--I've been doing this since I was a kid...I learned a lot of bad lessons and ran into a lot of bad ends, and finally I just got to a point in my life where I thought, 'I'm just going to do what I want to do and express myself as a director and an actor' and hope for the best, but not worry too much about what other people say."

The father-of-three - who shares three children, Violet, seven, Seraphina, three, and Samuel, 10 months, with his actress wife Jennifer Garner, also claims his children aren't aware that their parents will be attending glitzy award shows over the next few weeks because they "are a little young".

He said: "They know, like, the idea that we're going on a date, but they don't know that we're doing a show where they give awards out and that kind of thing."

The actor also revealed he is looking forward to his wife accompanying him on the red carpet.

Ben Affleck's wife Jennifer Garner has been named Celebrity Mum of the Year

Jennifer Garner

The 40-year-old 'Butter' actress - who is married to Ben Affleck, 40, with whom she shares three children, Violet, seven, Seraphina, three, and Samuel, 10 months, - beat off stiff competition from Beyonce, Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Simpson to be awarded the title by Today's Parent magazine.

According to the magazine, Jennifer won "by a landslide" as she manages to be relatable to other mothers by admitting she sometimes struggles to juggle her family and career but still looks "gorgeous and put-together."
Jennifer's husband Ben recently revealed he still can't believe she married him and said the secret to a successful marriage is choosing someone who is out of your league.

He said: "There are two things for a marriage to be good. One is to work hard on it. The other one is to marry above you. And I succeeded at both of those."

The 'Argo' actor-and-director admitted his wife was "cool" with his hectic schedule and says he appreciates how she stays up late waiting for him to come to bed so they can brainstorm ideas about whatever new film he's working on.

He explained: "My wife is very cool. She knows that directing is consuming in that way. She's just happy I come home. Usually, I come home after the kids are in bed anyway. We like to chat for a little bit and I'll talk about the movie and what I'm doing, what I'm thinking or whatever. She's a good sounding board."

Ben Affleck thinks he has married above him - Jennifer Garner is out of his league

Affleck directing 'Argo'

The 'Argo' star still can't believe he has beautiful wife Jennifer Garner on his arm and says the secret to a successful marriage is choosing someone who is out of your league.

He said: "There are two things for a marriage to be good. One is to work hard on it. The other one is to marry above you. And I succeeded at both of those."

The actor-and-director admits his wife is "cool" with his hectic schedule and says he appreciates how she stays up late waiting for him to come to bed so they can brainstorm ideas about whatever new film he's working on.

He explained: "My wife is very cool. She knows that directing is consuming in that way. She's just happy I come home. Usually, I come home after the kids are in bed anyway. We like to chat for a little bit and l'll talk about the movie and what I'm doing, what I'm thinking or whatever. She's a good sounding board."

The Hollywood couple - who have children Violet, seven, Seraphina, three, and nine-month-old Samuel together - have had to adjust their lifestyles to cater for their expanding family, and Ben admits Jennifer has sacrificed her love of travel for the sake of their kids.

He said: "My wife would just love to travel, but having three children in a row has meant that I travel more than she does. She wants to travel so much."

‘Argo’ director Ben Affleck thinks Kristen Stewart is ‘terrific’

Ben Affleck & Kristen Stewart

The ‘Argo’ director is reportedly set to work with the ‘Twilight Saga’ actress in romantic comedy ‘Focus’ and Ben admitted he would jump at the chance.

He told E! News: "I'm hesitant to get into casting stuff because I don't know what's finished or isn't because people come in and out of things all the time. But she's terrific and hopefully it will work out."

Kristen recently revealed she is desperate to land another role now that ‘Breaking Dawn Part 2’, the final movie in the ‘Twilight Saga’ franchise is finished and can't wait to start working on something new.

The 22-year-old star admitted: "I'm kinda desperate to get a job right now. I'm itching to get back to work."
The actress - whose other new movie 'On The Road' also premiered in the US earlier this month - has no  confirmed projects on the horizon, but aid it is possible she might reprise her role in 'Snow White and the Huntsman 2' despite her fling with director Rupert Sanders during the summer.

The fantasy adventure movie - starring Kristen and Chris Hemsworth as the titular characters - took more than $55 million at the US box office over its opening weekend, leading to Warner Brothers to green-light a follow-up.

Ben Affleck thinks Channing Tatum is "extremely sexy"

Affleck at the premiere of Argo

The 'Argo' star thinks the 'Magic Mike' actor is a worthy recipient of People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive title this year - an honour he was awarded in 2002 - because he is a very attractive guy.

Ben told 'Access Hollywood': "I think [Channing] is deserving, and always has been.

"He's a very good guy and an extremely, extremely sexy man.

"I mean, what else can you say? Have you seen 'Magic Mike'? I think that said it all!"

Along with Channing, Ben has also been named one of GQ magazine's Men of the Year and the 40-year-old star - who has children Violet, six, Seraphina, three, and nine-month-old Samuel with wife Jennifer Garner - admits the cover picture of him to commemorate the honour is one of the few he is happy with.

Discussing the US magazine's cover, he said: "I never really like pictures of myself. But, you know, at least it's not horribly embarrassing, which is what I'm always worried about."

With Channing named GQ's Movie Star of the Year and Ben named Filmmaker of the Year, other, other previously-announced recipients of the honours include Rihanna, who is Obsession of the Year.

Ben Affleck finally feels like a "grown up" after turning 40

Ben Affleck

The 'Argo' actor-and-director is so contented with his wife Jennifer Garner and their children - Violet, six, Seraphina, three, and seven-month-old Samuel - that he isn't worried about getting older, especially since close friend Morgan Freeman, 75, thinks he is still young.

Ben told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I'm lucky. I've got a good life. I've got three kids, I've been married for seven years, I just turned 40 and I finally feel, for better or for worse, like a grown up.

"I was talking to Morgan Freeman and I said, 'I'm turning 40', and he said, 'Boy, you're just coming into your prime.' I feel if Morgan said it, it's probably true."

The Hollywood star now lives near his close friend Matt Damon in the Pacific Palisades district in Los Angeles and the pair - who broke into showbusiness together and co-wrote the Oscar-winning 'Good Will Hunting' - like to organise play dates for their kids.

He said: "Matt lives down the street from me so I see him every day. We bring the kids back and forth and it's like fantasy-ville. We have a lot of friends who don't work in the movie business, thank God, otherwise the conversations would get very boring."

Despite shunning the limelight, he loves being married to fellow A-lister Jennifer and would love to direct her in a future film since he thinks she is a phenomenal actress.

Ben gushed: "I'd work with her in a second. If I found a movie with a strong female lead, I would love to direct her in it. She's a colossal talent and an extraordinary woman."

Ben Affleck had to take a break from working with Matt Damon

Ben Affleck

The pair got their break in Hollywood writing and starring in 'Good Will Hunting' and subsequently worked on a number of films together, but he felt they needed some time apart so they could both develop their respective careers.

Ben, 40, said: "We wanted to have our own identities; this whole Matt and Ben thing was so strong it kind of upstaged whatever the movie was.

"I think it's been long enough now, so we're about to do this movie together called Whitey, about this famous gangster [Whitey Bulger] in America. Matt's going to play him and I'm going to direct."

Ben has directed three films to date - 'Gone Baby Gone', 'The Town' and new spy thriller 'Argo' - which have all been critically acclaimed, and he says he's still terrified by the process of making them.

He added to ShortList magazine: "It's probably anxiety, the terror that it's not going to be good - that keeps me worrying and working and staying up late and obsessing about it all night.

"It's not particularly healthy, but I think it's helped make the movies better."

Ben Affleck is regarded as an 'asshole' now he is a director

Ben Affleck

The 'Argo' star admits his fellow actors have now changed the way they treat him since he began working behind the camera and he isn't let in on any secrets.

He said: "I'm not one of the guys any more. I remember I was walking over to the house guests and I heard one of the guys talking about getting stoned - I think somebody had brought something into the house - and as I arrived everybody clammed up.

"I thought, 'When did I become this guy? What am I, the dad?' I'm an asshole all of a sudden."

Ben - who has three children, Violet, six, Seraphina, three, and eight-month-old Samuel, with his wife Jennifer Garner - forced the six actors who play hostages in his spy thriller 'Argo' to live like they would've done in the 70s, taking away their luxuries and he admits they didn't enjoy the experience or his demands.

He told Shortlist magazine: "I took the six and made them live on the set for a week, gave them all the newspapers and the records and the magazines and their wardrobes, took away all their phones and closed the door.

"They were having bad iPod withdrawal. There was so much bitter complaint we had to have a production assistant standing outside with the phones in case of an emergency call.

"One of the guys, Tate Donovan, really wanted to take his yoga mat in. I said, 'The yoga mat is not going in. Your character didn't have a yoga mat.'

"He said, 'Yoga started in the 70s. Don't you know that?' I said, 'I don't give a s**t. You're Bob Anders who worked in the state department in 1979 and was 48 years old. I promise you, he wasn't doing f***ing yoga.' "

Ben Affleck finds working with his old friend and “Good Will Hunting” partner Matt Damon easy

Ben Affleck & Matt Damon

The 40-year-old actor and director - who is tipped to win an Oscar next year for his latest movie 'Argo' - said that working with his 42-year-old best friend takes the pressure off because they know each other so well and always tell each other the truth.

He told E! News at the Artios Awards in Beverly Hills last night (29.10.12): "The nice thing about working with Matt, somebody that you've known a long time, is you don't have to worry about how you're going to get along or what the process is going to be like.

"We've developed a pretty good story over the years and we don't lie to each other. If it's not good, we say it's not good. And it makes the whole process a lot easier."

The close friends and former college roommates - who previously teamed up for their film 'Good Will Hunting' which scored two Oscars including Best Original Screenplay at the prestigious awards ceremony in 1998 - are reuniting for an upcoming film about mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger.

The father-of-three - who has been married to 'Butter' actress Jennifer Garner for more than seven years - will direct the flick and Matt will play the lead character James Bulger, the notorious Massachusetts fugitive who disappeared for 16 years before being caught in Santa Monica in 2011.

Ben's younger brother Casey Affleck will also co-star in the film as James Bulger's politician brother Billy.

Contraversial! - Ben Affleck hates the TV series the Emmy winning Claire Danes show "Homeland"

Ben Affleck

The 'Argo' actor and director - who is tipped for Oscar glory next year - has revealed he can't bare to watch the hugely popular series starring Emmy-award winner Claire Danes because he was originally supposed to direct it but was forced to turn down the opportunity.

The 40-year-old actor revealed he was asked to direct the pilot of the hit Showtime series but he turned the project down to spend quality time with his young family as his wife Jennifer Garner was shooting a movie and they have an agreement that they won't work at the same time.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: "I was sure nothing would happen with the show. Now I hate the [f**king] show. I've never seen it."

The father-of-three said he doesn't plan on making the same mistake twice and will jump at the opportunity to direct the right TV show in the future.

He joked: "I'm going to attach myself to 14 pilots this year."

The actor - who has been married to 'Butter' actress Jennifer Garner for more than seven years and has three children Violet, six, Seraphina, three and eight-month-old Samuel - was honoured with a career achievement award at the Casting Society of America's 2012 Artois Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Monday night.

His critically acclaimed movie "Argo" finally hit No. 1 at the US box office this past weekend and is tipped to sweep a number of prestigious awards worldwide next year.

'Homeland' recently enjoyed a series high of 2.07 million viewers in the US last Sunday night.

'Argo' star Ben Affleck congratulates Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake on their nuptials

Affleck at the premiere of Argo

The pair wed in Italy last Friday ( and Ben thinks his ‘Runner, Runner’ co-star Justin and Jessica, who is close pals with his wife Jennifer Garner, make a great couple.

He told E! News: “I'm very excited for him. He's a terrific guy. He's a really good actor. There's nothing that guy can't do.

"Jess is great. I'm happy for them."

Meanwhile, Justin’s former NSync bandmates Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick and Joey Fatone are said to be furious they were left off the guestlist.

 A source told the New York Post’s Page Six: “The band were not invited and are pretty upset about it. But the wedding guests were mainly close family and friends.”

Last Thursday, the bride and groom - who briefly split last year - hosted a party for guests, were they dined on fresh-made cheese, local olives and wine, while sitting around open fires.

The night before, the group celebrated at a beach where they watched fireworks and listened to live music.

Following the nuptials, Justin and Jessica released a statement confirming their marriage and saying what a great time they had.

They said: "It's great to be married, the ceremony was beautiful and it was so special to be surrounded by our family and friends."

Ben Affleck's family hated his beard for his ‘Argo’ role -VIDEO

Ben Affleck in 'Argo'

The 40-year-old actor - who has children Violet, six, Seraphina, three, and seven-month-old Samuel with wife Jennifer Garner - sported facial hair for his role as CIA specialist Tony Mendez in 'Argo' and he admits his new look didn't go down well at home.

He said: "My family unanimously hated the look. There was a united front and my littlest daughter said, 'Can't you shave your prickles. ' I said, 'I have to wear this for work.'

"My daughter said, 'What kind of work would want you to look like this?'"

Ben admitted he had mixed feelings about his beard, finding it "cool" some days but worrying he looked like Bee Gees star Barry Gibb at other moments.

He said: "Sometimes it looked cool like Kurt Russell in one those early '80s movies, but sometimes I looked like Barry Gibb.

"The hair and the beard were no joke. There were definitely some mornings when I thought, 'Can't Tony just get a haircut?'

"I know my hair didn't impress anybody. You know, you can't cheat. You've got to do it right. While nobody says they thought it looked great, nobody says they didn't think it was realistic, either."

‘Argo’ star Ben Affleck wrote a note to accept full responsibility in car crash - VIDEO

Ben Affleck

The 'Argo' actor and director was involved in a minor crash with a parked car in Santa Monica on Saturday  during which he knocked off the other car's side mirror after taking his daughters Violet and Seraphina to McDonalds.

The 40-year-old 'Good Will Hunting' star immediately jumped out of his car and left an apology note for the owner, who was not present during the incident, along with his insurance details insisting he would pay for the damages.

His note read: "Hi, I knocked off your mirror! Very sorry! Will cover everything. - Ben."

The actor is currently receiving rave reviews for his new movie 'Argo' and is hotly tipped to bag another Oscar nomination.

Ben, who welcomed his third child Samuel with actress wife Jennifer Garner, is gearing up for a worldwide promotional tour to support the movie.

Speaking recently, Ben said he was concerned he was not around his children enough and relied on Jennifer to provide for them.

He said: "I am not very present in the rest of my life. My wife's very patient. She does everything. If I have time, I try to spend time with my kids, even if just to be a physical presence, the bath, whatever."

Ben Affleck was stunned when his three-year-old daughter called his penis "junk"

Ben Affleck

The 40-year-old actor called an emergency meeting with wife Jennifer Garner - with who he has Violet, six, Seraphina, three, and six-month-old Samuel - after he learned his spouse had taught the kids some slang terms for male genitalia.

Jennifer recalled: "The girls help a lot with diaper changes. At bedtime they clean their rooms and whatever and one day Ben came in and was like, 'OK guys, come on, there's a lot of junk here' and Sera goes, 'That's what mom says'. So he was like, 'What do you mean?' and she said 'You're the one with junk dad - your penis!'

"He was like, 'Can I see you in the kitchen?' He was like, 'Are you teaching our children to say junk?' And I said, 'How many times a day can you say penis? You've got to call it something!' "

After having two daughters, Jennifer admits it was initially strange getting used to the fact she now had a son.
She told TV talk show host Jimmy Kimmel: "He's doing great, we're used to it now; there's another one and he's a boy.

"Every time you change diapers the first few weeks it's like 'Oh right, you're a boy, there's something else going on, wasn't expecting that.' "

Ben Affleck wants another child with and Jennifer Garner

While the actress is content with having three little ones, the actor would like a fourth baby to add to the family.

A friend of Jennifer's told website UsMagazine.com: "The marriage is rock solid. Jen is happy with three now that she has a boy. Ben wants four."

The duo celebrated their seven-year anniversary on June 29, just four months after the 40-year-old gave birth to their first son named Samuel.

Jennifer will soon join 39-year-old Ben in Puerto Rico, where he will film his new movie 'Runner, Runner'.

Although 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green' actress has been spending quality time with her son and daughters, Violet, six, and Seraphina, three, she has hinted she wants to get back on the big screen.

While accepting the Female Star of the Year award at CinemaCon in April, she thanked her husband "for taking over drop-offs and pickups and bedtime so I could make it [to the event]."

She added: "And thanks for making me feel like maybe someday I will get to relax in a hair and makeup chair again and leave the maniacs at home with you!"