Actor Ben Affleck has made a clarification following a backlash that trailed his comment about his battle with alcoholism and his marriage with ex-wife and actress Jennifer Garner.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Wednesday night, the 49-year-old The Tender Bar actor addressed remarks he made on The Howard Stern Show, which included that he’d “probably still be drinking” if he stayed married to Garner, 49.
The father of three who noted that his interview with Stern had been “meaningful”, claimed that he didn’t realize how his comments had been perceived until after it aired.
The actor who did not deny that he had said the things being widely reported, claimed that they “had literally taken the conversation that I had had for two hours and made it seem as if I was saying the exact opposite of what I had said.”
He said;
“I had gone on and said how much we respect each other and cared about each other and cared about our kids and put them first.”
Noting that it was said “that I had blamed my ex-wife for my alcoholism, that I was trapped in this marriage”, the actor averred that it made him look like the “worst, most insensitive, stupid, awful guy.”
While he said he understands that his personal life can make headlines or his pictures can be turned into “memes,” Affleck explained that when it comes to his family, “I have to draw a line, and be clear.”
Joking that he was “happy to be sad Batman” and the “meme-guy,” he said he drew the line at his interview being repeated because it was hurting his kids. “It hurts my feelings, man,” he said of the backlash, calling it “inappropriate.”
