Ben's Rock-Bottom Confession
Star|March 16, 2020
An apologetic — and sober — Ben Affleck admits he’s made some pretty big mistakes.
Ben's Rock-Bottom Confession

Ben Affleck isn’t pulling any punches. On his whirlwind press tour for The Way Back, the new film in which he portrays a down-and-out alcoholic basketball coach who’s trying to get his life back on track, the actor’s opening up like never before. From deep regrets over his failed marriage to Jennifer Garner to revelations about his battle with anxiety and depression to insights into his high-profile split from Jennifer Lopez, it’s clear no topic is off-limits.

But privately, Ben’s been going even deeper, telling friends about his struggles with addiction — and how his demons nearly destroyed him. At his lowest point, the father of three says he was getting drunk on a regular basis. “I was drinking every day,” he reveals. “I’d come home from work and sit there and drink until I passed out on the couch.” As his marriage to Jen began to crumble, the 47-year-old actor spiraled out of control. “He’d meet up with his buddies to drink and gamble, then stumble home intoxicated,” an insider tells Star. “Jen would have to get up and put him to bed. He was selfish and constantly giving in to his addictions.”

BAD BEHAVIOR

This story is from the March 16, 2020 edition of Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 16, 2020 edition of Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM STARView All
Gigi to Irina: BACK OFF, HE'S MINE!
Star

Gigi to Irina: BACK OFF, HE'S MINE!

Gigi Hadid is nervous about Bradley Cooper's suddenly single ex, Irina Shayk.

time-read
1 min  |
May 20, 2024
JEN'S KID FIX!
Star

JEN'S KID FIX!

Jennifer Aniston has been open about her disappointment in not having kids of her own.

time-read
1 min  |
May 20, 2024
NICOLE'S MOM HEARTBREAK
Star

NICOLE'S MOM HEARTBREAK

Accepting her AFI Life Achievement Award April 27, Nicole Kidman thanked her costars, her directors, her fans and her family — or at least some of it.

time-read
1 min  |
May 20, 2024
BATTLE OVER BRITNEY
Star

BATTLE OVER BRITNEY

WHISPERS OF REVIVING HER CONSERVATORSHIP HAVE THE SINGER FIGHTING MAD.

time-read
1 min  |
May 20, 2024
UPPING her GAME!
Star

UPPING her GAME!

BASKETBALL PHENOM CAITLIN CLARK HAS BROUGHT NEW FANS TO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL. NOW SHE'S OFF TO THE PROS.

time-read
1 min  |
May 20, 2024
ROYAL WIVES BEHIND PALACE DOORS!
Star

ROYAL WIVES BEHIND PALACE DOORS!

THEY ARE SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS WOMEN IN THE WORLD. HERE'S WHAT REALLY GOES ON WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 20, 2024
Ellen BREAKS HER SILENCE!
Star

Ellen BREAKS HER SILENCE!

AFTER LAYING LOW FOR A FEW YEARS, ELLEN DEGENERES IS BACK ON STAGE - AND SHE'S TAKING AIMAT EVERYONE WHO TRIED TO BRING HER DOWN.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 20, 2024
JEN'S Happily Ever After
Star

JEN'S Happily Ever After

IT'S HER TURN: NEARLY A DECADE AFTER HER MARRIAGE TO BEN AFFLECK IMPLODED, JENNIFER GARNER WILL BE A BRIDE AGAIN AT 52.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 20, 2024
LO'S HILLS TRAUMA
Star

LO'S HILLS TRAUMA

Harsh reality! Years after insisting the MTV hit The Hills wasn’t faked, Lo Bosworth realized how much producers manipulated the cast.

time-read
1 min  |
May 13, 2024
JEN'S NO FAN OF JOHNNY
Star

JEN'S NO FAN OF JOHNNY

Un-friendly territory. Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid may have been dating for more than a decade, but Court’s BFF Jennifer Aniston still has her doubts.

time-read
1 min  |
May 13, 2024