Movies
Ben Affleck leans on BFF Matt Damon as he joins family dinner amid Jennifer Lopez divorce
Resuming his role as “The Third Wheel.”
Ben Affleck was spotted joining BFF Matt Damon and his family for dinner in Los Angeles amid his split from Jennifer Lopez.
Damon and his wife, Luciana Barroso, seemed to be in great spirits as they arrived alongside their daughters at the Italian hot spot Toscana on Sunday night, per photos obtained by TMZ.
The couple, who wed in 2005, was photographed greeting everyone in the restaurant’s foyer with huge smiles.
Damon, 53, and Barroso, 48, color-coordinated in all-black ensembles for the fun night out.
Affleck, for his part, arrived solo but seemed to be in a good mood as he joined the family inside.
The “Gone Girl” star dressed casually in jeans, a white T-shirt and a tan button-down, which he paired with simple white sneakers.
Despite his marital woes, the meal served as a perfect pick-me-up for Affleck, who was heard laughing alongside the valet afterward.
Damon and Barroso appeared to have just as much fun as they left the eatery with big smiles.
A source previously told “Entertainment Tonight” that Affleck had “been leaning” on his “Good Will Hunting” co-star amid his split from Lopez, who officially filed for divorce last week.
“Matt is always in Ben’s corner and is supportive of him,” the insider shared in June.
Although Damon has been a pillar of support for Affleck, the “Jason Bourne” star recently admitted he couldn’t imagine trading shoes with him.
During an episode of the “Radio Times Podcast” with Casey Affleck, Damon admitted he couldn’t fathom living under a microscope like Ben.
“I’ve been really lucky in that way … especially when I look at Casey’s brother, Ben,” he said. “I can’t imagine living under that kind of scrutiny.”
“And it’s been like that for 25 years and we’ve had parallel careers in a lot of ways and so I’m fortunate to have been kind of excused from that part of [fame],” Damon explained.
The “Martian” star felt like the media “ignored” him because he was “married” and “boring” while Affleck was single and giving people things to talk about.
Although Affleck ultimately garnered more media attention, he never wanted it.
In fact, a source recently told Page Six that Lopez’s public lifestyle was a major point of contention in the pair’s marriage — dating as far back as their August 2022 honeymoon.
“He was unhappy with paparazzi following them,” an insider shared earlier this month. “She is an international superstar, and he acted like it came as a surprise that they would be followed around.”
All the extra eyes nearly ruined the trip and they “barely” spoke to each other “during what was supposed to be the happiest time of their life.”
Although the pair fell hard and fast after rekindling in 2021, we’re told Affleck started resenting Lopez’s level of celebrity soon after they said “I do.”
“He doesn’t want [the entourage] and all the drama that comes with that in his home,” the source said.
Although the exes were expected to reunite at the upcoming premiere of their new film, “Unstoppable,” Page Six recently revealed Affleck would be skipping the event.
However, Damon, who produced the movie alongside Affleck, will be there to represent the duo alongside Lopez.
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