Ben Affleck looked friendly with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, as he spent his first Thanksgiving without his estranged wife, Jennifer Lopez, with her and their three children.
On Thursday, the former couple, who share children: Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, reunited to volunteer at Midnight Mission.
Along with their children, the stars teamed up to help feed 2,000 homeless and near-homeless people in downtown Los Angeles during the nonprofit’s annual Thanksgiving brunch.
As they extended a helping hand, the two-time Oscar winner and actress, both 52, could be seen whispering to each other and wearing matching aprons.
They both appeared cheerful as they served their community with a smile.
For the occasion, the Alias alum wore her long brunette hair up in a high ponytail and a navy blue sweater.
Ben Affleck looked friendly with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, as he spent his first first Thanksgiving without his estranged wife, Jennifer Lopez, with her and their three children
In 2020, Affleck took to Instagram to give the organization a sweet shoutout as he recognized Midnight Mission’s commitment to “helping those in need with housing, training, development and recovery.”
He said earlier People that he heard about Midnight Mission through a parent at one of his children’s schools.
‘I’ve noticed that I get a lot out of giving a little bit of my time to other people. I don’t know if it helps them or not, but I know it helps me,” he told the outlet.
“It’s easy to throw up your hands and say there’s nothing you can do,” Affleck said at the time. “But the truth is that there are people who want to improve their lives, who are struggling, who need help and who you can benefit from by doing even a little bit, giving a little money or a little time. It’s just really powerful to be able to connect with people.”
He said his experience with the organization “was very positive and rewarding.”
Affleck’s sighting comes a day after DailyMail.com reported that he would be spending the holidays with Garner, their three children and her boyfriend John Miller.
“Ben and Jen are looking forward to today and Ben expects a relaxing day of food and football before getting back to work on the film,” a source told DailyMail.com exclusively.
“Thanksgiving is all about freedom from drama when it comes to Ben. It will be low-key, just good vibes and Jen plans to make today as easy as possible.”
A second insider said he was adamant that nothing would get in the way of the “meaningful holiday,” which will be celebrated at Garner’s home with Miller, whom she has been dating on and off since 2018.
On Thursday, the former couple, who share children: Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, reunited to volunteer at Midnight Mission
Along with their children, the pair worked together to help feed 2,000 homeless and near-homeless people in downtown Los Angeles during the nonprofit’s annual Thanksgiving brunch.
The businessman had previously expressed grievances about her involvement in Affleck’s marital problems with Lopez, but there is now “nothing but love and appreciation” between them all.
“Thanksgiving is such a meaningful holiday for them to spend together before the chaos of the Christmas season hits,” the source said.
‘Jen’s boyfriend is often involved and there is never a problem as they all have nothing but love and appreciation for each other.
“And yes, Jen Garner and the kids are cooking Thanksgiving dinner with no outside help.”
Affleck, who spent last Thanksgiving with Lopez, will no doubt be on hand to help comfort Garner who announced the heartbreaking news that her nine-year-old golden retriever Birdie had passed away.
Affleck and Garner finalized their divorce in October 2018, three years after they initially split; seen in 2011
Affleck is currently in the middle of divorcing Lopez after two years of marriage; seen in 2023
The actress paid tribute to her beloved pet, which she bought shortly after her 2015 divorce from Affleck.
“She lived a happy dog’s life and is now playing the role she was born to play: angel girl,” she told her Instagram followers on Wednesday. “It is a gift to love and be loved by a creature like Birdie the Doggie.”
Last week, reports surfaced that tensions were brewing between her and Lopez, despite the former taking on the role of “marriage counselor” during Affleck’s divorce from the singer.
Sources said at the time that she has now chosen to distance herself from the On the Floor hitmaker and does not want to have any “communication” with her “unless it has to do with the kids.”
“Her friends think she shouldn’t have let herself get so involved in helping JLo fix her marriage to Ben,” the source said.
Affleck, who spent last Thanksgiving with Lopez, will no doubt be on hand to comfort Garner who announced the heartbreaking news that her nine-year-old golden retriever Birdie had passed away.
Especially considering how Jen felt towards JLo at times during their own wedding. Jen is too nice and really wanted to help, so she tried.”
Earlier this year, DailyMail.com was told that Miller was fed up with Garner seeing it as her responsibility to help ‘fix’ her ex-husband’s beleaguered marriage.
Especially considering how Jen felt towards JLo at times during their own wedding. Jen is too nice and really wanted to help, so she tried.”
“John wants nothing more than for Ben to do well, but it’s not his girlfriend’s responsibility to play babysitter for him,” an insider said at the time.
‘Ben has to find that out for himself and let his wife find out. It’s not Jen’s responsibility, and he told her this.”
They added that Affleck was aware of being a “burden” and tried to avoid talking about his marital breakdown with Garner.
Garner and Affleck have remained amicable since their split (seen in June 2024)
Their eldest child, Violet, (seen above with her mother) turned 18 in December 2023
Affleck pictured with their youngest Samuel in November 2024
Garner and Affleck notably married in 2005, but their divorce was finalized in 2018 after 13 years of marriage.
Affleck reconciled with his ex Lopez in 2022, but she filed for divorce in August after two years of marriage.
Last month, she broke her silence about their split during a conversation with Interview magazine – and described the divorce as “sad” and “scary.”
‘It feels lonely, unknown, scary. It feels sad. It feels desperate,” the hitmaker said when asked what it was like to “be alone.”
“But if you sit in those feelings and say, ‘These things aren’t going to kill me,’ it’s like I’m capable of joy and happiness on my own.
‘Being in a relationship doesn’t define me. I can’t look for happiness in other people. I must have happiness within myself.
“I used to say I’m a happy person, but I was still looking for something to fill someone else, and it’s like, ‘No, I’m actually good.'”