Here’s What’s Apparently Going On Between Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner After Their Viral Thanksgiving Reunion

As you may know, women named Jennifer have been somewhat of a recurring theme in Ben Affeck’s love life over the past 20-something years.

Ben Affleck walking outside, holding an iced drink, wearing a plaid shirt over a graphic tee and jeans
Bellocqimages / GC Images

Our story starts in 2002, when Ben first began dating Jennifer Lopez after meeting on the set of their movie, Gigli. They got engaged but ultimately called off their wedding, leading to their eventual split in January 2004.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez on the red carpet at a formal event
Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Fortunately for Ben, he soon found another famous Jennifer to keep him company — his Pearl Harbor costar, Jennifer Garner.

Two people at a baseball game, wearing Red Sox hats and casual jackets. The woman is smiling and appears to be pregnant
New York Daily News Archive / NY Daily News via Getty Images

Ben and Jen tied the knot in 2005 and stayed together for a decade, welcoming three children: Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12.

A man in a tuxedo and a woman in a shimmering, tiered dress pose on a red carpet event
Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

After Ben and Jen separated in 2015, the actor strayed from Jennifers for a while and began dating Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus, followed by a highly publicized relationship with Ana De Armas.

Two people walking dogs on a sidewalk, casually dressed in jeans and sweaters. One carries drinks and a dog leash, while the other holds a phone
Bg004 / GC Images

However, it wasn’t long before he returned to his roots, bringing us to 2021 when Ben and J.Lo rekindled their relationship — this time, actually making it down the aisle.

  Robin L Marshall / WireImage
Robin L Marshall / WireImage

Unfortunately, that marriage didn’t work out either, with J.Lo filing for divorce from Ben in July after two years of marriage. And now, with Ben back on the market, a reunion between him and Jen Garner recently had fans convinced that history may be about to repeat itself.

Ben in a tuxedo on the red carpet, attending a celebrity event
Mondadori Portfolio / Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

In case you missed it, Ben and Jen were seen enjoying time together on Thanksgiving as they attended a charity event in LA with their kids.

The exes were photographed standing close by one another as they helped serve food at Midnight Mission’s annual Thanksgiving brunch.

It’s worth noting that Ben and Jen have always maintained a close co-parenting relationship and are often seen together. Although the timing of their Thanksgiving reunion off the back of Ben’s divorce led fans to speculate that a romantic comeback could be on the cards.

<div> <p>"Sometimes you gotta divorce the love of your life to marry the love of your life, just so you can divorce them and get back with the love of your life," one user <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=74679X1524629&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fellendurney%2Fben-affleck-leaning-on-jennifer-garner-amid-jlo-divorce&url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FMartyMcTweet%2Fstatus%2F1862348484399059434&xcust=7793311%7C0%7CRSS%7C56108876&xs=1" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;elmt:premonetized" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:wrote;elm:affiliate_link;elmt:premonetized;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link">wrote</a> on X, commenting on a <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=74679X1524629&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fellendurney%2Fben-affleck-leaning-on-jennifer-garner-amid-jlo-divorce&url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnypost%2Fstatus%2F1862302741462212990&xcust=7793311%7C0%7CRSS%7C56108873&xs=1" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;elmt:premonetized" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:viral report;elm:affiliate_link;elmt:premonetized;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link">viral report</a> about Ben and Jen's outing.</p> <p>"no one is more successful at getting an ex back like a bostonian man," joked <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=74679X1524629&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fellendurney%2Fben-affleck-leaning-on-jennifer-garner-amid-jlo-divorce&url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fhellbilly777%2Fstatus%2F1862327049530073557&xcust=7793311%7C0%7CRSS%7C56108875&xs=1" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;elmt:premonetized" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:someone else;elm:affiliate_link;elmt:premonetized;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link">someone else</a>.</p> <p>Hilariously, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=74679X1524629&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fellendurney%2Fben-affleck-leaning-on-jennifer-garner-amid-jlo-divorce&url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FGerryMcBride%2Fstatus%2F1862528638698090906&xcust=7793311%7C0%7CRSS%7C56108877&xs=1" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;elmt:premonetized" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:one post;elm:affiliate_link;elmt:premonetized;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link">one post</a> with over 361,000 likes read: "He just stands in the street shouting JENNIFER until one shows up."</p> </div><span> Bellocqimages / GC Images</span>

But now, an anonymous source has spoken out to set the record straight, clarifying that Ben and Jen’s relationship is strictly “platonic.”

Ben in a formal suit at a movie premiere, standing in front of a backdrop with
Rodin Eckenroth / FilmMagic

This week, an insider told Entertainment Tonight that the Gone Girl actor is “leaning on” his ex amid his divorce from J.Lo, emphasizing that he and Jen Garner “have always been close and always will be.”

The source said that Jen is attempting to support Ben without overstepping or giving too much advice, adding that she “knows him better than anyone, and he respects her.”“She is the mother of his kids and has been there for him through the worst and best times,” the insider continued.

The source said that Jen is attempting to support Ben without overstepping or giving too much advice, adding that she “knows him better than anyone, and he respects her.”

“She is the mother of his kids and has been there for him through the worst and best times,” the insider continued.

Bg004 / GC Images

As for what J.Lo thinks of all of this, the source told ET that the singer is fully aware that Jen and Ben’s relationship is platonic, and that both Jennifers are friendly with one another.

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Well, if anyone out there recently placed bets on a romantic rekindling between Ben and Jen Garner, I’m sorry to have ruined your Friday. With that in mind, who could you see Ben dating next? LMK in the comments.

BuzzFeed has reached out to representatives for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner for comment.

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