Promoting his new political thriller (Oscar bait!) "Argo" in the latest issue of The Hollywood Reporter, Ben Affleck dropped some pretty juicy details about his personal life. To wit: The 40-year-old actor still keeps in touch with one-time fiancee Jennifer Lopez, and Jennifer Garner's stalker inspired him to keep guns in his house.
Despite recently blasting his Bennifer period as one of the worst phases in his life, Affleck says that he has nothing but respect for Lopez:
"We don't have the kind of relationship where she relies on me for advice, but we do have the kind of relationship where there'll be an e-mail saying, 'Oh, your movie looks great.' I remember when she got American Idol. I said: 'This was really smart. Good luck.' I touch base. I respect her. I like her. She's put up with some stuff that was unfair in her life, and I'm really pleased to see her successful."
On Garner, Affleck is a little more careful. He said that Garner's stalker (who was arrested in Dec. 2009) "gave me a stronger sense of feeling protective about my family' -- which means that he also keeps guns in the house. Affleck and Garner, also 40, married in 2005; the couple has three children together.
Affleck also reveals what originally attracted him to his wife of seven years. "She truly is kind. She means no one any harm. She doesn't have ill will for any person. She's not competitive with other people. She's not spiteful," he told the publication. "It's one of those things where it becomes almost aggravating at times. Every time I go, 'F--- him!' I see in her face that she just thinks that's petty and small."
Affleck directed and stars in "Argo," a true story about a CIA operative who goes undercover to rescue six American hostages out of 1979 Iran. The movie opens in theaters Friday, Oct. 12.
For more on Ben Affleck, click through to The Hollywood Reporter.
