Being the kid of two of the biggest stars on the planet sounds like a dream, right? Private jets, courtside seats, and maybe a shoe closet that would make a hypebeast weep. But if you're Ben Affleck son Samuel, reality is a lot more... grounded. Or at least, that’s what his dad is trying to make sure of.
Lately, the youngest of the Affleck-Garner trio has been popping up in the news more than usual. He isn't just "the kid in the background" of paparazzi shots anymore. He’s 13 now. A teenager. And with that comes the kind of hilarious, awkward, and totally relatable growing pains that even an Oscar-winning director has to navigate.
The Viral $6,000 Sneaker Stand-Off
If you want to know what it’s like to be Ben Affleck son Samuel, look no further than a viral moment from early 2025. Imagine you’re at a sneaker convention. You see a pair of Dior Air Force 1s. They’re beautiful. They also cost $6,000.
Samuel, being a kid who knows his dad is "Ben Affleck," naturally asked for them. Ben’s response? A hard no.
"That's a lot of lawns you gotta mow there," Ben joked during an interview shortly after. He basically told the kid that while he has the money, Samuel is technically broke. It’s a funny glimpse into the Affleck-Garner parenting playbook: just because you can afford it doesn’t mean you should buy it.
Ben even did the math for him. At minimum wage, Samuel would have to work about 1,000 hours to buy those shoes. Honestly, there’s something kind of refreshing about a Hollywood dad telling his son to go find a lawnmower instead of handing over the Amex.
Betting, Basketball, and the "Family Business"
It turns out Samuel has picked up more than just his dad’s chin dimple. He’s a massive sports fan. You’ve probably seen him sitting courtside at Lakers games or rocking Red Sox gear at Fenway Park.
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But recently, Ben shared a story on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that had people talking. Apparently, Samuel asked for $100 to start betting on sports with his friends.
"My son asked me like a month ago, [he] was like, 'Hey, um, can I get like 100 bucks to bet on sports?'"
Ben’s reaction was pure dad energy. He was shocked but also saw the irony. Ben’s own father used to be a small-time bookie back in the day. Ben remembers his dad coming home and telling him they could thank a specific quarterback’s bad knees for their new VCR.
But when it came to Samuel? Ben shut it down with a classic line: "There’s a reason your grandfather’s broke."
Living Life Between Two Jennifers
Growing up as Ben Affleck son Samuel means navigating a family tree that the tabloids love to prune. He was born on February 27, 2012, to Ben and Jennifer Garner. Even though his parents split years ago, they’ve managed to pull off one of the most successful co-parenting acts in Hollywood.
They’re constantly seen together at Samuel’s school plays and basketball games. In late 2025, they were spotted at one of Samuel’s performances where things got a little crowded—both Jennifer Garner and Jennifer Lopez were in attendance.
Despite the divorce between Ben and J-Lo earlier in 2024, Samuel has reportedly stayed close with his former stepmom and her kids. It’s a complicated dynamic, but Samuel seems to handle it with the kind of chill you’d expect from a kid raised in the spotlight.
Fast Facts: Samuel Garner Affleck
- Birth Date: February 27, 2012
- Siblings: Violet (20) and Fin (17)
- Current Age: 13
- Primary Interests: Basketball, classic movies, and (attempted) sports betting.
A New Interest in the Family Craft
For a long time, Samuel wasn’t that into movies. Ben has joked in the past that his kids find his work "cringe" or just plain boring. They’d rather watch TikTok.
But things are shifting. Ben recently mentioned on a podcast that Samuel has finally started taking an interest in "real" cinema. They’ve been watching 70s Scorsese films together. Ben called it "the happiest I may ever be in my whole life."
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It’s a big deal for a guy like Ben, who lives and breathes film. Watching his son move from short-form social media to appreciating the grit of Taxi Driver or Raging Bull is clearly a bonding milestone for them.
The Reality of Being a "Nepo Baby"
We talk a lot about nepo babies, but Ben and Jen seem determined to keep Samuel from becoming a stereotype. Unlike some celebrity kids who are launched into modeling or acting at age five, Samuel’s life feels relatively normal.
- He does chores. Jennifer Garner is big on the "do it yourself" mentality.
- He’s not pushed into acting. Ben recently said he wouldn't push any of his kids into the industry.
- He deals with boundaries. Whether it’s $6,000 shoes or betting money, he’s getting "no" for an answer.
Samuel is the youngest, often seen as the "baby" of the family, but as he enters his teens, he’s clearly carving out his own personality. He’s got the Boston sports obsession from his dad and the grounded, "girl next door" sensibility from his mom.
What's Next for Samuel?
As Ben Affleck son Samuel continues through middle school and heads toward high school, expect to see less of him, not more. His parents have always been protective of their kids' privacy.
While his sister Violet is off at Yale making speeches about public health, Samuel seems content being a kid who likes basketball and hanging out with his dad. He’s at that age where the world is starting to open up, but for now, he's just a 13-year-old navigating the weirdness of having famous parents.
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If you’re following the Affleck family saga, the takeaway is pretty simple. They’re trying to raise a normal kid in an abnormal world. And if Samuel ever does get those $6,000 sneakers, you can bet he’ll have to mow every lawn in Brentwood to pay for them.
What you can do now:
Keep an eye on Jennifer Garner’s social media for the occasional "relatable mom" post that gives a glimpse into their family life without the paparazzi lens. If you’re a parent navigating the "can I have money for sports betting" talk, take a page out of Ben’s book: a firm "no" and a history lesson on why the house always wins.