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Entertainment
Claudia Willen
Updated
- Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas met while filming the psychological thriller "Deep Water" in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2019.
- They began dating shortly thereafter and were frequently spotted together in Los Angeles, California, during the pandemic.
- In January 2021, multiple outlets reported that Affleck and de Armas ended their relationship of nearly a year.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
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Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas, one of the more surprising couples to come out of 2020, have reportedly ended their relationship, according to multiple outlets.
The actors first met in 2019 while playing a married couple in the upcoming psychological thriller "Deep Water" and reportedly maintained a professional working relationship on set. However, the costars explored Cuba together after filming wrapped and spent much of the pandemic together in Los Angeles, California, where paparazzifrequently photographed them on walks together.
By January 2021, de Armas, who was married to Marc Clotet until 2013, and Affleck, who was married to Jennifer Garner until 2018, reportedly called it quits.
Here's everything we know about their relationship and subsequent breakup.
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2019: They met while shooting the film "Deep Water."
De Armas and Affleck play a married couple in the thriller "Deep Water," which is based on the novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith. The actors filmed the movie in New Orleans.
"They had great chemistry right from the start," a source told People, adding that the Cuban actress "is great and very pleasant to be around."
The source continued, "She always greets people with a smile and you never hear a complaint. She has this very calm and sweet personality."
And although they portray a husband and wife on the screen, the source explained that the costars maintained a strictly professional relationship while shooting the movie.
"Ben always seemed very relaxed and happy around Ana, but at the time there were no signs of romance," the source said, continuing, "He was very focused on making a fantastic movie. He arrived early and was one of the last people to leave."
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February 18, 2020: The "Batman" actor called his divorce from Jennifer Garner the "biggest regret of my life."
Affleck made headlines when he opened up about his 2018 divorce from the "13 Going on 30" actress during an interview with The New York Times.
"The biggest regret of my life is this divorce," he said, adding, "Shame is really toxic. There is no positive byproduct of shame. It's just stewing in a toxic, hideous feeling of low self-worth and self-loathing."
Garner and Affleck announced their divorce in June 2015, the same month that Us Weekly reported that the actor took a trip to Las Vegas with the family's ex-nanny. Affleck denied that he was having an affair, and his representative called the reports "complete garbage and full of lies."
Following their split, Garner told Vanity Fair that the ex-nanny "was not a part of the equation," adding, "Bad judgment? Yes."
Their divorce was finalized in 2018, and the couple continues to coparent their three children: Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel.
"It's not particularly healthy for me to obsess over the failures — the relapses — and beat myself up," the actor told The New York Times.
He continued, "I have certainly made mistakes. I have certainly done things that I regret. But you've got to pick yourself up, learn from it, learn some more, try to move forward."
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February 21, 2020: Affleck opened up about his desire to have a "healthy, stable, loving, committed relationship."
The actor spoke about his movie "The Way Back" and his decision to become sober following years of battling addiction during an interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC's "Good Morning America."
When Sawyer asked where he sees himself in five years, Affleck outlined his hopes for the future, making a point to mention his three children and a future partner.
"Five years from now, Ben Affleck is sober and happy and sees his kids three and a half days a week," he responded, adding that he also wants to be "in a healthy, stable, loving, committed relationship."
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March 8, 2020: The duo was spotted on vacation together in Havana, Cuba, and a source said they're "definitely dating."
Fans captured photos of the "Deep Water" costars together in Havana, Cuba.
During their trip, they enjoyed dinner out at Ivan Chef Casa,shopped around the city, and took photos with fans.
An eyewitness tweeted that Affleck, who said he picked up Spanish while filming a children's TV show in Mexico, was speaking to de Armas, who is Cuban, in her native tongue during the trip.
"Ana was his tour guide and took him to all her favorite places. Ben seemed to love the trip. He was in a great mood and very friendly," asource told People, adding that the actors are "definitely dating."
The source also said the couple was kissing at the airport before boarding their private jet.
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March 10, 2020: Paparazzi caught photos of Affleck and de Armas on a trip to Costa Rica.
The actors strolled down the beach during a trip to Costa Rica, as seen in photos published by outlets including People and Popsugar.
In the series of photos, Affleck is seen pulling the actress in for a kiss and carrying a camera to snap pictures of her during their walk.
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March 15, 2020: Affleck praised the "Knives Out" actress, saying that her talent is "infinite."
The actress landed the cover story of Vogue Spain's April issue, and her "Deep Water" costar shared kind words about her in the interview, which was translated by People.
"The first time we read the scenes together, it became pretty clear she was going to do something exceptional with a very complex role," Affleck said of de Armas, continuing, "Her character is the engine of the story and requires her to move between tragedy and irony or between realism and the most absurd comedy."
He added, "Not only does she know how to do it with ease, she also manages to surprise you in every shot. Her talent is infinite."
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March 22, 2020: A source told Us Weekly that de Armas is "very happy" with Affleck.
"Ana is very happy with Ben. She loves spending time with him and they have great chemistry and a lot of fun together," a source told Us Weekly.
Another source shared that Garner, who has been in a relationship with businessman John Miller since 2018, has been supportive of her ex-husband's new relationship.
"Jen has completely moved on from Ben in a romantic sense. She considers him a friend, thinks he is a good dad to their children and respects him," the source said, continuing,"She is happy in her own life and supportive of him and happy for him and his relationship."
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March 23, 2020: A source said that the couple "instantly had a connection," adding that de Armas has been supportive of Affleck's sobriety.
"Ben and Ana have been dating for a few weeks and are enjoying each other's company," the source told Entertainment Tonight, adding that the couple "instantly had a connection."
The source also explained that de Armas has supported Affleck's decision to be sober after years of battling addiction.
"Ben is sober and in a really good place and Ana respects him for the process he's going through," the source said, continuing, "Ben and Ana are still early into their relationship, but it's been fun and exciting for both."
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March 24, 2020: De Armas and Affleck took a break from self-quarantining by taking a PDA-filled walk.
As people were warned to stayed home to slow the spread of the coronavirus, de Armas and Affleck stepped out of self-isolation for some fresh air and shared a kiss, as seen in paparazzi photos published by The Sun.
"Ben and Ana are quarantined at his house, where they have been together since returning from Costa Rica," a source told E! News, adding, "They have a simple daily routine which includes walking Ana's dog and ordering food, which gets delivered by Postmates. Every other day, Ben has been visiting his kids and Ana stays behind at the house."
Several days later, the couple cuddled up again during another walk outside.
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April 30, 2020: De Armas posted Instagram pictures with Affleck on her birthday.
The actress shared a series of photos on her 32nd birthday, two of which were pictures of her and Affleck.
"Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes and love! Cheers to another great year," she wrote.
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May 27, 2020: A source says that de Armas is a "great influence" on Affleck and has spent time with his children.
"They are enjoying their time together," one of Affleck's friends told People. "He makes her laugh and she's a great influence. They safely visit with his family and he works to make sure he is healthy and present for his family. His priority will always be his children and making that work."
The source explained that de Armas spent Memorial Day weekend with the "Good Will Hunting" actor's three children at his home.
Another source told People that Affleck is "very serious" about her and "wants the kids to spend time with her so they can get to know her."
June 2, 2020: They rode a motorcycle through Los Angeles.
Affleck lifted his face shield while operating the motorcycle, while de Armas held on to him from behind.
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June 3, 2020: Affleck and de Armas attended Black Lives Matter protests.
The couple was photographed at a Black Lives Matter protest in Los Angeles.
In the photo, Affleck holds a "Black Lives Matter" sign and a poster to save a historically Black church in Venice.
June 5, 2020: Affleck's children put a cardboard cutout of de Armas in their dad's front yard.
Paparazzi photos surfaced of a cardboard cutout of de Armas in the front of Affleck's yard. Later pictures revealed that the actor's children — Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel — placed it there.
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June 15, 2020: De Armas met Affleck's mother.
The "Knives Out" actress took a trip with Affleck, his children, and his mother to Georgia, People reported.
"They are spending a few days in Georgia with Ben's kids. It's a low-key vacation," a source told the outlet. "Ana seems to love being around his kids. Everyone has been getting along great. Ana is making an effort to get to know his kids."
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July 3, 2020: They toured a residential property in Los Angeles together.
De Armas and Affleck were spotted entering a property in Venice, the area where the actress currently lives. Affleck, on the other hand, lives in Brentwood.
It remains unconfirmed whether they were looking for a new home to move in together, browsing the market, or investing in real estate.
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July 27, 2020: A source said Affleck does "everything he can" to make de Armas happy.
"Ben is so sweet to Ana and does everything he can to make her happy," a source told Us Weekly. "She can say anything — lunch, trips, etc. and he will make it happen."
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August 4, 2020: They went on a double date with Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso in Malibu.
Affleck and de Armas went on a double date to the beach with the "Argo" actor's longtime friend Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso, according to photos published by TMZ.
De Armas and Affleck didn't seem to be shy about showing affection, as they kissed and hugged in front of the other couple.
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August 15, 2020: De Armas bought her beau a custom BMW motorcycle for his 48th birthday.
For the actor's 48th birthday, de Armas surprised him with a custom BMW motorcycle built by WYLD Garage Co., People reported.
To break the motorcycle in, the couple was seen enjoying a joy ride around Los Angeles in matching green helmets.
Two days after the actor's birthday, de Armas shared a black-and-white selfie of them smiling on Instagram.
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November 2020: Affleck and de Armas resumed filming "Deep Water" in New Orleans.
Throughout November, de Armas and Affleck have been photographed in New Orleans as they resume filming "Deep Water," the psychological thriller that was put on pause due to the pandemic.
At one point, the couple was spotted kissing on a balcony, and the actress wore a diamond on her ring finger.
However, a source told People that the piece was costume jewelry for the film rather than an engagement ring.
The "Knock Knock" actress also posed with her dog in a picture she posted to her Instagram story, showing Affleck standing in the background.
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January 18, 2021: Affleck and de Armas broke up, according to multiple outlets.
The actors ended their relationship after nearly one year of dating, multiple outlets confirmed.
"Ben is no longer dating Ana," a source told People, adding, "She broke it off. Their relationship was complicated. Ana doesn't want to be Los Angeles based and Ben obviously has to since his kids live in Los Angeles."
The source explained that Affleck and de Armas' split was "mutual" and "completely amicable."
"They are in different points in their lives; there is deep love and respect there. Ben continues to want to work on himself. He has three jobs lined up and he's a solid father at home. They are both happy with where they are in their lives," the source said.
Shortly after the news broke, a popular de Armas fan account, Ana de Armas Updates, posted photos of a man removing the cardboard cutout of de Armas from Affleck's home and throwing it into a garbage bin.
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