Ben Affleck Reveals Why He and Jennifer Garner Don’t Pressure Their Kids About Their Futures

The last thing Ben Affleck wants is to control his kids’ futures.  

After all, the Oscar winner revealed that he and ex-wife Jennifer Garner aren’t interested in pushing Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, or Samuel, 13, to follow in their footsteps in front of the camera.

“You put something on your children when you have a public life and that’s complicated,” Ben exclusively told E! News in a joint interview with Matt Damon at The Rip world premiere Jan. 13. “We really want to give them room to figure out what they want to do.”

“I wouldn’t push them into that. They’re brilliant and lovely and wonderful and we love them and we’re proud of them,” he continued, before quipping, “and hope that they don’t waste their life acting.”

Although the Good Will Hunting alum understands the privilege his and Jennifer’s careers have provided for their kids—as well as Matt and wife Luciana Damon‘s four daughters—he’s grateful for his own upbringing.