Gwyneth Paltrow Shares Thoughts on Her Past Relationship with Ben Affleck

Gwyneth Paltrow Reflects on Past Relationship with Ben Affleck

In a recent interview with Amy Poehler, Gwyneth Paltrow shared a rare glimpse into her past relationship with ex-boyfriend Ben Affleck. The pair dated from 1997 to 2000 and starred together in the films Shakespeare in Love (1998) and Bounce (2000).

During the conversation, which centered around the late actor Robin Williams, Paltrow recalled her connection to Williams through Affleck’s involvement in the acclaimed film Good Will Hunting. “I only got to know him a bit when Good Will Hunting came out because I was dating one of the people who wrote that movie and was in that movie,” Paltrow stated.

Poehler, aware of the context, responded with a light-hearted remark, acknowledging Paltrow’s unmentioned reference to Affleck. “We’re well aware,” she quipped.

Paltrow went on to express her admiration for Good Will Hunting, declaring, “I love that movie. It’s a perfect movie. I love it so much.”

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Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck at the premiere of ‘Armageddon’ in 1998.
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Paltrow and Affleck’s relationship began shortly after her breakup with Brad Pitt in 1997. Though their romance was brief, it coincided with significant milestones in both of their careers, including Paltrow’s Oscar win for Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love, which garnered seven Academy Awards in 1999.

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Gwyneth Paltrow winning the Oscar for Best Actress at the 1999 Academy Awards.
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After their split, Paltrow moved on to marry Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay, with whom she "consciously uncoupled" in 2016. She later married Brad Falchuk in 2018. In contrast, Affleck had a marriage to Jennifer Garner from 2005 to 2018, followed by a subsequent marriage to Jennifer Lopez from 2022 to 2025.

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Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck at a Dior fashion show in 1999.
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