From sitting courtside at Lakers games to debating the price of designer sneakers with his father, Samuel Garner Affleck has become a familiar face during occasional family outings. The youngest child of Hollywood actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner is growing up in the public eye, even as his parents work to give him a childhood outside the entertainment industry’s spotlight.
Born on February 27, 2012, Samuel turned 14 years old in 2026. His appearance alongside his mother at the New York Stock Exchange earlier this year drew fresh attention to his resemblance to Ben Affleck. Behind the photographs is a teenager interested in basketball, baseball, and sneakers, with two famous parents who remain closely involved in his upbringing.
Quick Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samuel Garner Affleck |
| Nickname | Sam |
| Date of Birth | February 27, 2012 |
| Age (2026) | 14 years old |
| Birthplace | Santa Monica, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | Ben Affleck |
| Mother | Jennifer Garner |
| Older Siblings | Violet Affleck and Fin Affleck |
| Paternal Uncle | Casey Affleck |
| Sports Interests | Basketball and baseball |
| Notable 2026 Appearance | Once Upon a Farm’s NYSE debut |
Samuel Garner Affleck’s Age, Birthplace, and Early Childhood
Samuel Garner Affleck was born on February 27, 2012, in Santa Monica, California. Two days later, Ben Affleck announced his son’s arrival on his official Facebook page, sharing the family’s happiness about welcoming a healthy baby boy. Samuel became the couple’s third child, joining his two older siblings.
His middle name, Garner, matches his mother’s family surname, giving his full name a connection to both parents. The timing of his arrival was also significant for Ben, whose directing career was entering another important chapter with the release of Argo later that year.
Samuel spent his earliest years during a period when both parents were established Hollywood stars. Jennifer Garner was balancing acting with motherhood, while Ben Affleck worked as an actor, director, and producer. Despite their demanding careers, they regularly emphasized the importance of family time.
As Samuel moved from childhood into his teenage years, occasional family outings offered glimpses of his developing interests. Sports, particularly basketball and baseball, became recurring parts of his public appearances.
Meet Samuel Garner Affleck’s Parents and Older Siblings
Samuel is the youngest of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s three children. His father is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker known for Good Will Hunting, Argo, and Air. His mother became widely recognized through Alias and 13 Going on 30, later expanding her work into business and children’s nutrition.
His eldest sibling, Violet Anne Affleck, was born on December 1, 2005. Violet began attending Yale University in 2024 and has become involved in public-health advocacy, including discussions about air quality, disease prevention, and environmental health.
Samuel’s middle sibling, Fin Affleck, was born in January 2009. Fin publicly introduced their name during an April 2024 memorial service for Jennifer Garner’s father, William Garner, where they participated in a reading.
The siblings have shared occasional family outings, including sporting events. In July 2025, Samuel and Fin attended a Boston Red Sox game with their parents at Fenway Park. With Violet pursuing college studies, the children’s lives now span different stages of young adulthood and adolescence.
How Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Raise Samuel After Divorce
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner married in June 2005, announced their separation in 2015, and finalized their divorce in 2018. Although their marriage ended, both remained active parents to Violet, Fin, and Samuel.
Their approach to co-parenting has evolved as their children have grown. In a February 2026 interview with Bustle, Garner described the balance required when children grow up in two households: “I become mom and dad; he becomes dad and mom.”
She explained that each parent takes on different responsibilities when raising children separately. In another 2026 interview, Garner described her changing approach to parenting teenagers as “parenting with a button on my mouth.” She emphasized allowing her children to make decisions as they mature.
One example came during Samuel’s 14th birthday celebration. On February 28, 2026, a day after his birthday, Ben and Jennifer joined Samuel and his friends at Combat Paintball Park in Castaic, California.
The former couple were photographed carrying paintball equipment and spending time together at the venue. Samuel had enjoyed a similar paintball birthday outing the previous year, making the activity a recurring part of his celebrations.
Why Samuel’s Parents Have Protected His Privacy
Growing up with famous parents can attract attention long before a child understands celebrity culture. Jennifer Garner has been particularly outspoken about protecting children from unwanted photographers and the pressures that come with being part of a well-known family.
In August 2013, when Samuel was still a toddler, Garner joined actress Halle Berry in supporting California Senate Bill 606. The legislation was designed to strengthen protections for children targeted by harassing paparazzi because of their parents’ work.
Garner testified before lawmakers about the impact of intrusive photography on her family. The measure was signed into law in September 2013, with stronger penalties for certain forms of harassment directed at celebrity children.
Ben Affleck has expressed similar concerns about his children’s independence. At the January 13, 2026 premiere of The Rip, he explained that a parent’s public career can place additional expectations on children.
“We really want to give them room to figure out what they want to do,” he said, making clear that he and Garner do not intend to push their children into acting.
Samuel has therefore experienced Hollywood mainly through his family connections, rather than through a professional entertainment career. His most recognizable appearances have involved birthdays, sports, and occasions supporting his parents.
Samuel Garner Affleck’s Love of Basketball and Baseball
One of Samuel’s memorable basketball experiences happened on February 6, 2025, when he attended a Los Angeles Lakers game against the Golden State Warriors with Ben Affleck.
Sitting courtside at Crypto.com Arena, Samuel wore a LeBron James Lakers jersey over a dark hoodie. The Lakers won 120–112, with James scoring 42 points and Warriors star Stephen Curry contributing 37.
After the game, Samuel and his father had the opportunity to meet Stephen Curry. Photographs captured the pair talking with the basketball star, giving Samuel a memorable experience beyond watching the game itself.
His interest in professional sports extends to baseball. In March 2019, Ben Affleck discussed coaching Samuel’s Little League team during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Affleck, a devoted Boston Red Sox fan, found himself coaching a team called the Dodgers. He joked about having to wear a Los Angeles Dodgers cap despite his strong allegiance to Boston.
In July 2025, the family attended a Red Sox game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Ben, Jennifer, Fin, and Samuel appeared together during the television broadcast as Boston secured a 5–4 victory.
These outings have become a recurring feature of Samuel’s relationship with his father, whose love of professional sports has been part of his public identity for years.
The Viral $6,000 Dior Sneakers Moment at Got Sole
Samuel’s interest in sneakers attracted attention in March 2025, when he visited the Got Sole sneaker convention in Los Angeles with Ben Affleck.
During the event, Samuel admired a pair of limited-edition Dior x Air Jordan 1 High sneakers carrying a price tag of approximately $6,000. His father responded with a playful reminder that expensive shoes require serious money.
“That’s a lot of lawns you’ve got to mow there,” Ben joked.
When Affleck teased Samuel about liking the sneakers simply because they were expensive, his son defended his choice: “No, they’re tough! I always said they look good.”
The conversation attracted attention online because of the relaxed father-son exchange. Despite Ben Affleck’s net worth and decades of financial success in Hollywood, he emphasized that his ability to afford expensive shoes did not mean Samuel automatically had the same spending power.
Samuel also admired Nike Air Yeezy 2 Red October sneakers at the convention. His father expressed an interest in Nike’s De La Soul SB Dunk designs, revealing that both share an enthusiasm for collectible footwear.
For all the celebrity attention surrounding the outing, the conversation itself was familiar: a teenager wanted something expensive, and his father wanted him to understand what it cost.
Samuel’s Relationship With Jennifer Lopez and His Extended Family
Samuel’s family relationships also include time spent with Jennifer Lopez, who married Ben Affleck in July 2022. During their marriage, Samuel became part of a blended family that included Lopez’s twins, Max and Emme, whom she shares with singer Marc Anthony.
Lopez and Affleck separated in 2024, and their divorce was finalized in January 2025. Their marriage and separation brought considerable attention to the families involved, but Samuel continued appearing with his father during everyday outings.
On December 21, 2025, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, and Samuel were photographed together during a holiday shopping trip in Los Angeles.
The group visited Brentwood Country Mart, where they spent time shopping and having lunch. It was one of the public occasions showing continued contact between Samuel and his former stepmother after the marriage ended.
Samuel also has a famous paternal uncle, Casey Affleck, an Academy Award-winning actor known for Manchester by the Sea. His extended family includes several people with established careers in filmmaking and acting.
Samuel’s 2026 NYSE Appearance and Resemblance to Ben Affleck
On February 6, 2026, Samuel accompanied Jennifer Garner to the New York Stock Exchange for a major milestone involving her children’s food company, Once Upon a Farm.
Garner had joined the company as a co-founder in September 2017, alongside business leaders including John Foraker and Cassandra Curtis. The company specializes in organic food products for babies and children, including refrigerated pouches and snacks.
Its shares began trading on the NYSE under the ticker OFRM, following an initial public offering priced at $18 per share. The offering involved nearly 11 million shares and valued the business at approximately $724 million at the IPO price.
Samuel joined his mother on the trading floor, wearing a navy suit with a light-colored shirt. Garner wore a coordinated dark-blue outfit, and the pair were photographed smiling and holding hands.
The images drew attention to Samuel’s changing appearance as he approached his 14th birthday. His facial features and expressions prompted comparisons with his father, with some observers describing him as Ben Affleck’s mini-me.
There was also a personal connection to the business occasion. Samuel was only five when Garner joined Once Upon a Farm, meaning the company’s development had taken place during much of his childhood.
Watching his mother celebrate a significant professional achievement offered a different experience from the basketball games and casual family outings where he is usually seen.
Samuel Garner Affleck’s Social Media and Online Privacy
Jennifer Garner has taken a cautious approach to social media use within her family. During an April 2023 appearance on Today, she explained that she had established strict expectations about Instagram and similar platforms for her children.
Her challenge to them was straightforward: “Show me the articles that prove that social media is good for teenagers.” Garner explained that she wanted scientific evidence before reconsidering her position.
Samuel’s visibility online has largely come through photographs taken at public events and occasional images shared by his parents. Garner’s own social media accounts include family memories, although she generally avoids making her children’s everyday lives the focus.
For Father’s Day in June 2026, Garner shared rare throwback photographs of Ben Affleck with their children. One showed Affleck wearing a Batman costume while holding a younger Samuel.
The photograph offered a glimpse of Samuel’s early childhood without turning his personal life into a continuous stream of public updates.
Interesting Facts About Samuel Garner Affleck
- He once had an accidental Lamborghini mishap. In June 2022, ten-year-old Samuel accidentally caused a Lamborghini Urus to roll backward into a parked BMW at a Los Angeles dealership. Nobody was injured.
- He helped introduce an NBA celebrity game. During 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Samuel joined Ben Affleck on the court and spoke into a microphone while helping introduce the celebrity game.
- He once asked his father for sports betting money. During a January 2026 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ben recalled Samuel asking for $100 to bet on sports. His father’s surprised reaction became a humorous part of the interview.
- His name connects both sides of his family. Samuel carries his father’s surname, Affleck, while his middle name, Garner, is the same surname used by his mother and her family.
- He appeared in a family Batman photograph. Jennifer Garner’s June 2026 Father’s Day tribute included a childhood image of Samuel being held by Ben Affleck while his father wore a Batman costume.
Growing Up on His Own Terms
Samuel Garner Affleck has spent his childhood surrounded by two successful entertainment careers, yet his most memorable moments have little to do with acting. They involve basketball games, Little League baseball, family birthday celebrations, and the occasional disagreement with his father about expensive sneakers.
As he moves further into his teenage years, his parents continue to emphasize privacy, independence, and the freedom to make his own choices. His appearance at the New York Stock Exchange showed how much he has grown, while his shared outings with Ben and Jennifer reveal the continuing importance of family.
Whether Samuel eventually chooses a public career or follows a different path, his parents’ message has remained consistent: his future should be his own decision.
FAQs
How old is Samuel Garner Affleck in 2026?
Samuel Garner Affleck is 14 years old in 2026. He was born on February 27, 2012, in Santa Monica, California.
Why is Samuel Garner Affleck’s middle name Garner?
Garner is his mother’s family surname. Samuel’s full name combines the surnames associated with Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck.
Why did Samuel Affleck go viral over $6,000 sneakers?
At Got Sole in March 2025, Samuel admired expensive Dior Air Jordans, prompting Ben Affleck to joke about mowing lawns to afford them.
Why did Samuel Garner Affleck attend the NYSE in 2026?
Samuel accompanied Jennifer Garner to the New York Stock Exchange on February 6, 2026, celebrating the public debut of Once Upon a Farm.
Does Samuel Garner Affleck use Instagram or TikTok?
Jennifer Garner described strict family rules on social media in 2023. Samuel’s public appearances are mainly shared through family posts and events.
