Ben Affleck Is ‘Reaching Out’ to Help With LA Fires While Jennifer Garner Feels ‘Guilty’ Over Friend Loss
Ben Affleck recently fled his home in Los Angeles amid the fires. Many celebrities were struck by misfortune and were directly affected by the flames, resulting in the loss of significant personal property. Affleck was able to head to Jennifer Garner’s place and temporarily seek refuge. Now, he’s allegedly “reaching out” to people to help with the devastation. And Garner recently opened up about the “guilt” she feels after losing a friend in the fires.
Ben Affleck feels ‘so grateful’ that his $20 million property wasn’t affected by the LA fires
Many celebrities throughout LA and Southern California lost their homes to the fires in January 2025. In July 2024, Ben Affleck moved into a $20 million home in Brentwood near his first ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. Affleck was forced to evacuate his home amid the natural disaster. He fled to Garner’s home and returned to his place on Jan. 8, 2025, after catching wind that the fires didn’t reach his home.
“Ben’s home is still under evacuation order, but he feels so grateful his property is safe for the time being,” an insider told Page Six.
The insider noted that Affleck “knows many people who unfortunately lost their homes.” As a result, the A-lister is “reaching out to anybody he can to help.”
Affleck bought the five-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion a month before Jennifer Lopez officially filed for divorce. Before the purchase, Affleck was staying in a $100,000 monthly rental in the same area. Photos captured by paparazzi showed him frequently heading over to Garner’s place. He retained a friendly relationship with his ex after splitting in 2015. And they still spend ample time together for the good of their three kids: Violet, 19, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12.
Jennifer Garner says she feels ‘guilty’ after a friend died in the wildfires
Ben Affleck might be consoling Jennifer Garner amid her tragic loss. Garner spoke to MSNBC amid the wreckage in the Palisades.
“I’ve lived in and around the Palisades for 25 years, so, I think, all of us, we want to get our hands into working somehow to be helpful,” Garner said.
The 13 Going on 30 actor explained how she lost a friend and isn’t yet ready to speak on the tragedy.
“I did lose a friend, and for our church, it’s really tender, so I don’t feel like I should talk about her yet,” she continued. “I did lose a friend who did not get out in time. My heart bleeds for my friends. I can think of 100 families — and there are 5,000 homes lost — I can write out a list of 100 friends who lost their homes. I feel almost guilty walking through my house. What can I do, how can I help, what can I offer? What do I have to offer with these hands, and these walls, and the safety that I have?”
Violet Affleck allegedly feels ‘vindicated’ in her pro-mask stance
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s oldest daughter, Violet, advocated for mask mandates to protect the population from coronavirus (COVID-19). A source told DailyMail.com that Violet now feels “vindicated” for her mask-wearing push amid the LA fires.
“Violet Affleck has been pressuring her family to put a mask on since she has been back home because right now the air quality is unhealthy,” an insider explained. “She is clearly not going to give up on advocating for mask mandates. It has become a part of who she is and what she stands for. She is so passionate about this and she feels vindicated for her work championing masks because she does, truly, believe that her opposition to the ban is warranted.”
The insider noted that Violet hopes the fires will show the public that “masks can be used in times not only connected to the spread of a virus.”
For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram.
