Who is Ben Affleck’s mum, Christopher Anne Boldt – and does she like Jennifer Lopez? She was seen supporting her grandkid Samuel’s basketball game, before leaving with her son’s ex, Jennifer Garner

Jun 4 , 2024

Ben Affleck and his mum Christine Anne Boldt in September 2018, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez seem to be attempting to quash any marriage woe rumours, as they were just spotted out and about with his mum Christopher Anne Boldt, aka “Chris”, as reported by British media.

Boldt joined the duo on Sunday to support her grandson Samuel’s basketball game, before departing with Affleck’s ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, adds the source.

Affleck and Lopez tied the knot in 2022, but have been in the news lately amid speculations around their marriage and how they seem to look visibly distressed whenever they are seen out in public together.

J.Lo, meanwhile, recently cancelled her US leg of her “This Is Me … Live” tour, with ticketing company Live Nation stating that the singer is “taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends”, reported BBC. That follows a less than stellar reception of her new album, This is Me … Now and Netflix film, Atlas.

But has she been getting along with her mother-in-law? Here’s what we know about Affleck’s supportive mum, and grandmother to his children with Garner.

Chris Ann Boldt encouraged her sons to pursue a creative career

Actor Casey Affleck and his mother Chris Boldt attend the Committed premiere in 2000, at the Mann Festival Theatre in Westwood, California. Photo: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

According to Affleck’s profile on Hello!, his mother encouraged him and his brother Casey to get into the arts and film from a young age. Boldt’s now-ex-husband Timothy Affleck struggled with alcoholism when the kids were growing up, but he has since gotten sober, per Hollywood Life.

“His life sort of hit the skids when I was in my teens,” Ben told The Hollywood Reporter. “It was difficult. When one’s parent is an alcoholic, it’s hard. It was a little scary and trying, but then he got sober when I was 20-something, and he’s been sober ever since.”

Ben’s parents divorced before he reached his teens, per the same source.

What did Chris Boldt do for work?

Christopher Anne Boldt in September 2018, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Per his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Affleck’s mother worked in education. “My mother taught public school, went to Harvard and then got her master’s there, and taught fifth and sixth grade in a public school,” he said.

His dad had a different career path, though: “My dad had a more working-class lifestyle. He didn’t go to college. He was an auto mechanic and a bartender and a janitor at Harvard.”

According to Distractify, Boldt is now a political and humanitarian activist. In the 1960s, she was one of the “original freedom riders” who travelled to the deep south to fight for civil rights.

She’s been to the Oscars

Actor Ben Affleck and his mother Chris Boldt, and actor Matt Damon and his mother Nancy Carlsson-Paige, attend the 70th Annual Academy Awards in 1998, at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Back in 1998, Affleck took his mum as his date to the 70th Academy Awards, where they were spotted hanging out with Affleck’s long-time friend Matt Damon and his mother, Nancy Carlsson-Paige.

She was reportedly “wary” of Jennifer Lopez

Ben Affleck and his mother, Chris Boldt, are seen heading to the Geffen Playhouse in January 2014, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

While it’s hard to know for sure what goes on in a celebrity’s personal life, that hasn’t stopped fans from offering their input on what they think might be happening with Affleck’s marriage – and the media haven’t stopped reporting on it, too.

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck’s mother Chris Boldt in August 2017, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Apparently though, there has been recent in-law drama, according to a report from InTouch published in December 2023. “They both want their mums to fly in and spend time together [for the winter holidays], but Christine [Boldt] has never really gelled with Lupe [Lopez], so they’ve always been tactfully kept apart,” a source told the publication, adding that Boldt is “wary” of Lopez.

She’s a doting grandma

While Boldt has remained largely out of the spotlight, she’s clearly a proud granny to her children’s kids. She also seems to get along well with Affleck’s ex, Garner, with one report from People stating that she stayed with the Daredevil actress and her grandchildren Violet, Fin and Samuel, in 2018, while Affleck was seeking treatment in a rehab facility.

Garner and Affleck announced their separation in June 2015, and filed for divorce two years later.

Fame and celebrity

Affleck and Lopez appear to be attempting to quash any rumours around their supposed marriage woes, as they were just spotted out and about with his mum Christopher Anne Boldt
Boldt joined the duo on Sunday to support her grandson Samuel’s basketball game, before departing with Affleck’s ex, Jennifer Garner – so does she get along with J.Lo?