A claim of a distant familial connection to a major Hollywood star, made by a reality television personality, has created a swirl of public speculation met with firm private denials.
Jen Affleck, known for her role on the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has publicly suggested that her husband, Zac Affleck, is related to actor Ben Affleck. She stated in an interview that Zac’s father is a second cousin to Ben and his brother, Casey Affleck, characterizing the link as “kind of a joke, but also, like, kind of real.”
The timing of these claims coincided with increased public attention on the Affleck name, following the high-profile separation of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. Jen Affleck further fueled speculation with social media posts playfully referencing the situation.
However, this narrative has been directly contested. A source close to Zac Affleck’s family has explicitly denied any relation, telling outlets, “There’s no relationship,” and clarifying alleged connections within the family tree are incorrect.
The disagreement even played out on their television show. During a recent season, Zac Affleck was seen on camera challenging his wife’s assertion, noting, “No one’s ever said we’re related to him — besides you.” He acknowledged that the idea of a connection has long been a “running joke” within his family but advised his wife that publicly promoting the theory might “backfire.”
The situation highlights the blurred lines between personal family lore and public narrative, especially within the realm of reality television, where personal stories often become central plot points. For now, the alleged Hollywood lineage remains a point of contention, with one spouse championing the claim and the other, along with family sources, refuting it.
