Ben Affleck shocked fans when a video of him speaking fluent Spanish went viral this week. While promoting his new movie Air, Affleck showcased the ease of his Spanish conversation…
Ben Affleck attends Amazon Studios’ World Premiere Of “AIR” at Regency Village Theatre on March 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Ben Affleck shocked fans when a video of him speaking fluent Spanish went viral this week. While promoting his new movie Air, Affleck showcased the ease of his Spanish conversation skills in an interview with a Spain-based radio network. After posting the interview on their TikTok account, fans flooded the comments with jokes and their shock.
One person commented, "This is our new Benito, huh?" Another person added, "The switch from Ben to Benito" with laughing face emojis. Someone wrote of his resting bitch face, "Why is he so much more attractive when speaking Spanish? He even looks happier." Meanwhile, another joked, "But damn he speaks better than J Lo." Complementing the actor, one person said, "When he speaks Spanish, he also immersed himself in the culture. You can see it in the jokes, [choice] of words mannerisms."
Speaking Spanish Isn't New To Ben
This isn't the first time the Gone Girl actor has shown off his Spanish skills -- he's appeared on other Spanish programs and chats with paparazzi in the language on several occasions.
In 2020, he said on The Kelly Clarkson Show that he speaks Spanish "passively" and learned the language as a teen actor working in Mexico in the '80s. Referencing the PBS series The Second Voyage of the Mimi, the educational show focused on a fictional crew of a sailboat who explored Mayan ruins in southern Mexico. At just 12 years old, this marked the actor's TV debut and from it, he learned another language.
"I did a little kids TV series when I was young, and when I was 13, that season, that year was in Mexico," Ben told host Kelly Clarkson. "And so I was in Mexico for a year, and that's how I picked it up."
Affleck is aware of his accent and told Clarkson, "The problem with Spanish is that you learn a bunch of words. Like, I learn all these words, in Mexico, some good, some ya know. And then you go somewhere else. Like you go to Spain or you go to South America and they're like, 'No, that's not Spanish.' And then they're like, you have a Mexican accent."
The Sexiest Men Alive From The Last 20 Years
Take a stroll through the last 20 years of People's Sexiest Men Alive. This year, the award went to Grey's Anatomy's neurosurgeon Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd. The long-awaited title is something we look forward to every year, and this year's choice has been worth the wait. The actor has never been given the title before, and with nearly 20 years of being television eye candy, the actor told the publication when he first heard the news, “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right?” As for how his kids will respond, the Maine native insists they’re just going to make fun of him.
Humble Beginnings
Growing up in Maine, he recalled always having to be moving, so he took up a lot of sports like baseball, soccer, skiing, cycling." The Ferrari actor had dyslexia, so he didn't love school, and described himself as a "late bloomer." In his youth, Dempsey joined a vaudeville troupe and rode a unicycle while juggling.
Now, the key is maturity and wisdom for the Can't Buy Me Love alum. "You go through cycles of life, so you understand there are going to be high and low moments and what are the most important things. Everything else is a gift.” Despite his heartthrob status over the years, “I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life,” he says of his new title.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and People magazine has their own taste. See the Sexiest Men Alive from the last 20 years below:
2003
VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 28: Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the premiere of his film, "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" at the 60th Venice Film Festival August 28, 2003 in Venice, Italy. The annual Venice Film Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious cinema events in Europe. The festival is scheduled to be held in Italy for ten days. Films are shown at venues all over the Lido. The festival traditionally sponsors non-Hollywood films and the top award is known as the Golden Lion. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) Franco Origlia/Getty Images
2004
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Actor Jude Law arrives to the premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Closer" on November 22, 2004 at the Mann Village, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Kevin Winter/Getty Images
2005
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 13: Actor Matthew McConaughey arrives for the Spanish premiere of his new film "Sahara" at the Palacio de la Musica Cinema on April 13, 2005 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
2006
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Actor George Clooney answers questions during a news conference after addressing the United Nations Security Council on Dafur at the UN September 14, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) Scott Wintrow/Getty Images
2007
LAS VEGAS - JULY 5: Actor Matt Damon arrives at the Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament during the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel & Casino July 5, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Proceeds from the event will benefit survivors of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Ethan Miller/Getty Images
2008
BERLIN - DECEMBER 12: Actor Hugh Jackman attends the German photocall for "Australia" on December 12, 2008 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Sean Gallup/Getty Images
2009
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Actor Johnny Depp attends 'The Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit: A Tribute To Tim Burton' at The Museum of Modern Art on November 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
2010
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 14: Actor Ryan Reynolds attends an Exclusive Reception hosted by BlackBerry for "Buried" at TIFF at Thomson Hotel on September 14, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) Joe Scarnici/Getty Images
2011
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. "The Hangover Part II" held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on May 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
2012
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Actor Channing Tatum arrives at the closing night gala premiere of 'Magic Mike' at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festiva held at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 24, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) Jason Merritt/Getty Images
2013
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 07: Actor Adam Levine arrives at the "Can A Song Save Your Life?" premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 7, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) Jason Merritt/Getty Images
2014
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 01: Actor Chris Hemsworth at the Johnnie Walker Marquee on Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 1, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Scott Barbour/Getty Images
2015
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: David Beckham attends the British Fashion Awards 2015 at London Coliseum on November 23, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images) Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
2016
MIAMI BEACH, FL - JULY 14: Dwayne Johnson attends the HBO "Ballers" Season 2 Red Carpet Premiere and Reception on July 14, 2016 at New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for HBO) Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for HBO
2017
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Blake Shelton poses for a photo during NBC's "The Voice" Season 13 on November 20, 2017 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for NBC) Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for NBC
2018
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Idris Elba attends the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2018 at the Theatre Royal on November 18, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
2019
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: John Legend attends The Hollywood Reporter's Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast Gala at Milk Studios on December 11, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images ) Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
2020
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Michael B. Jordan attends the Coach 1941 fashion show during February 2020 - New York Fashion Week on February 11, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows) Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows
2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Actor Paul Rudd attends the GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE World Premiere on November 15, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sony Pictures) Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
2022
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Chris Evans attends "The Gray Man" Special Screening at BFI Southbank on July 19, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
2023
VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Patrick Dempsey attends a red carpet for the movie "Ferrari" at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2023 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images) Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Laila Abuelhawa is the Top 40 and Hip-Hop pop culture writer for Beasley Media Group. Being with the company for over three years, Laila's fierce and fabulous red-carpet rankings have earned her a feature on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!' Her favorite stories are those surrounding the latest in celebrity fashion, television and film rankings, and how the world reacts to major celebrity news. With a background in journalism, Laila's stories ensure accuracy and offer background information on stars that you wouldn't have otherwise known. She prides herself in covering stories that inform the public about what is currently happening and what is to come in the ever-changing, ever-evolving media landscape.