Hollywood A-lister Ben Affleck, 52, is drawing attention for a recent parenting moment involving his teenage son and an expensive sneaker purchase.
According to CNBC, Affleck recently took his 13-year-old son, Samuel, to a sneaker convention.
At the event, Samuel became interested in a pair of limited-edition Dior Air Jordan 1 sneakers, which cost $6,000. He then asked his father to buy them.
Affleck, however, stood firm and refused. He reportedly told his son, “That’s a lot of lawns you’ve gotta mow there,” he said his son. “You just like those because they’re expensive.”
The Argo director addressed the incident on March 8 during a red carpet event at South by Southwest (SXSW), the largest content festival in the U.S.
Affleck shared his parenting philosophy, stating that he makes his kids do chores to earn their allowance, which helps them understand the value of a dollar and curb impulsive spending. With a chuckle, he added that when he told his son he’d need to mow the lawn, his son suddenly decided he didn’t need the shoes anymore.
He also told his son, “You don’t need thousand-dollar shoes.”
Affleck began acting in 1981 with The Dark End of the Street. He gained fame through blockbusters like Armageddon (1998), Shakespeare in Love (1999), and Pearl Harbor (2001).
In a recent talk show appearance, Affleck reflected on his early career struggles, revealing that he and longtime friend Matt Damon once shared a bank account to cover audition expenses. The duo’s collaboration on Good Will Hunting (1997) earned them an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Affleck later won Best Picture for Argo (2012), which he directed and starred in.
Reports estimate Affleck’s current net worth at approximately $150 million.
