Ben Affleck's father, Timothy Affleck, has launched a scathing attack on 'disgusting' Hollywood, blaming the world's film capital for his son's battle with alcoholism.
In a new interview with Grazia magazine, the elder Affleck, 74, has claimed that his sons Ben, 45, and Casey, 42, have each seen and experienced the downside to their success, while he also weighed in on Ben's 2015 split from Jennifer Garner.
On the industry, he said: 'It has taken a toll on both my sons. Hollywood is a disgusting place. I think that's been a major factor in Ben's drinking. You're kind of forced to develop a persona that is hard to shed and go home to your family. It affects your whole life. I think that's one of the dangers of the film industry.'
Timothy, who himself has successfully overcome his own battles with drinking after several years as a 'chronic, severe alcoholic', said of his son: 'Ben has always been serious about getting sober. There is no question about that He wants a balanced life and he's working on it.'
As for Ben's split from Jennifer, amid reports of infidelity on his part, Timothy believes as that fame would also have played a great part in them going their separate ways - although he insists his son shouldn't dwell on his failed union.
'It's very difficult to balance family life in the midst of global stardom. It's a hard, taxing life,' he said, adding: 'In the world outside of the entertainment industry, marriages end all the time. It's as common as dishwater, it's nothing to dither about.'
Timothy, who appeared alongside Casey in the 2010 film I'm Still Here, also defended his sons against the sexual assault allegations levelled at them, asserting that they're 'both kind and good men', who 'treat women well'.
His interview comes after Ben's war of words with Rose McGowan, as he claims she never told him hat she was sexually assaulted at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.
The Oscar-winning actor and director revealed this in an email sent to Harvey Weinstein that has been seen by DailyMail.com.
'She never told me nor did I ever infer that she was attacked by anyone. Any accounts to the contrary are false,' wrote Affleck in the email.
'I have no knowledge about anything Rose did or claimed to have done. Accounts otherwise are lies.'
The subject line in the email was 'Roe McGowan.'
Rose has stated multiple times that she told Ben about her assault immediately after while the two were at a photo call for their film Phantoms, claiming that he responded to the news by stating: 'Goddammit, I told him to stop doing that.'
That email was also sent in July, almost three months before the release of The New York Times and New Yorker exposés of Weinstein.
A representative for Ben Affleck did not respond to a request for comment.
Daily Mail
