He found himself thrust into the center of the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal after One Tree Hill actress Hilarie Burton revealed he groped her breast during an appearance on Total Request Live in 2003.
And Ben Affleck hid behind dark sunglasses as he was pictured arriving at a rehabilitation recovery center for the second time in a week on Wednesday.
The actor, 45, stepped out as he issued a public apology to Burton, 35, for his behavior via his Twitter page.
Not staying quiet: Ben Affleck allegedly groped Hilarie Burton in 2003 during an appearance on Total Request Live; seen on Wednesday in LA
Real talk: The 45-year-old actor wrote on Wednesday: ‘I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize’
He wrote: ‘I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize.’
Before his tweet, Ben was seen heading inside a recovery center in Los Angeles; it is reportedly for ongoing treatment for alcohol addiction.
His apology comes just hours after Burton revealed he groped her when she was just 21.
Twitter user @ShaniceBrim then tweeted about Ben: ‘He also grabbed Hilarie Burton’s breasts on TRL once. Everyone forgot tho.’
Hilarie, 35, responded: ‘I didn’t forget.’
Brave: His apology comes just hours after actress and former TV personality Hilarie Burton claimed he groped her; Hilarie pictured in May at the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana
Speaking out: Before his tweet, Ben was seen heading inside a recovery center in Los Angeles
Stepping out: The revelation came after Ben spoke out condemning Harvey Weinstein following the sexual harassment claims
The star, who is currently expecting her second child with her partner Jeffrey Dean Morgan, was 21 at the time of the reported incident on TRL.
Shanice tweeted back: ‘I’m so sorry that happened to you. It’s infuriating that people never bring up all the gross, predatory things he’s done.’
Hilarie said on Twitter: ‘Seriously, thank you for that. I was a kid.’
The moment: His apology comes just hours after actress and former TV personality Hilarie Burton claimed he groped her; pictured during the alleged incident on a 2003 episode of TRL
Flashback: Soon after, a Twitter user @ShaniceBrim tweeted: ‘He also grabbed Hilarie Burton’s breasts on TRL once. Everyone forgot tho’
The Twitter user told the star: ‘I remember when that happened and never forgot about it. We see you,’ adding a heart emoji.’
Hilarie wrote: ‘Girls. I’m so impressed with you brave ones. I had to laugh back then so I wouldn’t cry. Sending love.’
She also shared link to a video from an interview she did about the incident.
The reveal: The groping incident came to light after a Twitter user spoke about it on Wednesday morning
Happier times: Hilarie is expecting baby number two with her longtime partner, Jeffrey Dean Morgan; seen together at the Primetime Emmy Awards on September 17 in LA
Hilarie is heard saying in the clip: ‘He wraps his arm around me and comes over and tweaks my left boob.’
Another bit of the footage has Ben, who was about 31 at the time, say to her: ‘how old are you – 19?’
The revelation came after Ben spoke out condemning Harvey Weinstein following the sexual harassment claims.
The actor, a protege of Weinstein, posted a message on his Facebook account on Tuesday, writing that he is ‘saddened and angry that a man who I worked with used his position of power to intimidate, sexually harass and manipulate many women over decades.’
What started it all: The revelation came after Ben spoke out condemning Harvey Weinstein following the sexual harassment claims
Meanwhile: His girlfriend Lindsay Shookus stepped out in New York City while heading to the gym; seen on Wednesday
Out and about: The 37-year-old Saturday Night Live producer kept it casual in leggings and a grey turtleneck top