Ben Affleck was grilled by chat show host Stephen Colbert on Thursday about the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the actor’s own allegations of sexual misconduct.
The 45-year-old Oscar winner made an appearance on this show to promote his new movie Justice League on The Late Show and was ribbed by Colbert, 53, for President Donald Trump’s past Twitter endorsement of his portrayal of Batman.
However, when Colbert waded into dark waters by stating that the ‘person who started your career was [disgraced film producer] Harvey Weinstein’, a seemingly blindsided Affleck responded: ‘This is a comedy show, correct?’
Hot seat: Ben Affleck while promoting Justice League on The Late Late Show on Thursday was grilled about his association with disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein
Colbert said the show also covers ‘subjects of the moment’ and asked Affleck about his association with Weinstein.
The actor let out a long sigh before noting he understood the reasoning, as he said: ‘It was awful to see the extent of these terrible crimes. I haven’t worked with Harvey for more than 20 or 15 years.’
Screen star Affleck said the Weinstein scandal has ‘tainted’ his affinity for movies such as Shakespeare In Love, Chasing Amy and other Weinstein films that he starred in, knowing now that women had been allegedly assaulted and traumatized.
The host: Stephen Colbert also questioned Affleck about sexual abuse allegations levied against the actor
Affleck said he was going to donate his residuals from Miramax movies to charities that benefit women.
‘I don’t want to cash a check from the guy,’ Affleck said to applause from the audience.
Colbert then brought up that Affleck himself had been ‘accused of a few things’ and noted that he apologized for his behavior before asking if the awareness would be a ‘passing thing’ in Hollywood.
‘What I was accused of by a woman [Hilarie Burton] was of touching her breast while giving her a hug. I don’t remember it, but I absolutely apologized for it. I certainly don’t think she’s lying or making it up,’ Affleck said.
Lighter topics: Affleck during the first part of the interview talked about playing Batman and how his children respond to him portraying a superhero
Comedy show: Affleck asked if he was on a comedy show as the topic turned to Weinstein
‘It’s just the kind of thing we have to as men, as we become more aware of this, be more mindful of our behavior and hold ourselves accountable and say, ”If I was ever part of the problem, I want to change. I want to be part of the solution.’’ And to not shy away from these awkward or strange encounters we might have have had,’ he added.
Affleck acknowledged being uncomfortable during a recent interview when the subject arose and lauging awkwardly.
‘I think the most important thing to do is to support the voices coming forward, believe them, and create a business where more women are empowered and in place so less of this happens. And so that there is a way of reporting this stuff so that people can feel safe doing it,’ he said.
Tainted love: The actor said his experience with Miramax Films was ‘tainted’ by Weinstein and he was going to donate his residuals from them to charities that benefit women
Own allegations: Colbert also asked Affleck about allegations brought against him
Affleck also addressed male privilege as he said: ‘I thought I had a sense of the scope of the problem and I thought I understood it and the truth is I really didn’t.’
‘I didn’t understand what it’s like to be groped, to be harassed, to be interrupted, talked over, paid less, you know, pushed around, belittled: all the things that women deal with, for me as a man, I have the privilege of not having to deal with.
‘Part of this for me has been listening to people I really care about and love as they tell me stories of stuff that has happened to them, this is men and women, and recognizing it’s a real thing.
‘I’m not spokesman, I’m not a superhero, I can’t change it by myself. I can just be accountable for myself and my actions,’ Affleck said.
Candid conversation: The Oscar winner said that he wanted to be part of the solution
Colbert initially kept it light during the first half of the interview and asked Affleck what his children thought about him playing a superhero.
Affleck said his five-year-old son Sam with ex-wife Jennifer Garner loves it, but his ‘daughters [Violet and Seraphina] are over me and don’t think I could possibly be any less cool.’
The chat show host also reminded Affleck that his ex Garner used to babysit for him back when she was on Spin City.
Affleck then shared a cute story about how he expected Sam to be Batman for Halloween, but the boy actually wanted to be superhero The Flash.
Team up: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Affleck as Batman and Ezra Miller as The Flash are shown in a still from Justice League
Colbert after a commercial break brought up Affleck’s 1997 movie Good Will Hunting that he co-wrote and starred in with Matt Damon.
The critically acclaimed drama also starring the late Robin Williams was produced by Miramax Films and its co-founder disgraced Hollywood producer Weinstein.
Affleck recalled how he and Damon – who were both relatively unknown back then – imitated famous actors they envisioned for the movie, including Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman.
‘I did a terrible De Niro, just the face,’ Affleck said while impersonating the famed actor’s facial expression.
Justice League opens wide on Friday in the US.
Father and children: Colbert, shown with his children Madeline, Peter and John in May 2008, reminded Affleck that his ex-wife Jennifer Garner used to babysit his children