Los Angeles – Oscar‑winning actor Ben Affleck used a recent appearance on Kerry Washington’s “Street You Grew Up On” podcast to discuss a lesson he’s giving his teenage son, Samuel. The 54‑year‑old father said he has firmly rejected Samuel’s request for a Lamborghini, reminding listeners that luxury items must be earned, not handed over as handouts.
From a childhood fender‑bender to a parenting moment
Samuel, now 14, first made headlines in June 2022 when he accidentally backed a bright yellow Lamborghini Urus into a white BMW while the family was at 777 Exotics, a luxury‑car rental shop in the Los Angeles area. Affleck, who was then dating Jennifer Lopez, allowed the ten‑year‑old to sit in the driver’s seat, and the boy unintentionally put the vehicle in reverse. Both the dealership and Affleck’s representatives later confirmed that no damage was done.
Four years later, the memory resurfaced as Samuel asked his dad for a Lamborghini of his own. Affleck laughed, recalling the request, “What? A Lambo? Are you crazy?” He added that he sees a lot of his own traits in Samuel and wants to steer his son away from entitlement.
Teaching work ethic over handouts
Affleck explained that his older children, Violet (20) and Fin (17), have already shown a willingness to “say no” to excessive wants, a habit he hopes Samuel will adopt. “You have to work for what you want,” he said, echoing a broader parenting philosophy that stresses responsibility and gratitude.
He also referenced a 2025 incident in which Samuel admired a pair of $6,000 Dior × Nike Air Jordan 1 sneakers. Affleck responded, “That’s a lot of lawns you gotta mow there,” before reminding his son that money doesn’t grow on trees and that hard work is the only path to such luxuries.
Family values in the public eye
Affleck co‑parents his three children with ex‑wife Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares a commitment to raising kids who understand the value of effort. In a 2025 interview on “Today with Jenna & Friends,” he said, “You love your kids and want to give them everything, but you do them a disservice by not connecting that they have to work for what they want.”
Later, on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” Affleck noted that his children are indifferent to his Hollywood fame, adding that the most impressive thing he’s done in their eyes is becoming a meme. He used the moment to reinforce that personal character, not celebrity status, matters most.
Local perspective
While the story centers on a Hollywood family, it also reflects a broader conversation among Los Angeles parents about raising children in a culture saturated with high‑priced consumer goods. Affleck’s straightforward stance—rejecting a teenage request for a $250,000 sports car—offers a concrete example of setting boundaries and teaching fiscal responsibility.
For local families navigating similar pressures, the actor’s message underscores a timeless principle: true success comes from effort, not entitlement.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
