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Ben Affleck Looks Glum and Gets a Hug at Pre-Oscars 2016 Party After Jennifer Garner's Bombshell Interview

She had talked about their breakup with Vanity Fair

By Corinne Heller Feb 27, 2016 8:33 PMTags
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Ben Affleck did not appear to be in the mood to party Friday night, following the publication of a bombshell interview by Jennifer Garner, although an old friend seemed to cheer him up.

The 43-year-old Oscar winner attended talent agency William Morris Endeavor's pre-2016 Oscars bash at a  Paul McCartney's former residence in Beverly Hills and was photographed looking rather glum. Affleck, sporting a dark suit, with a vest and no tie, was later spotted having a "bro moment" with longtime friend, co-star and fellow Academy Award recipient Matt Damon, 45, a source told E! News exclusively.

"They were very engaged with each other and looked very happy to be hanging out like old friends that didn't skip a beat," the source said. "Ben did not seem like he was in the party mode but Matt was smiling a lot. Ben was more into just seeing Matt and catching up. When they first saw each other, they gave a man hug filled with love."

"Ben Affleck was definitely in a mood," another source told E! News. "He was seen walking around alone not engaging with many people."

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The party featured a surprise performance from DJ Kaskade and guests were served Kettle One cocktails. The bash also featured a big tent, as well as a playroom with a two-lane bowling alley, a pool table and a bar.

Damon attended the bash with wife Luciana Barroso and the two were spotted holding hands, smiling and dancing throughout the night.

Other celebrity guests included Kourtney KardashianCharlize TheronJessica Biel, husband Justin TimberlakeRachel McAdams, Jack Black, Amy Adams, Vince Vaughn and Denzel Washington, who was seen talking to and snapping pics with model Jourdan Dunn and also chatting with Lenny Kravitz. Fellow models Martha Hunt and Jasmine Tookes also attended and "had a great time in the photo booth."

Jake Gyllenhaal was also seen chatting with Malin Ackerman and LL Cool J. The actress and Theron were also seen dancing, as was Serena Williams, who danced to Silentó's "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)."

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The party was held just after the publication of a candid interview Garner, who will be a presenter at the 2016 Oscars, gave to Vanity Fair for its March 2016 issue about her and Affleck's separation, marking her first public comments about it.

The 43-year-old actress, who shares three children with the actor, announced last June, a day after the couple's 10-year wedding anniversary, plans to divorce. A month later, Affleck was linked to his children's 28-year-old nanny. He has denied anything romantic went on between him and the couple's now-former nanny

"We had been separated for months before I ever heard about the nanny," Garner told Vanity Fair. "She had nothing to do with our decision to divorce."

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The actress called Affleck the love of her life. The two have been spotted together several times since their breakup.

"We still have to help each other get through this," Garner told Vanity Fair. "He's still the only person who really knows the truth about things. And I'm still the only person that knows some of his truths."

Check out all of our Oscars 2016 coverage.

Watch E!'s live 2016 Oscars red carpet coverage starting at 1:30p.m. ET/10:30a.m. PT on Sunday, February 28th