The premiere of the Hulu reality series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has sparked curiosity regarding the familial ties between the Utah Affleck family and Hollywood actors Ben and Casey Affleck. In the wake of the show’s debut, viewers sought clarification on whether there is indeed a connection between these families, but genealogical investigations suggest otherwise.
On the reality series, Jennifer Affleck, wife of Zac Affleck, claims that her father-in-law, David Affleck, is a cousin of the famous brothers. This assertion first came to light in a TikTok video posted by Jen in September 2022, shortly after Ben Affleck married Jennifer Lopez in Las Vegas. In that video, Jen humorously reflected on her new surname, contrasting her experience with that of the high-profile couple.
Jennifer Affleck’s social media presence has drawn attention, especially as she recently shared an emotional message about her marriage to Zac amidst criticism from viewers of “Mormon Wives.” “When you thought you were going to be the next JLO. But instead … she stole your name & you’re busting it down to Ms. Rachel,” she wrote, accompanied by a video of her dancing to “Wheels on the Bus.”
However, a source familiar with the Utah Affleck family has disputed Jen’s claims about a familial connection to the Boston Afflecks. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, the source stated, “The relationship between the Utah Afflecks and the Boston Afflecks is absolutely not true.” They further explained that the Mormon community places significant emphasis on genealogy, making it unlikely that such a connection would go unnoticed if it existed.
The source elaborated on the family trees of both branches. “Zac Affleck is her husband. His father is David Affleck. Zac’s grandfather is Gordon Affleck. His great-grandparents include Alan Burt Affleck. On the other hand, Ben’s father is Tim Affleck, and his grandfather is Myron Junior, with his great-grandparent being Myron Senior. No, Alan Burt and Myron Senior aren’t brothers or anything,” the source clarified.
Further scrutiny of both family histories reveals distinct ancestral origins. Zac Affleck’s lineage traces back to England, while Ben and Casey Affleck’s roots are tied to Scotland. This difference further emphasizes the absence of a direct connection between the two families.
Representatives for both Jennifer and Zac Affleck, as well as Hulu, have declined to comment on the matter. PEOPLE has also reached out to representatives for Ben and Casey Affleck but has not received a response.
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As for why more details about their alleged family ties have not surfaced earlier, the source speculated that Zac and Jen might be feeling overwhelmed by their newfound fame. “This isn’t their cup of tea,” they noted. “I would imagine, knowing them, they’re just hoping this will all die down and not be anything.”
In a conversation with PEOPLE in September 2024, Jennifer Affleck revealed that she and Zac have “never met” Ben Affleck. “Zac’s dad has met them, when [Ben] was very little,” she added. “I’m hoping to meet him one day, too!”
The interest in the Affleck family connections highlights a broader cultural fascination with celebrity family trees. Fans often delve into the histories of public figures, seeking links that may not exist. In this case, the Utah Affleck family’s claims appear to be unfounded, despite the excitement generated by their reality series.
As the reality show continues to air, the Affleck family may find themselves navigating the complexities of public perception and familial narratives. Whether or not their stories will intersect with those of Hollywood’s Affleck brothers remains to be seen, but for now, it appears that any connection is purely speculative.
