Thursday, November 29, 2012

Ben Affleck Named Entertainer of the Year by EW


Ben Affleck has been chosen by Entertainment Weekly to receive the title of 2012 Entertainer of the Year after the magazine considered his outstanding achievement as an actor and director of critically-acclaimed movie "Argo". The 40-year-old actor will also be the cover of the magazine's December issue. 

Jess Cagle, the magazine's editor, explained to "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, November 28 why Ben deserved the title, "He's directed a couple of movies before but he really reached the pinnacle of his career this year." The editor continued, "He's going to be right up there as best director with Steven Spielberg and lots of great directors."

The "Daredevil, The Movie" actor commented on being chosen to receive the honor, "Being at a place in my life and my career where I know what I'm trying to do, it's different than being 26. When you're younger and have the early success that I had... it sounds like the worst Hallmark cliche." He added, "But I didn't have anyone to share it with. I don't mean I wanted someone to sit by the fire with."

He then talked about how his family influenced him in directing movies, saying, "But when you have a family and children, you kind of see yourself reflected in them." He went on, "I want to make the kinds of movies that my kids are proud of. I have higher standards, in a way, for them." 

George Clooney, who produced "Argo", also praised Ben for his great achievement in movie industry after Ben experienced ups and downs in his acting career. "Hollywood loves a comeback, and he's an unbelievable comeback kid," the 51-year-old actor gushed.

According to Jess, the "Ocean's Thirteen" actor also talked about how Ben gained his fame, how he reached the level of world-class director, and how he got through his difficult time. George also said that the "Gone Baby Gone" director was "a great example of how to live and work." 

"Argo" was released in the U.S. on August 31. The movie was commercially and critically successful. The film is based on a true event of a mission to release six Americans, who were kept as hostages in 1980. "I had very low expectations for 'Argo' 's performance," Ben revealed his expectation of the film, "I just hoped that over time people would find the movie."