Affleck, Lopez Break Up

ByABC News
January 22, 2004, 4:57 PM

Jan. 22 -- The age of Bennifer has ended. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are history.

A representative for Lopez confirmed the breakup to ABCNEWS.

"I am confirming the report that Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck," she said. "At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy."

The 18-month relationship ended Tuesday, three days after Affleck returned to Los Angeles from the Sundance Film Festival, and the decision was mutual, sources told Us magazine.

Lopez, 34, is said to have grown weary of Affleck's behavior, which included frequent visits to casinos, sources told Us

Affleck, 31, was not ready to commit to the relationship, and Lopez was angry after he was photographed in a German nightclub partying with friend Matt Damon.

"She was tired of waiting for him to come around," Us quoted a source as saying. The actress-singer was said to be wanting to start a family.

Ken Sunshine, a representative for Affleck, declined to comment.

Lopez spent her first night as a single woman at Morton's, a restaurant in West Hollywood, where she was spotted without the Harry Winston engagement ring that Affleck had given her on her finger.

Affleck was said to be at a Los Angeles casino with friends and declined to speak with an Us reporter. The actor, currently starring in Paycheck, was seen gambling at 5 a.m.

Affleck and Lopez called off wedding plans last September, just four days before they were supposedly set to exchange vows at a seaside hotel in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The two will star in Jersey Girl, their second film together, next month.