Ben Affleck commends Jennifer Lopez's work ethic, calls her 'the hardest-working person' he's met in the industry

By George Costantino

Video by Brittany Berkowitz

Almost two decades after their highly publicized relationship came to an end, Ben Affleck still has nothing but respect for Jennifer Lopez.

Affleck was one of several celebrities to heap praise on Lopez in an InStyle cover story dedicated to the multi-talented performer.

He called out his "Gigli" co-star's commitment to her craft, noting, "The seriousness in which she took her work, the quiet and dedicated way she went about accomplishing her goals, and then how she would go back and redouble her efforts. She remains, to this day, the hardest-working person I've come across in this business."

"She has great talent, but she has also worked very hard for her success, and I'm so happy for her that she seems, at long last, to be getting the credit she deserves," Affleck added.

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In this Feb. 9, 2003, file photo, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez attend a movie premiere in Westwood, Calif.

The 48-year-old actor also jokingly asked where J-Lo, 51, keeps her "fountain of youth."

"Why do you look the same as you did in 2003 and it kind of looks like I'm in my 40s...at best?" he quipped.

Affleck and Lopez began dating in July 2002 and got engaged later that year. They broke up in 2004. Lopez is currently engaged to former Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez.

Leah Remini, Michelle Obama and Lopez' ex-husband Marc Anthony were among the other celebrities paying tribute to Lopez in the profile.

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Anthony, who Lopez was married to from 2004-2014 and shares two children with, also commended the singer's drive.

"She's the first one in the room and the last to leave," he said about Lopez. "The hardest worker I've ever met. When we were together, it was quite the opposite for me. That has changed since. I learned so much from her."