Is ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Zac Affleck Related to Ben Affleck?

Zac Affleck is best known for his role in the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, but that may not be his only claim to fame.

Following rumors that Zac is actor Ben Affleck’s first cousin once removed, many have questioned how valid their family ties might be — a subject that his wife, influencer Jennifer Affleck, addressed while talking to PEOPLE in May 2025.

“I brought it up once and press ran with it, and I feel like that’s all I’ve ever talked about since then,” she said. “But at this point, I’m like, ‘Hey, if I meet Ben Affleck and J.Lo on the way, then great.’ ”

Zac, a medical student, married Jen in 2019, and the couple share two children with one on the way. Now, their family life is on full display in the Hulu reality show, which follows eight Mormon moms who found fame on TikTok amid a sex scandal. (Zac and Jennifer have denied participating in the infamous “soft swinging” lifestyle with their fellow castmates.)

The second season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives started streaming on Hulu on May 15, and the couple addressed the rumors of their relationship to Ben in the first few episodes.

From his childhood in Utah to his rumored connection to Ben Affleck, here is everything to know about Zac Affleck.

Is Zac Affleck related to Ben Affleck?

The familial connection between Zac and Ben came under scrutiny in September 2024 when online genealogy sleuths claimed that the Utah Afflecks and the Boston Afflecks have “no relationship.”

“So Zac Affleck is her husband. [His father] is David Affleck. Zac’s grandfather is Gordon Affleck. Zac’s great-grandparents — which would [establish] second cousins — his name is Alan Burt Affleck,” a source explained to PEOPLE. “Then Ben’s dad is Tim Affleck. His grandfather is Myron Junior. His great-grandparent is Myron Senior. No, Alan Burt and Myron Senior aren’t brothers or anything.”

Reps for Jennifer and Zac and Hulu declined to comment on the matter.

When The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives returned for a second season in May 2025, Zac admitted in a confessional that he has “no idea” if he’s actually related to Ben and that it all began as “a running joke” in his family.

“It’s never been something serious,” he said. “And so, when Jen started telling people that, I did tell her, ‘I don’t think you should say that anymore. I think that’s probably gonna backfire.’ ”

Jennifer first mentioned Zac’s familial ties to the Gone Girl star on TikTok in September 2022 — shortly after Ben and Jennifer Lopez got married in Vegas and she took the actor’s last name.

“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,” the TikToker wrote alongside a video of her dancing to “Wheels on the Bus.”

Jennifer and Ben came face to face for the first time when they both starred in a Dunkin’ commercial that premiered in September 2025. During an appearance on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, she said that she learned that one of the actor’s daughters is a fan of The Secret Life of Mormon Wives while filming the ad.

“I met his daughter. His daughter came with her best friend and [she’s a] huge fan,” she said. “She’s like, ‘I don’t care if we’re not related. We are related.’ I was like, ‘Great!’ ”

Where did Zac Affleck grow up?

Zac was born in Utah, and his parents, Dave and Kristel Leishman Affleck, raised him in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). After graduating from Olympus High School in May 2015, he participated in the church’s missionary program in the Dominican Republic.

Zac eventually graduated from Brigham Young University in July 2024 and was accepted into medical school.

Who is Zac Affleck’s wife?

The Utah-born reality star married Jennifer, who calls the Bay Area home, on June 28, 2019, in Newport Beach, Calif. The ceremony was held at the local LDS temple, while the reception took place on a large yacht.

“I knew Zac was the one when I realized I couldn’t imagine life without him & his amazing qualities,” Jennifer wrote on Instagram ahead of their wedding. “I’m grateful to have someone who loves me unconditionally, puts me first, & makes me want to be a better fiancé, friend, daughter and person. Can’t forget he makes me the happiest girl alive.”

The couple began dating in 2018 after meeting on a Mormon dating app called Mutual. Zac later proposed at Top of the Rock in New York City in January 2019.

How many kids do Zac Affleck and Jennifer Affleck have?

Zac and Jennifer share three children: daughter Nora, who was born in November 2021, son Lucas Lowell, who arrived in July 2023, and baby Penelop, who was born in the summer of 2025.

“We were so young when we first became parents, with lots to learn, but Zac has always been there every step of the way. He’s never wavered in giving Nora and Luca everything they need,” the mom of three wrote on Instagram in honor of Father’s Day 2024.

What is The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives about?

Hulu’s reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives follows a group of Mormon mom influencers who “get caught in the middle of a swinging sex scandal.”

Jennifer stars in the show alongside seven other women, including Taylor Frankie Paul, who made headlines in 2022 when she announced her divorce and opened up about her and her husband’s “soft swinging” lifestyle.

Zac, along with several other husbands, participated in filming the show — and fans often see drama between the partners.

“It feels like we got 10 years of marriage counseling in this one season of filming,” Jennifer told PEOPLE.