Ben Affleck & Sacha Baron Cohen | Actors on Actors - Full Conversation

Ben Affleck and Sacha Baron Cohen join Variety's "Actors on Actors," presented by Amazon Studios to talk Trump, the terrifying Rudy Giuliani scene in "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" and playing an alcoholic on "The Way Back."
Affleck opened up about his own struggle with alcoholism and how he used that for his work on "The Way Back."
"This guy’s had a very different life from mine," Affleck said. "But what was interesting about the story was I hoped people would find some catharsis in watching him go through something very difficult."
Meanwhile the actor mused that Cohen must be "sued relentlessly and constantly."
"Oh, all the time," Cohen said.
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[@jchabo82]

Affleck said he wasn't a good interviewer but....he's killing it. Lol!

[@greengoblin4life]

Actors always say they aren’t good at something and then end up being good at it lol

[@ashish_sunny]

He murdered that shit.

[@hoggy3384]

He should do a podcast where he interviews people!

[@allforpeace9908]

This looked like the start of a friendship

[@SeifersLilSisL8]

I feel like I am seeing Ben affleck for the first time. I never knew he could be this passionate. . . . More respect for sure.

[@armchairguru1921]

Look at his work, for example, Argo and The Town. Without passion you can't create that.

[@jthomas420]

Yeah he definitely has made some great films so far. He is really inspiring me to get sober too cause I have an issue with over drinking on weekends and quite frankly seeing how happy and healthy he is... I am going to pursue sobriety!

[@roblovingfoss]

EXACTLY

[@louisebrahiti8409]

Affleck looks so healthy, i'm so happy for him. he's a good actor and moviemaker, i hope he'll bring us more project

[@erickesteban8700]

That is because ana de armas

[@louisebrahiti8409]

​@@erickesteban8700 i think she's one of the reason but addiction is more of a fight for yourself and he really did the work :)

[@mixedlove1234]

Because he's single

[@livingashtree1942]

Man looks 10-15 years younger

[@quanticprophecy]

My man is getting it with Ana De Armas on the regular... he better look healthy

[@aaronhall5715]

Maybe it was all the "Sad Affleck" stuff but it's feels really great to see Ben smiling and laughing. he seemed to be totally enthralled with Sasha.

[@aisha02a]

idk why his energy here kinda reminds me of his younger brother

[@bev9708]

AND looking sooo good too... looking younger and slimmer and fitter!!! Really great to see!

[@allforpeace9908]

One would have to be dead to not be enthralled by SBC. Ben Affleck has seemed not in his element since he did press for JL

[@K0m30ng]

He's sober from alcohol, he's fully healthy that's why he seems to be smiling and laughing a lot.

[@baldwinivofjerusalem47]

Who is here from Ben reacting to ZSJL trailer edit?

[@isaiahskates6587]

Me

[@Juandemarkho174]

ME!!!!

[@liammatthews1701]

Me😁

[@kapalshiuu]

"Welcome to Brazil." *Inaudible laughter*

[@rogermoore00]

I guess majority

[@MrJoker3571]

That look Ben gave when Sasha said the security weren’t offended by him dressing up as a KKK member was hilarious.

[@gaila.9852]

Timestamp?

[@MrJoker3571]

@@gaila.9852 9:15-9:50 is when the story pops up and Ben's reaction.

[@gaila.9852]

@@MrJoker3571 Thank you!

[@brenobacci]

​@@MrJoker3571 Thanks indeed. I think most normal people had the same reaction. It's the gesture that says: "oh fuck, we should have a whole 5-hour episode only discussing why this is absolutely fucked-up and unacceptable, but we can't just fix this shit overnight". It's despair, really. This year, they had a Nazi stage, FFS! How do we fix a shit this big?

[@jameshutton1094]

Ben is actually a good interviewer to be honest. He asks things and talks to him like a fan would.

[@simonhanson795]

I would listen to a Ben Affleck podcast the guy is killing it in hosting this.

[@stefaniekarg-theartof]

I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack every time I see Sacha perform. It's either extremely brave what he's doing or it's totally insane.

[@yasirrehman5126]

Ben is so friendly don’t know why media is always after him.....

[@Boygonebad]

Jealous

[@beatrizmasacayan1575]

Celebrities Media are jealous, and they have nothing to do except to give negative comments about Ben Affleck and JLO love life.

[@notforone]

Easy target. A few years ago, tabloids media was vicious, more so thn today. Many big celebrities suffered - Britney, Lindsay Lohan, Michael Jackson, and so on. They picked popular targets, and threw all their strength to pick them apart and tear them down. The flavour those early tabloids set is still followed by quite a few media outlets today.

[@Nazaba09]

Because he hates the media.

[@KristasaurusRex]

It took me embarrassingly long to realize that's a mirror and not another person in the background of SBC 😂

[@vanzekin961]

I thought it was Isla 😂

[@Snoochka]

If that helps, I didn't manage to realize this at all before having read your comment 😂

[@wildman3j]

Oh my god

[@kdog4587]

It took me until reading this..

[@adreesuddin84]

Our Batman 🦇

[@suzannelemay3405]

It's always nice to see actors and comedians understand and validate each other's work!! Applause for both!!

[@EllaxSullivan]

I love how they're like "we'll zoom tomorrow" and "we'll do this everyday." I wonder if they have?

[@sarashams743]

One of the best actors on actors episodes.

[@SaintDre7]

please have affleck do more of these. hes so good at it.

[@kusuma.kusuma]

0:32 He says “ way back” and the graphic says “The Way Back”.... great timing Ben 😁

[@sayedelsherif6354]

Ben Affleck. Our Batfleck

[@_PeterGabriel1216]

My Batman. Not yours get lost.

[@sayedelsherif6354]

@@_PeterGabriel1216 no, u.

[@lulugoulart5014]

Happy to see Ben doing so well! It's not easy face your addiction and keep it under control for the rest of your life. He is a brilliant actor, director, writer and producer! Sasha is also brilliant, I love him since Ali G.

[@uncleiroh5061]

Rudy Giuliani is a lock for worst supporting actor at the Razzies.

[@filmtoppings]

Ben had a lot of great insights to add about Sacha's work, felt like he was moderating for a lot of it. That's more fun than just having an interviewer asking them each questions

[@livingashtree1942]

That probably the director inside him

[@allforpeace9908]

He was fired up Him having experience directing, acting and producing certainly helps

[@alexisrestum11]

I love when you can tell they're actually fans of each other's work! & when actors take the technique & work behind comedy as seriously as with drama

[@ipwnyoudiehaha]

* Josstice league releases * Fans: Ready the armada, we will use the old ways... "#ReleaseTheSnyderCut" *VICTORY IS OURS!!!!*

[@dimbulb2959]

Lets move on to the next one. #RestoreTheSnyderverse

[@palcada]

they both have the best internet connections i've seen some celebrities have 😂

[@Ray81589]

Ben: I'm not a good interviewer . . . . Also Ben: 🗣 "Wasn't that just the ultimate test in acting... Maintaining your character under the intense scrutiny of people who were immensely suspicious of you FOR FIVE DAYS?!!!" Fantastic back and forth!! Loved this one!

[@joyabrahm1]

who remembers "Ukrainian Ben Affleck" joke from Brothers Grimsby

[@ashish_sunny]

This episode was "Ben on Actors". Although it was interesting listening to the making of 'Borat 2'.

[@KyCandicee]

I could listen to Sacha's stories all day

[@arjunaloshious3423]

Ben Affleck ♥️🤗🦇

[@djr_drums]

I like Ben Affleck more and more each time I see him. Which is something I NEVER thought I'd say. Sacha is a genius. Which is something I've ALWAYS said.

[@checkyourhead9]

I have loved ben for years, same with Sascha Proud of ben for enduring thru the shit. I try not to read or believe the trash mags but I know he went thru some stuff. Sascha is so adorable and talented and I would love to see him get back with Andy serkis and milo twomy for a revisiting of the jolly boys ❤️🔥

[@TraceyOfficial]

This was an exquisite interview with some of the best questions asked by a man who doesn't consider himself an interviewer! Well done and Sasha Oh my word! I learnt so much about him!

[@filmtoppings]

I love Sacha's disguise shenanigans but I also love seeing him in serious stuff like Hugo or this year's The Trial of the Chicago 7, which he was great in

[@debolinabhattacharyya5179]

And in The Spy

[@ragnogaming796]

Ben is looking aladeen..

[@hiphopballet25]

If Sasha Baron Cohen can get in anywhere in the world as anyone and talk to anyone, especially powerfull people...Well... Edit note: Ben Affleck is stil a awesome dude. Always loved his acting and movies also the ones he made.

[@ChelseaMan31]

Abbie Hoffman's portrayal should win him an Oscar

[@rigsby1454]

Ben Affleck has been popping up on my youtube the last few weeks doing these type of interviews and he's brilliant at it. Looks quality as well

[@suvigyabasnotra7378]

From one 6'3" to another.

[@KJ_1810]

Isnt Affleck like 6’4? Or something.

[@benjaminfritz1071]

@@KJ_1810 he’s about 6’2”, not 6’3” or 6’4”.

[@Tonkybro3]

@@benjaminfritz1071 6'5"

[@benjaminfritz1071]

@@Tonkybro3 no. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haa1p59_oL-dqq8

[@allforpeace9908]

Just ask them😒

[@lindseycarribean5113]

He lost weight.

[@AbbeysNotHere]

this is an interesting pair

[@josephadiaz8343]

Ben, is an awesome actor and an awesome person.

[@endianAphones]

I hope Rudy gets nominated for best supporting actor!

[@rsfilmdiscussionchannel4168]

Yeah his method acting was brilliant.

[@rsfilmdiscussionchannel4168]

@Joshua Hammond Rudy Giuliani.

[@rsfilmdiscussionchannel4168]

@Joshua Hammond I and Tiago know, we were being sarcastic. He more so than I.

[@uncleiroh5061]

A lock for worst supporting actor at the Razzies.

[@rsfilmdiscussionchannel4168]

@Joshua Hammond Yes I do.

[@TiMonsor]

Sasha says «Sorkin is the greatest screenplay writer of our time»... to the man with an oscar for a screenplay. Poor Ben. i dont think that Ben fancies himself on Sorkins level, but still, it gotta sting edit: ahaha, as soon as i write this and unpause the video, Sasha remembers the same thing. lol

[@nehaiyer8609]

I’m sorry but Ben.. is sooo handsome! Good for jlo

[@suzannelemay3405]

Loved Borat from the beginning, it was as if Charlie Chaplin had begun to speak today!!

[@shaiksfq6691]

Sacha would be an Epic Two Face ( Harvey Dent ).

[@nicholeleekolovanigruber2678]

Let's just sure all the men are ok and make sure they have enough yarn to knit.......I can't believe USA ........ KOLOVANI

[@nicholeleekolovanigruber2678]

I shouldn't of been an actresses.... Maybe but I REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLy invested into all my WORK ... .... I did too much work and gathered so much information to know what will sell .... Kolovani

[@nicholeleekolovanigruber2678]

Plus I had to take drugs to clean for people and clean shit ..... Family said stay on drugs that's something sweet xoxo 💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋 KOLOVANI

[@mattiasjansson733]

Kinda sad to hear that his funny lines are rehearsed, even tho understandable. l like to think he’s just an incredibly funny comedian, not an actor.

[@silentreactor97]

I really hope Ben Affleck recieves his first Oscar Nomination in the Acting Category for this, this is easily his best performance and definitely his most Intimate and personal one. He absolutely nailed this role, loved him in The Way Back.

[@nicholeleekolovanigruber2678]

Yeah you are both great ACTORS...... Yeah ...... totally xoxo 💋💋💋💋💋 KOLOVANI

[@jsheekey1]

Sacha is so Handsome ❤️

[@monicalinville9579]

The only decent human being in the "Borat, subsequent movie" was Tutah's babysitter.

[@chrisstanley2538]

I pulled a spoof on Reagan in 84' and thanks so much Sacha, humorous acts work to expos e, we voted Trump out, take a bow Brother, and today Rudy faces a 1.3 billion $ law suit, for sure thankyou and take another bow. My gosh it takes guts and vision to perform the world change work. Comedy saves the actor again 😇 Ben can do something Sasha. You got him thinkin' ( Craft ) word...one more thing🍑🍑 just a thought, peachy king, thanks again Brothers

[@eloisedelaney5582]

Ben had to just randomly start talking about his own film as Sasha wasn’t asking him any questions and just talking about himself 😂

[@channenh4657]

Ben affleck still way more successful than you will ever be and better than you at life.

[@Evasford]

Actually Sasha asked him about his film but they cut parts of the interviews to make It shorter. You can see on the written version of the interview.

[@MultiKarola]

@@channenh4657 wow. what a fan

[@channenh4657]

@@MultiKarola Nah it’s just the truth.

[@MultiKarola]

it is calles naturally flowing conversation

[@vapalaca]

Everyone on here is commenting about Ben and not Sascha lol Ben gets all the attention. Happy to see him looking good.

[@TheMelMan]

Everyone loves a redemption story.

[@AntonQvarfordt]

There should be like a heist movie based on Sasha making his movies.

[@eun-solkim7080]

I feel like whoever edited this cut out too much

[@Anonymous9572]

15 min in and it seems Sasha really did make it about himself lol

[@mixedlove1234]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sidron93]

Ben just won't stop asking him questions though 🙈🙈🤣🤣

[@atmat0101]

25 mins of Sacha and 10 mins of Ben 😂

[@thisisit333]

We all knew Rudy was a perv, and now finally he’s about to face accountability! Thank you, Sasha, for shining a light on it back then!!! 19:08 You called it, Ben. #ISupportNoelleDunphy

[@LILGHETTI]

Sacha and ben are good at this actor on actor. Sacha is like the master of improvise, living with people as borat! Wow!

[@megzeppelinn]

Love him so much and hearing his amazing experiences but omg LOL kudos to the editor trying to organize Sacha’s rambling storytelling 😂 ❤️

[@jamesokeeffe1346]

One of the best episodes! Great to see them both gush about how much they appreciate a other work

[@bigjo2163]

Sasha is an actors actor and he doesn’t even know it. Definitely one of the best actors just for dedication in itself

[@IggyZardable]

Ben looks really healthy! Love it!

[@bigjo2163]

Sasha giving props to Ben for pulling of a drunk scene while being sober Then I think to the Borat winery skit and how he managed to down 28 legit glasses of wine and still pull off a great scene as borat while clearly wasted 😂 A whole different ball game

[@HawaiianCrow]

Imagine bringing James McAvoy and Andrew Garfield on the show. Wow 🤯

[@angelocomic77]

This was VERY educational and fascinating.

[@therealsamho]

Ben is looking alert and healthy. It looks like he's keeping off the sauce. Happy for him.

[@linkin0983]

12:03 My God, the stories of Sacha in the making of Borat, and stuff...wow. This was a great interview, and so happy to see Ben like this ❤

[@davidmckesey7119]

I am guessing Isla is in the background of the hotel lol

[@Tkdlolboy91]

I think that's a mirror

[@slyjokerg]

I like a lot of Affleck's work... Argo, Chasing Amy, Good Will Hunting... but it is always hard for me to to get past his ridiculous, ignorant, dishonest attack on Sam Harris.

[@dallasdandigitalproduction393]

Not enough commercials Variety. Pls pack em higher and tighter next time. Smh.

[@eagle4560]

i love them so much

[@scout4cool]

Brilliant! So fascinating and inspiring to hear 2 world class innovators speak earnestly with each other while enjoying the good humor of artist comrades. Thank You, Variety!

[@robinpaul7268]

I couldn't imagine running into Brat or watching someone else talking to Borat . On acid.no buddy would believe me. cool beans

[@amberien611]

literally never watched borat bc i couldn't imagine it being funny. but i'll watch it now.

[@allforpeace9908]

I'm surprised Sacha didn't hit Ben about his friendship with Weinstein

[@user-op4ue9cc5v]

i clicked for Sacha. i never get tired of hearing what he goes through for these roles and there's always something new from each interview.

[@gaztintin3537]

Just needs these two in a Kevin Smith movie.......HEAVEN 😂😂🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@barbg8530]

Good job, like you, are in a better place. You are a good actor, would like to see you in the movie 🎬.

[@franchisemiami]

I wonder what kind of movie they could work on together...

[@CoryYaboi]

Lol Ben has that Bruce Wayne WiFi

[@yvettetorres7829]

Trying to figure out what is behind that blanket on the table.

[@sherlockgonzales6608]

It's a pool table

[@TheMinoef1]

Ben is back 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@prathapkutty7407]

Man I wish Ben comes back to play Batman in an hbo max tv show. I really like his version of the character.

[@jeffbrown8117]

I think he will. I want more back story and stuff with the Robin and joker confrontation.

[@Boygonebad]

Two very creative minds in front and behind the camera

[@rachit1042]

need more and better batman movies with Affleck

[@Movies_with_Marco]

I’m proud of Ben for going frontal in gone girl

[@hollywont9447]

Me too.

[@da96103]

20:34 Ben: In the moment of climax. Ben making a pun?

[@wtfrocks8663]

21:43 - Is that a jab at Smith?

[@sushie9]

Who knew Ben could talk so much? 😄

[@amirali-ik8wv]

Did he say "lots of love lady"?😂😂😂😂

[@yannest1530]

Matey? 😂 I'm not sure.

[@WrinkleRelease]

Ok, I'm a Ben Affleck fan now.

[@clarkparker4860]

And they zoomed happily ever after.

[@__hsalman__]

Ukrainian Ben Affleck 😭

[@jacquesrivette2956]

Next Actors on Actors: Ben Affleck and Scott Adkins!!!

[@chrishansen9731]

Haha Ukrainian Ben Affleck

[@jacquesrivette2956]

@@chrishansen9731 exactly

[@cherishnash365]

The british steven seagal.....cant act but could beat the shit out of you so gets the job..

[@AlexandreSoma]

Sacha is amazing!

[@verigute6171]

Dude...Sorkin is not the greatest living screenwriter. He ripped off Dustin Lance Black's 'Milk" for this movie. It was a watered down, over the top version. I get that you have to promote him but dude, he's not that good. Compare him to Tom Stoppard or Neil Gaiman - Sorkin is a bland wash. He usually writes B+ or A- stuff. Because he writes for volume. And, his nature, is being over the top.

[@LocalTeen]

Why isn't the audio a podcast?