In a surprising revelation about Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes challenges, Academy Award winner Ben Affleck has disclosed how a severe bout of food poisoning unexpectedly contributed to his performance in the 1998 sci-fi blockbuster ‘Armageddon.’ During a recent interview with Fox 32 Chicago, the actor recounted the physically demanding circumstances surrounding one of the film’s most emotionally charged scenes.
Affleck described being struck by food poisoning during the filming of his character’s heartfelt farewell to Bruce Willis’ character, Harry Stamper. Despite his debilitating condition, the then-less-experienced actor felt compelled to report to work rather than request a day off. ‘I wasn’t an experienced enough actor at that point to know that you can just pick up the phone and be like, ‘I’m too sick to work today,” Affleck explained. His commitment led to the extraordinary situation of vomiting between takes—an experience he noted was unique in his entire career.
The actor humorously reflected that his genuine physical distress ultimately enhanced the emotional authenticity of the scene. In this pivotal moment, Affleck’s character AJ Frost bids farewell to Willis’ self-sacrificing oil driller who remains aboard an asteroid to manually detonate a nuclear device saving Earth from destruction.
Directed by Michael Bay, ‘Armageddon’ featured an ensemble cast including Billy Bob Thornton, Liv Tyler, Will Patton, Steve Buscemi, William Fichtner, Owen Wilson, and Michael Clarke Duncan. The film became a cultural phenomenon and remains a notable entry in the disaster movie genre, with Affleck’s revelation adding a new layer to its production history.