Ben Affleck makes a shocking personal change as Jennifer Lopez divorce moves forward

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez appear to be treating divorce a little differently from one another. While Lopez has been seen recently arm-in-arm with her younger bodyguard, part of a strategy to be perceived publicly amid the divorce proceedings, Affleck has been taking it relatively easy since his reps quashed rumors of a relationship with a member of the Kennedy family.

Affleck's plan to "lay low" is part of his own post-separation strategy. As someone who isn't always comfortable in the limelight and has a longstanding feud with Hollywood's omnipresent paparazzi, the former "Batman" has let it be known that he is focusing on his work and on making personal improvements as he tries to hash out an agreement with Lopez over dividing their assets, some of which are shared.

Ben's new bushy beard

Affleck was spotted recently sporting bushier facial hair than fans are accustomed to seeing. The "Argo" auteur was seen driving around Los Angeles and puffing on a cigarette while in his car with the windows rolled down, mere days before his first Thanksgiving since his highly-publicized split from Lopez.

Lopez filed for divorce in August, months after Affleck had moved out of the shared Beverly Hills mansion that Lopez has been unable to sell. Even still, the couple has been spotted in public on multiple outings with Lopez's children -- the two were even seen kissing at a hotel brunch in September, not long after JLo cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for her fourth divorce.

While Affleck shies away from the limelight, Lopez is having a moment of her own as the press campaign heats up for her new movie "Unstoppable", which was produced by Affleck's company Artists Equity. Lopez is receiving some award buzz for her role as Judy Robles, the mother of wrestler Anthony Robles -- who succeeded in athletics despite being born with only one leg.