Ben Affleck’s Armageddon Confession: Shooting the 1998 Epic While Battling Food Poisoning

What looks like heartfelt emotion on screen might actually be a desperate struggle against nausea. Hollywood star Ben Affleck recently shared a grueling behind-the-scenes story from the set of Michael Bay's 1998 blockbuster Armageddon, revealing he was severely ill during one of the film's most pivotal scenes.

The Ben Affleck Armageddon Food Poisoning Incident

Speaking with Fox 32 Chicago, Affleck recalled the moment Bruce Willis' character, Harry S. Stamper, sacrifices himself to save the world. While audiences saw a tearful goodbye, Affleck was busy fighting off a brutal case of food poisoning. "I was literally—it's the only time it's ever happened in my life—vomiting between takes," the actor admitted. He explained that at that stage in his career, he didn't realize he could simply call in sick.

Despite the physical toll, Affleck believes the illness added a layer of realism to the performance. He joked that the misery "probably made the scene better." He also took a moment to praise his late co-star Bruce Willis, describing him as a professional who was "really nice to everybody" on the high-pressure set.

A Surprising Career Highlight

Decades later, Affleck reflects on Armageddon with a mix of humor and pride. Interestingly, he considers his brutally honest DVD commentary for the film to be some of his "best work." He noted that fans approach him about that commentary as much as his actual acting roles. Just last night, on January 16, 2026, he reminisced about the "otherworldly" experience with co-star Steve Buscemi at a recent film premiere.