Ben Affleck took daughter to spelling bee hours before Oscars

BEN AFFLECK had his hands full before the Academy Awards on Sunday (24Feb13) as he shuffled his daughter to her local spelling bee just hours before Hollywood's biggest prizegiving.

The actor/director, whose thriller Argo was nominated for seven Oscars and won three, including Best Picture, played the role of proud dad by taking one of his young girls to a competition in Los Angeles.

His wife, Jennifer Garner, tells EOnline.com, "It was mayhem at our house. Our daughter was in a spelling bee at the local rec (recreation) center. I was in hair and make-up so I couldn't take her, so Ben took her in the middle of everything.

"She won! Our family has already had a great day, so congratulations to our sweetie. And then she had a basketball game. Life goes on. No one really cares! It's just all about trying to keep the dogs and kids from getting stuff on the stuff."

Affleck admits he was more anxious watching his child showing off her knowledge on stage than walking the red carpet.

He tells TV host Ryan Seacrest, "I was more nervous at the spelling bee than I am now, I don't know what that says. There was a lot of words. Let me tell you something, you and me might have been in trouble (sic)."

It is unclear which of the stars' daughters entered the contest as they have two girls, Violet, seven, and Seraphina, four. Last February (12), the actors also welcomed a baby boy Samuel, who will mark his first birthday on Wednesday (27Feb13).