Movie superstar Ben Affleck took the opportunity to thank Harvey Weinstein for his career at Tuesday night's (09MAR04) Jersey Girl premiere in New York.

The pair had fallen out over Affleck's decision to give an interview about the movie mogul to author PETER BISKIND, whose damning portrait of the Miramax boss and his brother BOB in book DOWN AND DIRTY PICTURES has just been published.

But Affleck was keen to make amends at the romantic drama's screening, where he thanked Weinstein and director pal Kevin Smith for providing him with the best films of his career.

He told the audience: "Harvey, Kevin and I are part of a dysfunctional family. I love Harvey, I wouldn't have a career without Harvey. I'm loath to admit it, but I did my best work with Kevin and Miramax."

Previously Affleck had written a furious letter to Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, after the magazine published excerpts from Biskind's tome, saying: "I regret cooperating with Biskind. As it turned out Mr. Biskind was yet another gossip columnist masquerading as an 'entertainment journalist' who had written his story before even bothering to research it."

However, Biskind counters Affleck was privy to all the quotes used and had asked for changes to them to make them more Miramax-friendly.

According to American website PAGE SIX.com the GIGLI star had told Biskind he couldn't wait to read the controversial book.

11/03/2004 16:56