Ben Affleck Shocked by Best Actor Win  9/15/06

Ben Affleck was so sure he would miss out on the top acting prize at the Venice Film Festival, he flew back home to Los Angeles early.

The Oscar-winner picked up the Best Actor award for his portrayal of TV Superman George Reeves in the film Hollywoodland.

He explains, "If I thought for a second that there were going to be awards for anybody, I would have stayed!"

Affleck claims the role has given him a chance to get his career back on track after a string of film flops including Jersey Girl and Gigli.

He adds, "I've been in movies that earned a lot of money that... I wish I wasn't in honestly. I was a little cavalier before, but having a child makes me think about things differently.

"I have to prove myself all over again, but I don't mind that. Once I realized where things were going, I just said, 'OK, let me make sure I'm in a place where I don't have to worry about being on Family Feud for dough in five years and then I'll just do what I can be proud of.'

"The only thing that matters to me is my daughter being able to be proud of her old man."