‘We’ve Had Parallel Careers’ but ‘I’m Grateful’ to Be Exempt From That

Matt Damon recently expressed on the “Radio Times Podcast” that he “can’t imagine” living with the kind of media scrutiny faced by his lifelong friend and collaborator Ben Affleck. Reflecting on their careers, Damon pointed out that despite their “parallel careers,” their experiences with fame have been quite different.

Damon and Affleck both catapulted to fame with their Oscar-winning film “Good Will Hunting,” and have since taken on major roles in numerous blockbuster films and franchises. Despite these similarities, Damon acknowledged that he has been “really lucky” to avoid the intense media spotlight that typically follows Affleck. “I can’t imagine living under that kind of scrutiny,” Damon noted. He attributes much of his lower profile to his “boring” personal life, including his steady marriage, which has kept him out of the tabloid limelight, unlike Affleck’s high-profile relationship with Jennifer Lopez.

“That magazine culture that was so huge 25 years ago kind of ignored me,” Damon said. “A married guy is so boring. What sold were scandal and sex, and as long as you didn’t do any of that, it wasn’t worth their time to take your picture.” Consequently, Damon enjoyed a sense of privacy that allowed him to navigate his career without constant media interference. He also mentioned how disorienting fame can be, stating, “It’s a bizarre, disorienting feeling. I just wanted to get to work, so I kind of hid for a few years while I got my bearings.”

Affleck, too, has benefited from this friendship. He revealed to Entertainment Weekly in 2022 how Damon helped him recuperate his career after a difficult experience working on “Justice League.” Affleck said, “I had a really nadir experience around ‘Justice League’ for a lot of different reasons. I didn’t like being there. I didn’t think it was interesting. Some awful things happened, but that’s when I decided I’m not going to do that anymore.”

Affleck continued, “I talked to [Damon] about it, and you were a principal influence on that decision. I want to do the things that would bring me joy. Then we went and did ‘Last Duel,’ and I had fun every day on this movie. I wasn’t the star, I wasn’t likable. I was a villain, yet it was a wonderful experience. And it was all just stuff that came along that I wasn’t chasing.” This willingness to adapt and reevaluate his career has allowed Affleck to take joy in his work once again, suggesting that Damon’s influence was both timely and impactful.

Most recently, Affleck and Damon appeared together in last year’s “Air” and currently have several film projects in development. These include “RIP,” a Netflix thriller by writer-director Joe Carnahan, and a film focusing on Hulk Hogan’s infamous legal battle with Gawker, which will be directed by Gus Van Sant, reuniting the duo with their “Good Will Hunting” director.

This enduring friendship and professional collaboration between Damon and Affleck continues to be a vital support system and creative partnership. Their mutual support, combined with their ability to navigate the challenges of fame, highlights an exceptional partnership that has both personal and professional significance.

Source: People