Matt Damon, a Hollywood heavyweight known for his roles in films like ‘Good Will Hunting’, has revealed a surprising secret to navigating the world of fame: a ‘boring’ marriage. In a recent interview on the ‘Radio Times Podcast’, Damon spoke candidly about the stark contrast between his own life and that of his close friend, Ben Affleck, who’s currently facing a highly publicized divorce from Jennifer Lopez.
Damon, who’s been married to bartender Luciana Barroso since 2005, shared that his ‘boring’ marriage has been the key to avoiding the constant media attention that follows Affleck. He jokingly pointed out that Affleck has been in the news consistently, especially recently due to the Lopez divorce. Damon expressed gratitude for his wife’s ability to ground him and provide him with the privacy he craves.
The actor went on to explain that while he and Affleck have enjoyed parallel careers in Hollywood, their personal lives are very different. Damon has four daughters, including Barroso’s daughter from a previous relationship, and he prioritizes a family life away from the flashing cameras.
He believes that his ‘boring’ marriage, which is not considered ‘celebrity news-worthy’, has shielded him from the scrutiny Affleck endures. He humorously said, ‘Twenty-five years ago, the magazine culture was powerful, but because he’s married and boring, he was basically ignored. Magazines sell by scandal and sex. So unless he was doing those things, there was no value to spend time taking pictures of him. So, we were kind of left alone.’
Damon acknowledges that fame can be a double-edged sword, ‘It’s strange and disorienting.’ He’s thankful for the normalcy his marriage provides and for having found someone who values privacy and loves him despite the pressures of his industry. ‘Luckily, I fell in love with someone who wasn’t in this business and who embraces the less glamorous aspects of fame. It’s been amazing.’
