Quick Read
- Matt Damon and Ben Affleck discussed their enduring friendship and new film ‘The Rip’ on SiriusXM’s ‘The Howard Stern Show’ on January 12, 2026.
- Damon confirmed he supported Affleck through his divorces and struggles with alcohol addiction, stating, ‘I was there for all of it.’
- Affleck described their bond as ‘real love’ and emphasized the importance of lifelong male friendships.
- Damon revealed his wife, Luciana Barroso, initially had a crush on Ben Affleck, not him, after seeing ‘Good Will Hunting’.
- Their new action thriller, ‘The Rip,’ directed by Joe Carnahan, premieres on Netflix on January 16, 2026.
In the fickle landscape of Hollywood, where alliances can shift as quickly as box office numbers, the bond between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck stands as a rare testament to enduring friendship. The two celebrated actors, whose shared journey began decades ago in Boston, recently offered a candid glimpse into the depths of their relationship, discussing mutual support through personal trials, their latest cinematic collaboration, and even a humorous revelation about Damon’s wife.
The duo has been making headlines, not just for their upcoming action thriller, The Rip, but for their refreshing openness about what it truly means to be lifelong friends in the glare of the public eye. Their promotional tour brought them to New York City on January 12, 2026, where they sat down for an interview on Katie Nolan’s SiriusXM podcast, Casuals, and later delved even deeper into their bond on The Howard Stern Show.
The Unbreakable Bond: Navigating Hollywood’s Highs and Lows
During their appearance on The Howard Stern Show, host Howard Stern probed the actors about how they’ve managed to maintain such a strong connection amidst the pressures of fame and personal struggles. Stern specifically addressed Affleck’s well-documented battles with alcohol addiction and his divorces, asking Damon directly if he felt he could always be there for his friend. Damon’s reply was unequivocal: “Oh, yeah, our relationship isn’t affected by what people are saying. I was there for all of it.”
Affleck, visibly moved by his friend’s steadfast loyalty, echoed the sentiment, stating, “That means a lot to me. That’s sort of what a real friend is.” Their exchange painted a picture of a friendship forged in the fires of shared ambition and cemented by unwavering support through life’s most challenging moments. Stern, known for his incisive observations, characterized their bond as akin to “a great romance” and “real love.” Affleck readily agreed, reflecting on the unique intensity of male friendships formed in youth.
“It’s definitely love,” Affleck asserted, as reported by Reality Tea. “Especially as a young guy, the really intense love relationships you have with other young men who you’re really loyal to and really close to and who you grew up with, and a lot of times those relationships are lifelong.” He further elaborated on the foundational role these early bonds play in shaping identity, a sentiment many can relate to regardless of their walk of life. “I think as young men at least, we were much more… We understood better how important these pure friendships were, and what they meant to us and how they kind of define your identity as early as high school,” the Gone Girl star explained.
Their conversation highlighted the rarity of such a deep, unyielding connection in an industry often defined by fleeting associations. It’s a relationship that has weathered the storms of individual successes, public scrutiny, and personal adversities, emerging stronger each time. Damon’s presence during Affleck’s divorces – from Jennifer Garner (2005-2018) and later Jennifer Lopez (2022-2024) – underscores a commitment that transcends the typical boundaries of celebrity friendships. This isn’t merely a professional alliance; it’s a brotherhood, a cornerstone in both men’s lives that provides stability and genuine connection.
Behind ‘The Rip’: A New Cinematic Adventure
Beyond their personal reflections, Damon and Affleck were also promoting their latest collaboration, The Rip, an action thriller set to premiere on Netflix on Friday, January 16, 2026. The film, written and directed by Joe Carnahan, follows a group of Miami cops whose allegiances are tested when they uncover a massive stash of illicit money. This project marks another chapter in their extensive history of working together, a partnership that famously began with their Academy Award-winning screenplay for Good Will Hunting.
Their professional synergy is as remarkable as their personal friendship. Having grown up dreaming of careers in New York City, their journey from aspiring actors to Hollywood heavyweights has been a shared one. Each new project they undertake together, whether as actors, writers, or producers, carries the weight of their collective experience and mutual respect. The Rip promises to be a gripping addition to their filmographies, showcasing their continued ability to deliver compelling performances while leveraging their undeniable on-screen chemistry.
A Humorous Twist: Luciana Barroso’s Initial Crush
Adding a touch of lightheartedness to their candid interviews, Matt Damon shared an amusing anecdote about his wife, Luciana Barroso, and her initial impression of the two actors. As reported by Page Six, Damon revealed on The Howard Stern Show that Barroso, before they met, had harbored a crush on Ben Affleck, not him, after watching Good Will Hunting.
“Her best friend thought I was the cute one,” Damon recalled of the 1997 film, “And [Barroso] thought Ben was the cute one.” Damon playfully told his now-wife, “You got the wrong one,” after her confession, which came “probably a few months” into their relationship, which began in 2003. Affleck, who was also present during the interview, chimed in, clarifying that he “never got that vibe” from Luciana, whom he described as “a great producer and a really good friend.”
Affleck humorously speculated that “something I did in real life rubbed it off. You know, in person, you’re different,” to which Damon quipped, “Finally, she met him and all that went away.” This jovial exchange highlighted the comfortable, familial dynamic that extends beyond just the two actors, encompassing their respective partners. Damon and Barroso have been married since 2005 and share four children, while Affleck, despite his tumultuous romantic history, has maintained his close bond with both Matt and Luciana.
Indeed, their intertwined lives have occasionally made headlines, such as in September 2024, when Affleck was photographed kissing Luciana’s head during an outing, shortly after Damon was seen holding hands with Jennifer Lopez. These moments, rather than creating awkwardness, seem to further underscore the unique and unwavering closeness of their extended circle. It’s a testament to a friendship that has transcended individual relationships and Hollywood’s ever-present gossip mill.
The enduring friendship between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck offers a compelling counter-narrative to the often-solitary journeys of celebrity. Their public displays of loyalty and mutual support, combined with their continued professional collaboration, demonstrate that deep, authentic bonds can indeed thrive even under the intense scrutiny of the global spotlight. It’s a powerful reminder that true camaraderie, built on shared history and unwavering presence, remains one of life’s most valuable currencies, irrespective of fame or fortune.