Matt Damon has a message for the world: Contrary to what you’ve read, he does not believe gay actors should stay in the closet.
The decidedly pro-gay actor found himself in hot water this week for comments he made in an interview with the Guardian.
“In terms of actors,” Damon said, “I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you period. And sexuality is a huge part of that.”
He then used Rupert Everett as an example.
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“[At] the time, I remember thinking and saying, Rupert Everett was openly gay and this guy — more handsome than anybody, a classically trained actor — it’s tough to make the argument that he didn’t take a hit for being out.”
Related: Matt Damon Warns Gay Actors To Stay In The Closet
Many people interpreted Damon’s comments as him cautioning gay actors to stay closeted, a claim Damon is now denying.
The second the shit storm gathered, Damon’s publicist snapped into damage control mode and booked The Martian star a last minute sit-down with none other than Ellen DeGeneres.
In a pre-taped interview, Damon told DeGeneres he was quoted out of context.
“I was just trying to say actors are more effective when they’re a mystery, right?” he clarified. “And somebody picked it up and said I said gay actors should get back in the closet. Which is like, I mean it’s stupid, but it is painful when things get said that you don’t believe. You know what I mean? And then it gets represented that that’s what you believe.”
He then pointed a finger at the “blogosphere,” saying, “There’s no real penalty for just taking the ball and running with it. You know what I mean? You’re just trying to click on your thing.”
OK, Matt, we forgive you. But please don’t try to blame us for your gaffe. You are smart enough to make sure your context is clear.
Kisses!
Check out the interview below.
Deon Letsoalo
His initial comments were right. Ellen shouldn’t be using her show as a platform of intimidating people who don’t echo her sentiments; not everyone wants to endure these unnecessary avoidable hardships. Even Matt Bomer, Zach Quinto and Neil Patrick Harris WAITED until their careers took off and were accomplished before announcing to the world how they like men. It’s not as if these people’s sexual orientation is important to any of us. Stop trying to claim people!
Eric Erickson
Damon thinks gay actors personal lives should be kept quiet
http://www.people.com/people/matt_damon/
AxelDC
“In terms of actors,” Damon said, “I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you period. And sexuality is a huge part of that.”
Oh, really Matty?
http://www.people.com/people/matt_damon/
“Though he has dated actresses Winona Ryder and Minnie Driver, PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2007 has kept his love life private. In 2005, he quietly married Luciana Bozan Barroso, with whom he has four daughters. The couple renewed their vows in 2013, 10 years after meeting.”
So, does that mean you are a bad actor since there is an entire page on People Magazine’s website dedicated to your personal life? Let’s ask your publicist, who probably provided all these details.
johnkcopley
Oh for goodness sake. We all know what he meant. He was reflecting reality of the homophobic film industry. That doesn’t mean he is. Clearly he isn’t.
Avery Alvarez
Ewww, he says gay people in Hollywood should stay in the closet, then when he’s called on it, he turns around and plays the victim.
“but it is painful when things get said that you don’t believe. You know what I mean? And then it gets represented that that’s what you believe.”
How about, from now on, if anyone is going to give advice out, they should be damn well sure they are taking that advice themselves BEFORE they suggest others do it.
Matt Damon has been pretty open about his love life. It’s inappropriate for him to tell others to keep it quiet, and reduces his likability in my eyes.
Steven
https://youtu.be/_C6UyrT7bt0
Billy Budd
he is definitely at least Bisexual. Everybody knows that. He did a bad job hiding it.
BriBri
Outrage of the day, next!
Mark Engledow
His statement was pretty clear to anyone who actually bothered to read it. Everyone points to the successful ones who came out after their success – duh. Where are the up and coming out actors?
Bisexual-Transwoman
@Billy Budd: I’ve heard he’s gay and closeted; but that Ben is bisexual.
mujerado
@Billy Budd: – No, everybody doesn’t know that. I don’t know it. How do you “know” it? Making assumptions based on surface appearances is a dangerous practice. Matt Damon has a spotlight on his life and everything he says. Don’t buy all the media hype and gossip.
Curty
I think what he said was the truth. Their is a double standard in heterosexual private lives and homosexual private lives. People fear gay actors won’t be took seriously in romantic and action roles. Its still the stupid truth despite many social and law changes in our country. I think the more people come out the more they force producers, executives, directors to stop the prejudice.
Francisco A. Diaz
I agree mark. Anyone who bothered reading the quote, even out of context could understand what he was trying to say so yes Queerty you should employ a lot more responsibility in how you report things. Or else you are just another click bait. Which in view of recent articles you are surely becoming.
kb7rky
To hell with Matt Damon.
Any time someone has to “clarify” their statement(s), it means they meant exactly what they said, and now, they’re having to put a spin on it to appease the masses because their PR person told them to.
Don’t like gays? TOUGH LUCK, ASSHOLE. Build a bridge, and GET THE FUCK OVER IT.
Damich
Who is he kidding? His publicist snapped into gear to save his ass regarding the new movie and the millions to be made off it. He meant exactly what he initially said. Not that he’s a bad person per say since it might be true to a certain degree but he’s not kidding me.
Sansacro
@Avery Alvarez: Uh, actually, he has been pretty private. When you seriously date or marry someone and you’re famous, any tabloid can figure that out. He always looks like he’s been stalked in photos. Similarly, if you’re out in private life, these days it is pretty hard to be gay unless you’re hiding it.
That said. there are no famous leading men in film who are out. Probably would hurt their career, but I guess that might change, although film is a big international biz these days and don’t see a gay super hero actor playing well with China, Russia, Middle East, and parts of South America. Time will tell.
In the end, I don’t care what other people do. It’s their lives. There are enough openly gay people in the media. It’s not 1957 in America.
Sansacro
Gotta say, for my money, Matt just gets hotter and hotter with age.
Avery Alvarez
@Sansacro: I don’t agree that he has been very private.
That’s your assertion, but it doesn’t ring true to me.
As for there being no leading men who are out, and how EXACTLY do you propose we change that?
By using Damon’s theory of staying in the closet to be “mysterious”
Give me a break.
I highly doubt you don’t care what people do in their lives judging your comment history here, but okay, if it’s convenient for you to claim it now.
The point is, I disagree with your and Damon’s assertion that gay actors should stay in the closet while straight actors should be out. I find a hint of homophobia in it. If you don’t that’s your opinion.
enlightenone
@Deon Letsoalo: You are clueness! Then, again, you don’t learn much in a “closet.” Only sissies would be “intimidated” by the light of Ellen!
enlightenone
@enlightenone: Oops, that would be “clueless!”
NJjoe
It’s impossible nowadays to keep your sexuality a secret. Especially if you are a person in the media.
Giancarlo85
Okay… for those who say he is right? How so? I want to hear. Clarify for me please.
Matt Damon is being hypocritical because his own personal life is publicized. He isn’t making it a secret. So why should a gay person? So are some suggesting gay people should stay in the closet so they could try to get career advancement instead? Ehhhhhh…. bad idea. That’ll eventually backfire bigtime. It’s next to impossible to keep things a secret. Just ask John Travolta about that one.
alterego1980
@Giancarlo85: If you read his actual quotes, not the dissected Queerty versions, you should realize that he is not saying gays should stay in the closet. He is saying that AT THE TIME, being out probably hurt Everett’s acting career. It is an honest answer to a direct question. Why the Guardian would ask him this anyway, except to scoop for clickbait quotes is ridiculous. Damon does not publicize his family and relationship, the tabloids do that for (to) him. He is a very gay-friendly person and is talking about staying private, not about staying in the closet. They are different. Think Kardashians. They are very public with their personal lives. Damon is not. You think Kim Kardashian could ever play a nun in a blockbuster movie? of course not.
gababy2
This should be so hard for straight actors because i always see them with wives and children in public, but hmmm i think this only should address to gay men, right?
bicurious
This is an intelligent and yes, gorgeous, straight (as far as I know) man who if you pay attention to what he really said said something insightful and supportive. What is it with the gays these days who always, ALWAYS whip out the fangs.
cjc1414
I used to like MD, even though I think he is one of the closeted stars, now I think he is a total douche bag.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
@Steven: very good video.
Finrod
“I was just trying to say actors are more effective when they’re a mystery, right?”
One of Mr. Damon’s early claims to fame was that he broke up with Minnie Driver on a talk show rather than telling her in person. The man has been puking his personal life into the media for decades. Why doesn’t he lead by example? Or are his rules only for gay people? Shameful of Ellen not to call him out on his double standard.
OzJosh
And here we have a classic example of Queerty doing PRECISELY what Damon is talking about in the interview – using the alleged “controversy” over his statements to infer some kind of, albeit accidental, homophobia. Pure clickbait, with the inevitably result – a lot of spectacularly ill-informed commenters slagging off Damon for something he never said.
Anyone who read the original Guardian article would have been in no doubt about what Damon was saying, and it wasn’t remotely homophobic. You only get to that by wilfully taking quotes out of context and twisting them to get virtually the opposite intent. There’s enough real news worth talking about without these manufactured controversies that only succeed in defaming the poor subject, and making us more distrustful (if that’s possible) of online media sites.
Brian
Ellen + Matt = two rich celebrities. Nuff said.
stranded
His actual point makes a lot of sense, but isn’t he always spewing his political ideas?
TomOH
Is it wrong to support both people who wish to be open about their sexuality as well as people who wish to be private about it?
I don’t have a problem if an actor – whom let’s assume is actually straight – chose to purposefully remain ambiguous and private about their sexuality and their love life, and declined questions about that to the media. I could see that as an act of solidarity with the LGBTQ community. I think of someone like Tilda Swinton, whom I admittedly don’t know very well, but I have noticed she doesn’t conform to typical female or male looks or mannerisms, and I honestly don’t know off hand what her sexuality is. But quite frankly, it’s none of my business either. She should be treated the same regardless of her sexual orientation or gender identity anyhow – why would I or anyone else *need* to know what it was?
Matt is a hypocrite since he doesn’t exactly practice this “mysteriousness” that he’s suggesting other actors should. But just because we learn that a person is dating or married someone of the opposite sex, that doesn’t mean they are 100% heterosexual either. They could still be completely bisexual too. It reveals some, but not all about their sexual orientation.
But I think there is at least still a little of an argument for being ambiguous about your sexuality if you’re an actor – it can allow a wider audience to connect with you in some way. Acting is a more unique situation than something like being a gay Architect or a bisexual Chemist.
I’ll use the porn industry as an example, there are many seemingly straight male porn actors who are very appreciative of their gay fan base and don’t 100% commit to being straight even though they probably are. Nacho Vidal, Evan Stone and Jack Lawrence come to mind, they will sometimes tease pseudo-gay stuff for our enjoyment. In fact, Nacho as well as Alberto Rey have both directed gay porn videos.
oz1967
Ellen on her high horse again along with Whoopi on the View, get over yourselves. I understand what Mr Damon, who funnily enough not a huge fan of, was trying to say with regards to homophobia in Hollywood and acting (you could also put sports in there too, Michael Sams anyone?) in general no mater what your political/religious beliefs or sexuality, it may better to leave those aspects of your personal life private, unless it is something you can bring to a role. Both Afleck and Damon have been huge supporters of the LGBT community so I find this attack unwarranted and just plain dumb, but if it starts a conversation on homophobia in the entertainment and sports industries all the better.
Brian
Maybe Matt Damon is referring to himself????
Bauhaus
Let me get this, ahem, straight. Heterosexuals openly discuss relationships, marriage, family, kids, break-ups, happiness and the like, but we are to remain a mystery (to be more believable and better as actors). They can convincingly play us, but we can’t believably play them, and our careers will be sunk if we are out. Got it.
enlightenone
@oz1967: “…I understand what Mr Damon, who funnily enough not a huge fan of, was trying to say with regards to homophobia in Hollywood and acting.”
HE NEEDS TO SAY (or WRITE IT DOWN) what he meant NOT YOU especially when you (“…it may better to leave those aspects of your personal life private, unless it is something you can bring to a role…) are lacking in the social intelligence department!
enlightenone
@bicurious: “…What is it with the gays these days who always, ALWAYS whip out the fangs.” To protect their dicks from you! When you figure out what you are (older than 14 – the age of curiosity) perhaps they’ll put their “fangs” back in!
enlightenone
@Finrod: Actually, she did! Listen carefully her last comment. It was wrapped in her humor style by making her point w/o her directly challenging…
enlightenone
@OzJosh: “…it wasn’t remotely homophobic” The advice is offered because he concludes the industry/consumers are homophobic! Technically, you write well. Unfortunately, it’s lacking insight and ability to comprehend!
enlightenone
@TomOH: “…why would I or anyone else *need* to know what it was?”
Because it communicates and informs rules, boundaries, needs, wants, etc… WE ARE SOCIAL BEINGS operating from social behavioral expectations and rules that have both negative and positive consequences, rewards and punishments, as well as affirming CONNECTIONS!
“…there are many seemingly straight male porn actors who are very appreciative of their gay fan base and don’t 100% commit to being straight.”
If they are doing same-sex porn, then they are not “100%” straight. As you stated, “seemingly” is the operative word!
Doughosier
At least wait until you’re famous to come out. Given the choice of an openly gay actor and a straight actor, the studios are going to play it safe.
Bauhaus
@Doughosier:
Why won’t Damon call out the studios for what you are proffering? Safe is what we have now, and WE are forced to have “mysterious” private and personal lives, and the threat of a tanked livelihood and career if we dare come out. Talk about throwing your gay friends under the bus. I mean, what’s Damon’s angle?
Marvellis1
We owe Matt some gratitude, he has done a masterful job portraying gay parts in films, and has reached a point where he is a powerful political influence in Hollywood. He is on our side. Give the guy a break.
enlightenone
@Marvellis1: “…powerful political influence in Hollywood. Give the guy a break.”
The break is self-correct being articulate, assuming what he said he didn’t mean (Ellen gave him that opportunity!)because he is, as you say, a “powerful political influence.” He blew it! Perhaps he needs to consult with his secure and mature gay friends and not his PR people.
Brian
While many of you are right to be upset with Matt Damon, your criticism needs to be broader. Look at the big picture. Name me one woman who would pay to see a movie where the romantic male lead is known to be interested in men in his private life.
If you can’t name me one woman, there’s your answer.
erasure25
This is so stupid. Matt isn’t homophobic. He didn’t tell people to stay in the closet. He doesn’t owe an apology because nothing was said. This is just a lame click-bait topic being pushed by the 24 hour pundits. And all the gays feign shock and scream bloody murder over nothing. We are so used to being persecuted that we don’t know how to react otherwise. Being persecuted is our default state. Kinda sad actually, we can’t recognize the real threats from the trivials…
maaattcaaast
I think some of you are giving damon a little too much of the benefit of the doubt. If he had commented on the difficulty of coming out as a gay male in Hollywood and how it has the potential to ruin careers, then yes he would of just been speaking an unfortunate truth about the “liberal” L.A. entertainment industry. This isn’t what he did however, instead he claimed that staying in the closet “makes you a better actor.” His attempt at ending the controversy on “ellen” didn’t particularly ring true to me either. I get that he may of been trying to argue that keeping a certain amount of mystery makes you a better actor and I agree that maybe sometimes we know too much about an actor and it can take us out of the character or particular role (I don’t agree that sexuality is one of those things however) but the example he chooses to elaborate on is sexuality and Rupert Everett. Being out didn’t hurt Rupert’s acting, it may have hurt his career but this is entirely because of homophobia in the industry (and a fear by casting directors/studio heads/publicists/agents that the broader American society couldn’t handle a gay leading man) and nothing at all about a “lack of mystery.” I’d argue that to probably 100% of the public, Rupert Everett had more mystery than Matt Damon ever had or attempted to have. Damon’s attitude contineues this very kind of thinking.