Hollywood star Matt Damon has shared a surprising revelation about the early days of his relationship with his wife, Luciana Barroso, admitting she first had a crush on his best friend and fellow actor, Ben Affleck.
A Confession Years in the Making
During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show on Monday, the 55-year-old Oscar winner explained how the amusing truth came to light. A few months into their relationship, which began in 2003, Barroso confessed that when she and her best friend from high school saw Damon and Affleck's breakthrough film, Good Will Hunting, in 1997, they disagreed on which star was more attractive.
"Her best friend thought I was the cute one. And she thought Ben was the cute one," Damon told the radio host. The actor recalled his mock-outraged reaction at the time, exclaiming to his now-wife, "You got the wrong one?!" He noted that this admission was made 23 years ago, a testament to the longevity and humour within their marriage.
Affleck's Playful Response and a Lasting Friendship
Also appearing on the show, Ben Affleck, 53, responded to the revelation with characteristic wit. Joking about Barroso's role as a producer on their new film The Rip, he said, "She's a great producer and a really good friend. And yeah, I never got that vibe from her." He then quipped that Damon's wife's high school friend had better taste, before lamenting that she is now married—"Story of my life," he playfully added.
The conversation took a more serious turn when Stern suggested how "devastating" it would be if Barroso left Damon for Affleck. Damon agreed, stating, "If my two favourite people just exited my life? Yeah, that would suck." Affleck, however, was quick to praise the solid foundation of his best friend's marriage, calling it "a really gorgeous marriage and friendship" built on a powerful partnership.
A 23-Year Love Story Built on Honesty
Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso met in 2003 in Miami while he was filming Stuck on You and she was working as a bartender. The couple tied the knot in a 2005 ceremony and have built a large family together. They are parents to four daughters: Isabella, 19, Gia, 17, and Stella, 15. Barroso also has a daughter from a previous relationship, Alexia, 26, whom Damon has raised as his own.
This light-hearted story underscores the deep and enduring bond between not only Damon and Barroso but also the legendary friendship between Damon and Affleck. The pair, who have been close for decades, famously shared a bank account early in their careers and won Academy Awards together for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting in 1997. Despite the playful rivalry over who was initially deemed "the cute one," it's clear that both the marriage and the friendship remain on extremely solid ground.
