Over the weekend, an interview Matt Damon gave to The Guardian set off a roiling controversy regarding his comments on audiences not knowing an actor's sexuality.
"I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you, period. And sexuality is a huge part of that," he explained. "Whether you’re straight or gay, people shouldn’t know anything about your sexuality, because that’s one of the mysteries that you should be able to play."
That comment went through the media machine and quickly turned into: Matt Damon thinks gay actors should stay closeted. While it was pretty clear to anyone paying close attention that his remarks were being misrepresented, Damon had an opportunity to clear the air when he appeared on Ellen this week, and explain what he was actually trying to say.
"Something you said is getting twisted around, and I want you to address it," DeGeneres prompted Damon.
"I was talking about, actors are more effective when you know less about their personal lives," he explained. "I was just trying to say actors are more effective when they're a mystery, right? And somebody picked it up and said I'd said, 'I think gay actors should get back in the closet.'"
"It's stupid. It's painful when things get said that you don't believe," he added.
Ellen said she wanted to give Damon a platform to nip the controversy in the bud. "I know you, and I know you're not that guy," the longtime host — who celebrated her seventh wedding anniversary with wife Portia de Rossi last month — added.
But, of course, she also managed to lighten the mood by ribbing Damon about his thisclose relationship with Ben Affleck. Check out the video and get in on the joke at the end.
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