News | Entertainment
13 Feb 2026 11:21
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Matt Damon couldn't "imagine living under" the same "scrutiny" as Ben Affleck

    The 53-year-old actor and his longtime friend - who he first starred alongside in 1997's 'Good Will Hunting' - have had "parallel careers in a lot of ways", but Matt's pal has typically drawn more attention from the outside world


    Speaking to the Radio Times podcast, he said: "25 years ago, the gossip magazine culture was huge but they ignored me.

    "I wasn't an exciting story; the guy who's married, it's boring! Scandal and sex, that's what people would read magazines for. I've been really lucky.

    "Especially when I look at ['The Instigators' co-star] Casey's brother, Ben. We've had parallel careers in a lot of ways, but I can't imagine living under that scrutiny for 25 years."

    Matt married his wife Luciana, 48, in 2005, and together they have daughters Isabella, 18, Gia, 16, and Stella, 13, while Luciana is also mother to Alexia, 24, from a previous relationship.

    Ben, 51, has previously admitted he "doesn't like a lot of attention".

    Speaking on Kevin Hart's 'Hart to Heart', he said: "I see myself as a director, but I'm a little bit shy. I also don't like a lot of attention. This is why people see me [and] they're like, 'Well, this dude always mad...' Because somebody has their camera and sticking to my face.

    "I don't mind you taking my picture about a club, a premiere, whatever. My wife, I don't give a f***. Go ahead. Knock yourself out. I don't notice you.

    "My children, that's a different thing."

    Ben has children Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and 12-year-old Samuel with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, while wife Jennifer Lopez, 55, has 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony.

    The news come after Jennifer recently celebrated her 55th birthday in the Hamptons. The singer/actress threw a lavish 'Bridgerton'-themed fancy dress party on the weekend before her birthday and she then celebrated her big day by going for a meal in East Hampton with her mum Guadalupe Rodríguez, her manager Benny Medina and several friends .

    Ben is not believed to have attended the fancy dress party or the birthday meal.

    On her birthday, Jennifer shared an emotional message with fans thanking them for all their well wishes. In a post on Instagram, she wrote: "I've been seeing all of your birthday wishes, beautiful videos, and posts all last night and this morning from all over the world. I have laughed, smiled, shed some tears, and when I saw the billboard in Times Square, I was completely overwhelmed.

    "I really do have the best, most amazing fans in the world. I could never express how moved I am or how incredibly blessed I feel to have all of you be a part of my life. Thank you sooooo very much."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     13 Feb: Bad Bunny has reportedly broken the record for the most watched Super Bowl halftime show in history
     13 Feb: Cardi B and Stefon Diggs have sparked split speculation after unfollowing one another on Instagram
     13 Feb: David Beckham has sold his Miami penthouse for $24.6 million, making $4.8 million profit on the plush pad
     13 Feb: Warner Bros Discovery think the Harry Potter revival series will be the "streaming event of the decade"
     13 Feb: Chris Hemsworth admitted he proposed to Elsa Pataky in a very un-romantic way
     13 Feb: Marc Anthony says the Beckham family drama is "unfortunate", but insisted how it is playing out is "hardly the truth"
     13 Feb: Margot Robbie has recalled an actor giving her a book telling her to "eat less"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Blues believe they've unearthed a gem in Torian Barnes ahead of his Super Rugby debut on Saturday More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A collective ambition to make Canterbury one of the best regions to grow business and a great life More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Police are hunting a group of suspects - after a shooting in Auckland's Mission Bay last night 11:17

    Law and Order:
    The Christchurch terrorist changed New Zealand, now he is testing its legal system 11:17

    National:
    How far can teenage Kiwi running star Sam Ruthe go? What science and history tell us 11:17

    International:
    Keen to declutter this year? Here’s how to start 11:17

    Soccer:
    Leaders Arsenal and seventh-placed Brentford have drawn 1-all in Premier League football 11:07

    Entertainment:
    Bad Bunny has reportedly broken the record for the most watched Super Bowl halftime show in history 10:51

    Environment:
    Forecasts of more heavy weather for North Islanders - as a wet weather system sweeps over the country 10:47

    Politics:
    The Children's Minister says she's disappointed unionised Maori staff at Oranga Tamariki are given special leave for cultural events 10:47

    Living & Travel:
    The Black Foils may miss taking to the water to test repairs on their boat today ahead of this weekend's SailGP Auckland regatta 10:37

    Entertainment:
    Cardi B and Stefon Diggs have sparked split speculation after unfollowing one another on Instagram 10:21


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd