Matt Damon is speaking out after comments he made about gay actors caused a backlash.
During a pre-taped appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” airing Tuesday, the actor said recent comments he made during an interview with The Guardian were taken out of context.
“I was just trying to say actors are more effective when they’re a mystery, right?” “The Martian” star told Ellen. “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.”
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The actor explained that in the early days of his career, he and Ben Affleck were the subject of gay rumors, but that in today’s world, “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.”
In his interview with The Guardian, Matt said, “I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you, period. And sexuality is a huge part of that. 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.”
— Jesse Spero
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