LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29 (UPI) — Matt Damon attempted to clarify earlier statements regarding his stance on whether gay actors in the entertainment industry have a better shot at success if they remained in the closet.
Talking to Ellen Degeneres during her television show Monday, the actor said the comments he made in a previous interview, such as “it must be really hard for actors to be out publicly,” and “people shouldn’t know anything about [an actor’s] sexuality,” have been misconstrued.
“I was just trying to say actors are more effective when they’re a mystery, right?” the 44-year-old father of four explained to Degeneres. “And somebody picked it up and said I said gay actors should get back in the closet…it’s stupid, but it is painful when things get said that you don’t believe…And then it gets represented that that’s what you believe.”
On Sunday, The Guardian published an interview with the Martian actor in which he cited early rumors he and friend Ben Affleck were gay. “I know,” he said. “It’s just like any piece of gossip…and it puts us in a weird position of having to answer, you know what I mean? Which was then really deeply offensive. I don’t want to, like [imply] it’s some sort of disease — then it’s like I’m throwing my friends under the bus.”
Damon mentioned the case of Rupert Everett, an openly gay actor, and suggested “it’s tough to make the argument that he didn’t take a hit for being out.”
From that, the actor said he felt it “must be really hard for actors to be out publicly,” because it takes away the mystery which, in his opinion, successful actors need.
“I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you,” Damon said. “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.”
In response to Damon’s initial comments about openly gay actors, fans and critics have taken to social media to critique the actor’s views. Some argued the assumption of “straightness” is the default in Hollywood, not part of a mystery. Others suggested homosexual actors remaining secretive about their sexuality is nothing like heterosexuals being private.
This marks the second social controversy surrounding Matt Damon in recent weeks. In early September, the actor came under fire for suggesting, on an episode of his Project Greenlight, ethnic diversity behind the scenes in film is far less important than that in front of the camera.
“When we’re talking about diversity you do it in the casting of the film not in the casting of the show,” he asserted to African-American filmmaker Effie Brown. Several days later, and after the hashtag “Damonsplaining” began trending, the actor apologized for his remarks in a statement:.
I believe deeply that there needs to be more diverse filmmakers making movies. I love making movies. It’s what I have chosen to do with my life and I want every young person watching Project Greenlight to believe that filmmaking is a viable form of creative expression for them too.
My comments were part of a much broader conversation about diversity in Hollywood and the fundamental nature of Project Greenlight which did not make the show. I am sorry that they offended some people, but, at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood. That’s an ongoing conversation that we all should be having.
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