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Matt Damon has never stepped away from Ben Affleck during the actor-director's most turbulent years, including public divorces and a long struggle with alcohol addiction.
The longtime friends appeared together Monday on SiriusXM's "The Howard Stern Show," where Affleck reflected openly on a period when he admitted he was "drinking too much." Stern turned to Damon and asked whether he felt able to step in and offer help during those highly scrutinized moments.
"Oh, yeah. Our relationship isn't affected by what people are saying," Damon said. "I was there for all of it."
Affleck, visibly moved, responded that Damon's loyalty meant everything to him. "That's sort of what a real friend is," he said.
Damon, 55, and Affleck, 53, have been close since childhood, growing up together in Boston before launching their careers with the Oscar-winning "Good Will Hunting." Stern described their bond as "a great romance" rooted in genuine love rather than Hollywood convenience.
"It's definitely love," Affleck agreed, explaining that the intensity of early male friendships often shapes identity. He said those relationships, especially ones built young, can last a lifetime and provide emotional grounding long after fame arrives.
Damon added that sharing success helped them stay balanced. "We hit the lottery," he said. "We hit it together."
Affleck credited that shared rise for keeping both men "sane" in an industry that can distort reality. Becoming famous simultaneously, he explained, gave them someone trusted to question choices, offer honesty, and cut through excess.
Damon has previously expressed sympathy for Affleck's level of scrutiny, saying he could not imagine enduring that pressure himself. Affleck has faced two highly public
divorces, from Jennifer Garner in 2015 and Jennifer Lopez in 2025, alongside well-documented efforts to address alcoholism.
In 2018, Affleck announced he had completed treatment, describing addiction as a lifelong commitment requiring humility and constant work. Damon stood by him throughout, largely shielded from similar attention.
"And it's been like that for 25 years," Damon said, noting their parallel careers and his gratitude for avoiding some of the spotlight.
Damon, married to Luciana Bozán since 2005, said stability and friendship have been key. For Affleck, that friendship remains foundational, a presence through recovery.
