Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are back on the road together, and fans are getting a rare glimpse of their decades-long friendship. On the press tour for their new Netflix film, The Rip, the longtime Boston friends mixed off-script banter with family moments, showing a side of themselves audiences rarely see.
The pair’s bond goes back to childhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and includes an Oscar win for Good Will Hunting. Over the years, they’ve collaborated on several films, supported each other through personal challenges, and reunited repeatedly after taking different paths in Hollywood. This press tour highlighted just how relaxed and natural their chemistry has become.
One of the funniest moments came on the Today show, when the actors reflected on their shared past. Damon revealed they once shared a bank account while starting in New York, joking about how little money it held. Affleck teased Damon for getting in shape for The Odyssey, sending both into laughter.
The joking quickly turned warm and sincere. Affleck called Damon “a deeply, fundamentally good man,” catching him off guard. Damon responded with a compliment of his own. They also shared domestic-style jokes, with Affleck pointing out Damon’s poor house-cleaning skills, prompting Damon to explain it was “when I was younger.” Perhaps the most surprising moment was Damon noting that Affleck had arrived early to the interview—the first time in 45 years.
The tour also included charming family moments. At the New York City premiere, Damon appeared with his wife, Luciana, and three of their daughters. The girls humorously teased their father for awkward red carpet poses, creating a warm and unscripted scene that delighted fans and photographers alike.
Affleck and Damon also leaned into their Boston roots. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, they dressed in Boston gear and listed every town and city in Massachusetts alphabetically, with thick Boston accents, for more than four minutes. The playful segment was a clear nod to their shared upbringing and long history together.
On The Howard Stern Show, Damon revealed a personal tidbit: his wife, Luciana, originally thought Affleck was the more attractive of the duo when they first met. The story, which came from Luciana’s best friend, had both actors and the audience laughing. Affleck added his own commentary, keeping the moment lighthearted while showing his comfort with their longstanding friendship.
Beyond the laughs, Damon and Affleck also used their influence to benefit others. For The Rip, they negotiated with Netflix to give bonuses to the entire crew if the film performs well—a rare move in the streaming era. Affleck explained the decision as a way to promote fairness and recognize the hard work of all 1,200 people involved in the nearly $100 million production.
This combination of humor, family interactions, and professional generosity made the press tour feel more like a window into a real friendship than a typical promotional run. It offered fans insight into two actors who have shared a life in Hollywood for decades while maintaining a bond that seems both resilient and playful.
Whether they’re roasting each other, reliving childhood memories, or making sure their team benefits, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have reminded audiences why their friendship remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring and genuine. Their latest tour shows that even after 45 years, the Boston buddies can still make headlines—and hearts—laugh.
