During a January 12 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Matt Damon shared an unexpected story about his wife Luciana Barroso’s admiration for Ben Affleck long before their marriage. While promoting their Netflix film The Rip, Damon revealed that Barroso initially had a crush on Affleck, not him, after watching Good Will Hunting together with her best friend. This confession adds a surprising twist to their decades-long friendship and collaboration.
How the Crush Came to Light
Damon recounted,
“After we’d been together for probably a few months, I think I met her best friend from high school and it came out that the two of them went and saw Good Will Hunting together and her best friend thought I was the cute one and [Luciana] thought Ben was the cute one.”
He continued,
“So she admitted to me. I’m like, ‘You got the wrong one?!’ She told me that 23 years ago.”
These remarks demonstrated Damon’s amused disbelief at the mix-up early in their relationship.
Ben Affleck’s Perspective on Luciana Barroso
Affleck, who has collaborated extensively with Damon and Barroso, noted that despite Barroso’s early crush, he never detected anything beyond a professional and friendly connection. He praised her work, saying,
“She’s a great producer and a really good friend,”
referring to her involvement as a producer on The Rip.
Affleck added,
“And I never got that vibe from her. So I think something I did in real life rubbed it off.”
Damon concurred with a laugh:
“Finally she met him and all that went away.”
The Endearing Friendship Between Damon, Affleck, and Barroso
Stern jokingly mentioned how devastating it would be if Barroso left Damon for Affleck, a sentiment Damon echoed with heartfelt humor:
“If my two favorite people just exited my life? Yeah, that would suck.”
This highlights the enduring bond among the trio, professionally and personally.
Damon and Affleck’s friendship dates back to childhood. Growing up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just blocks apart, the two met at ages eight and ten and bonded over their shared Hollywood ambitions. Their collaboration on Good Will Hunting in 1997 earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, cementing their careers and personal connection.
The Damon-Barroso Family Journey
Damon met Luciana Barroso in Miami in 2002 while filming Stuck on You. They married within two years and have since built a family together, welcoming three daughters: Isabella, 19, Gia, 17, and Stella, 15. Damon is also stepfather to Barroso’s daughter Alexia, 25, from a previous relationship.
Affleck’s Admiration for Their Relationship
Reflecting on the couple’s long-lasting bond, Affleck shared during the interview that he has witnessed
“a lot of beautiful, lovely things”
from Damon and Barroso in their 20 years together. He described their relationship as
“a really gorgeous marriage and friendship and two people who when they’re apart and independent of one another are one another’s partner.”
He acknowledged their growth, adding,
“I didn’t see the first day, but I have a feeling it’s improved.”
This acknowledgment underscores the strength and depth of their partnership over time.
Looking Ahead: The Lasting Impact of Friendship and Love
The revelation of Luciana Barroso’s early crush on Ben Affleck serves as an amusing footnote within a broader story of enduring friendships and family ties. The story reflects how relationships can evolve beyond initial impressions, and how shared history can solidify bonds that last decades. Fans of Damon and Affleck will appreciate the warmth behind their longstanding creative and personal partnership as they continue collaborating on projects like The Rip.
