Ben Affleck Credits Matt Damon for Keeping Him Grounded in Hollywood

Ben Affleck is getting real about having BFF Matt Damon by his side throughout his career in Hollywood.

Affleck, 52, opened up about the duo’s bond while appearing on the Wednesday, April 30, episode of Travis and Jason Kelce‘s “New Heights” podcast. Travis, 35, wondered what it was like living with Damon, 54, as they tried to make it big.

“We were just f***ing dumb enough to think it would work out for us,” Affleck joked. “That’s part of the gift of being young is you don’t really see that this could end bad, like, it might not work.”

Affleck noted that having Damon around gave him a different perspective in the limelight. “I see a lot of other people who’ve had success and the light turns on you, and all of a sudden, it’s a very different experience day to day,” he continued. “People act different, and s*** is weird. Especially in the beginning of that transition [to stardom]. And I really credit my ability to kind of stay sane to having my best friend who’s doing it too and being able to [say], ‘Is this f***ing bananas or what?’”

While it might be easy for other people to “kiss your ass,” Affleck pointed out that a lifelong friend will keep it real.

When the actor asked whether the Kelce brothers had a similar experience as they adjusted to their NFL fame, Travis said that he was glad to have Jason, 37, as an example.

“I was lucky I just got to follow this guy’s footsteps,” he said of his older brother. “I was just doing whatever the f*** he did and I was benefitting from [him] already paving the way for me.”

Travis also noted that he appreciated being able to “bounce things off of each other” despite being on different teams. (Jason retired from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 after 13 years.)

Affleck and Damon, meanwhile, have been candid about their friendship throughout their careers. Affleck admitted on Wednesday, however, that there’s one thing he’s tired of hearing when it comes to his best pal.

“I just went to the [Accountant 2] premiere, every interviewer [brought up Matt’s abs],” Affleck joked on the podcast. “The one time he got in shape … and he’s out there flexing his nuts off. But he looks good, it ain’t easy when you touch 50.”