Ben Affleck Roasts Matt Damon’s Epic Beard But Still Celebrates Their Friendship

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Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are undeniably two of the closest friends in the entertainment industry, having grown up together in Boston and sharing both writing and acting roles, such as in “Good Will Hunting,” and they have a new movie, “The Rip,” coming soon. To put it simply, they spend a lot of time together, whether on or off the set. Lately, Matt has been sporting an exceptionally long beard for Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” which Ben couldn’t resist making fun of, even while appearing in public with him.

On May 31st early morning, the longtime companions graced the stage during Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event (where our very own Eric Eisenberg was present). They were there to publicize their forthcoming Netflix project, a crime thriller helmed by Joe Carnahan. However, Affleck playfully ridiculed Damon’s recent lumberjack-cum-ancient-hero appearance, joking as he gestured towards his friend’s beard, saying:

I trusted Matt would shave the beard before Tudum, and here we are.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that Ben Affleck’s beard isn’t part of the cast for “The Rip,” but rather for Christopher Nolan’s daring adaptation of Homer’s epic, where Matt Damon portrays Odysseus. In their public outings, Affleck, always the composed one, added a touch of humor while subtly reminding everyone that he isn’t shy about commenting on his friends’ choices, even their grooming ones. True to character, Ben, the leading man in “The Martian,” took the jibe with a smile. After all, he’s been subjected to friendly banter for most of his life, so he knows how to handle such situations gracefully.

As per a report by People, later that evening, Ben Affleck was enjoying dinner at an upscale steakhouse called Steak 48 with Matt Damon and his wife, Luciana. After a hectic day filled with press engagements and friendly ribbing, the trio seemed to be in high spirits. The article hinted that following their meal, Affleck exchanged warm embraces and hearty laughs with his longtime friend and his spouse. The photos indeed capture a relaxed, family-like atmosphere—except, it’s important to note that one of the “family” members is none other than a renowned movie star who often entertains millions by teasing Affleck on stage.

Since his divorce from Jennifer Lopez was finalized this year, the director of the movie “Argo” has been going it alone. However, a recent outing showed that he remains close to the Damons. He may be the only man who can burn someone’s beard in public and then receive a hug from their spouse just a few hours later.

Title “The Rip” is a crime story co-produced by the duo via their company Artists Equity. This series revolves around a group of Miami police officers whose allegiances are tested when they stumble upon a large sum of money in a hidden storage facility. Affleck describes it as a mix of “Heat”, “Narc”, and “Training Day”, offering a raw portrayal of human actions driven by monetary desires. The show is slated to premiere on a streaming service, with its release scheduled for January 16, 2026, marking the beginning of next year.

From the pictures made public of “The Rip,” it appears that Damon has swapped his beard for a goatee. I have a feeling there’s still some teasing to come, and Ben Affleck will be ready with his wit when the film hits theaters in 2026.

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2025-06-02 19:07