Matt Damon wants to clarify something: He does not believe gay actors should stay in the closet.
The decidedly pro-gay actor found himself in hot water this week for comments he made in an interview with the Guardian.
“In terms of actors,” Damon said, “I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you period. And sexuality is a huge part of that.”
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He then used Rupert Everett as an example.
“[At] the time, I remember thinking and saying, Rupert Everett was openly gay and this guy — more handsome than anybody, a classically trained actor — it’s tough to make the argument that he didn’t take a hit for being out.”
Many people interpreted Damon’s comments as him cautioning gay actors to stay closeted, a claim Damon is now denying.
The second the storm gathered, Damon’s publicist snapped into damage control mode and booked The Martian star a last minute sit-down with none other than Ellen DeGeneres.
In a pre-taped interview, Damon told DeGeneres he was quoted out of context.
“I was just trying to say actors are more effective when they’re a mystery, right?” he clarified. “And somebody picked it up and said I said gay actors should get back in the closet. Which is like, I mean it’s stupid, but it is painful when things get said that you don’t believe. You know what I mean? And then it gets represented that that’s what you believe.”
He then pointed a finger at the “blogosphere,” saying, “There’s no real penalty for just taking the ball and running with it. You know what I mean? You’re just trying to click on your thing.”
