“For a lot of actors, our biggest fear is that we're going to start talking about things we don't fully understand and sound like idiots.” ActorsSoundTalkingIdiotBiggest Fear Author:Matt Damon
“As a struggling actor, youre not looking for parts that define you; youre just looking for work.” ActorsStruggleDefine YouLooking For Work Author:Matt Damon
“If you're just an actor you're reactive. You're saying, "Well, I hope Hollywood gives me a role, or gives me a chance at a role," whereas if you can generate your own content, then you can go where you want to go.” IfsWantGivingWellsActorsChanceRolesHollywoodGive MeGive Me A Chance Author:Matt Damon
“As actors, we react to the material that's out there, and I probably just react more strongly to things that I feel will have some social value.” FeelsValuesActorsSocialMaterialsSocial Values Author:Matt Damon
“Most films and directors lose their nerve and want to indicate [emotions] a bit more, to show that their story is clear. I'm not saying that's a good thing; as an actor its anathema to good acting, but to have someone with the confidence to say that should I be utterly natural and minimalist is great.” WantShouldStoriesShowsFilmActorsBitsLosesNaturalActingEmotionClearDirectorsGood ThingsNervesShould IMinimalistAnathemaGood Acting Author:Matt Damon
“Our kids are growing up with more privilege than we had; that's true for most of my friends in L.A. I don't know any actor who grew up with any particular privilege, so everyone wrestles with this. And I think, a lot of times, it's about being patient with your kids.” ThinkingKnowsKidsActorsGrowing UpGrowingParticularGrewGrew UpMy FriendsPatientPrivilege Author:Matt Damon
“Being known as a writer did change the relationships I had with directors. The rap on actors is that they always want to inflate their parts. But when directors know you write screenplays and have a different view of things, you really get invited into the huddle in a much fuller way. And those collaborations end in friendships.” KnowsWayWantWritingDifferentEndsActorsViewsKnownDirectorsRapCollaborationInvitedScreenplaysDifferent Views Author:Matt Damon
“It was shameful and embarrassing that there were two years in a row without a single actor of color nominated. That's insane.” YearsTwoActorsColorInsaneTwo YearsEmbarrassingShameful Author:Matt Damon
“My mother is a professor of early childhood education. When I was two she would say she knew I was going to be an actor.” TwoMotherActorsChildhoodProfessorsEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood Education Author:Matt Damon
“I think what makes a good actor's director is the same thing that makes a good director. Acting is just one of the trades necessary to make a movie.” ThinkingActorsActingDirectorsTradeJust OneGood ActorsGood Directors Author:Matt Damon
“As for poker, I've stayed away from that, even though when I was in Vegas for Ocean's Eleven, I would get accosted by these guys begging me to play. They just want to take my money. They see me, think 'actor' and see some easy money.” ThinkingWantPlayGuyActorsEasyOceanVegasElevenBeggingEasy Money Author:Matt Damon
“The better the actor, the less you know about his life. I mean, nobody's better than De Niro and you don't know anything about him, right?” KnowsMeanActorsDe Niro Author:Matt Damon
“Some people get into this business and they're so afraid to lose anything. They try to protect their position like clinging to a beachhead. These Actor s end up making really safe choices. I never wanted to go that route. If I go down, I'm going down swinging. I know that's the way Heath Ledger feels and Ben Affleck feels the same way, too. We want to take the big swings.” PeopleIfsKnowsWayWantFeelsTryingEndsBigsWantedChoicesActorsLosesPositionProtectSafeSwingsRoutesClinging Author:Matt Damon
“I think what makes a good actor's director is somebody who understands what I'm doing and is respectful of it, but who also has a vision and is directing me toward their vision in a way that feels productive.” ThinkingWayFeelsActorsVisionDirectorsProductiveRespectfulGood Actors Author:Matt Damon
