Matt Damon missed out on another work commitment earlier this week (ends22Dec17) to deal with a “family issue” amid his father’s health battle.
The Jason Bourne star’s new movie Downsizing premiered at the Regency Village Theatre in Westwood, California on Monday (18Dec17), but Damon pulled out of the event to “deal with an ongoing family matter,” according to his representative.
It is unclear what family issue Damon is dealing with, but earlier this month, he revealed his father is gravely ill.
“It’s been a slow unfolding,” he told TV show Extra. “My dad’s sick, so that’s been a process we’re going through.”
Reports suggest Matt’s father, Kent Damon, 68, is battling cancer. Damon also had to scrap his appearance at the recent Britannia Awards.
Meanwhile, the actor hit headlines last week (ends15Dec17) for his latest comments about the sexual harassment and assault scandals rocking Hollywood. In an interview with ABC News, he attempted to make it clear that there are different levels of misconduct.
“I think it’s wonderful that women are feeling empowered to tell their stories and it’s totally necessary… (but) I do believe there’s a spectrum of behavior…,” he said. “There’s a difference between patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right? Both of those behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated without question, but they shouldn’t be conflated.”
He was subsequently criticized by ex-girlfriend Minnie Driver, Cher, Alyssa Milano, and Debra Messing, among others.
However, Damon’s co-star James Van Der Beek came to his defense at the Downsizing premiere, suggesting Matt’s response had been taken out of context.
“You know, this is not something that plays out well in soundbites,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I think Matt was trying to do some good and ask some questions that we’re all going to have to answer pretty soon. I don’t have the answers. We’re all figuring it out.”
