Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Learned a Harsh Financial Lesson After 'Good Will Hunting'
Hollywood stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon recently shared a candid story about money. The lifelong friends discussed their early financial missteps from their breakout film 'Good Will Hunting'. They appeared on a popular chat show and looked back at selling their Oscar-winning script in 1997.
The $600,000 Script Sale Felt Like a Jackpot
Affleck and Damon sold their celebrated script for $600,000. This seemed like a massive fortune to them at the time. Both men were in their mid-twenties then. They quickly discovered that Hollywood deals come with heavy deductions.
On 'The Howard Stern Show', Affleck joked about the reality of taxes. He told Stern, "It turns out, Howard, you have to pay these things called taxes." The duo split the payment evenly through their joint bank account in Cambridge.
Taxes and Agent Fees Slashed Their Earnings Drastically
After the Internal Revenue Service took its share and agents collected their cuts, the amount shrank dramatically. Each friend ended up with roughly $110,000. Damon described this moment as a "big wake-up call." He expressed confusion about where the rest of the money went.
Their spending spree began immediately. Each man bought a $55,000 Jeep Cherokee. They then combined their remaining funds to rent an expensive apartment. This "party pad" near the Hollywood Bowl cost them $5,000 per month.
From Windfall to Broke in Just Six Months
"We were broke in six months," Affleck admitted with a laugh. He revisited this story on 'The Drew Barrymore Show' in 2023. Affleck noted that their reckless spending marked a naive entry into fame and fortune.
The film 'Good Will Hunting' propelled them to stardom. Directed by Gus Van Sant, it featured Damon as the genius janitor Will Hunting. Affleck played his loyal best friend Chuckie. Robin Williams earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The script itself won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Produced by Miramax, the movie was a major commercial success. It was made on a $10 million budget and grossed over $225 million globally.
A Friendship That Withstood Fame and Personal Struggles
Beyond finances, their conversation highlighted a deep, enduring bond. Damon stood by Affleck during his battles with alcohol. He also supported him through divorces from Jennifer Garner and Jennifer Lopez. "I was there for all of it," Damon stated. Affleck praised Damon as the ultimate example of a "real friend."
From Broke Dreamers to Hollywood Power Players
Their journey from financial naivety to industry leaders is inspiring. Today, Affleck directs acclaimed films like 'Argo'. Damon stars in major blockbusters. Those early tax woes and quick cash burns now serve as fuel for their successful careers. They have built an empire from those humble and expensive lessons.
