Matt Damon’s father has died in Massachusetts at age 74 after a long battle with cancer.
Matt has worked to raise awareness and money for cancer research and treatment since his father was diagnosed in 2010.
Kent Damon passed away on December 14 after suffering of complications from multiple myeloma, a rare blood disease that affects bone marrow.
Kent’s condition had worsened in recent months, with Matt, 47, asking fans to pray for his ailing father a few weeks ago.
Speaking to Extra, Matt said: ‘It’s been a slow unfolding; my dad’s sick, so that’s been a process we’re going through. We’ll take any prayers you got, so throw ’em up there.’
Matt has worked to raise awareness and money for cancer research and treatment since his father was diagnosed in 2010.
The Good Will Hunting and Jason Bourne star hosted private fundraisers in Los Angeles and attended benefits for the Massachusetts General Hospital’s Cancer Center in Boston.
At a benefit for Massachusetts General Hospital, the actor told WCVB-TV that while the disease is incurable, his father was doing well and will ‘fight it to a standstill’.
Kent had been battling the bone marrow cancer for many years; but Matt had to pull out of the BAFTA Britannia Awards in October due to a ‘family emergency’ to return home to Boston where he was said to have gone to be at his father’s side.
Kate Mara gave a touching speech about the Suburbicon star before taking the Stanley Kubrick Award for Excellence in Film accolade on his behalf.
She explained: ‘Unfortunately Matt has urgently needed to travel to Boston and couldn’t join us tonight.
‘As much as we wish he was here with us, we know family comes first. So our thoughts are with you, Matt, and much love from your friends here in LA.’
Kent leaves behind Matt and his siblings Kyle and Sarah, as well as Matt’s four children, his grandchildren – Isabella, Gia, Stella and Alexia.
But Kent’s death comes as Matt’s own behaviour has been under scrutiny in recent weeks, following controversial comments he made about sexual abuse in Hollywood.
It was announced on Friday that over 20,000 people had signed a petition calling on the 47-year-old actor’s cameo in the upcoming all female Ocean’s 11 reboot, titled Ocean’s 8, to be scrapped.
The outrage, according to the petition’s author, is due in part to ‘an interview where [Damon] said he’d still work people who had been accused of sexual misconduct, on a “case-by-case” basis.’
The petition was directed towards Ocean’s 8 producers George Clooney – who is good friends with Damon – and Steven Soderbergh. (DailyMail)
No comments:
Post a Comment