Matt Damon shares one ‘non-negotiable’ rule he and his wife have never broken

| Assistant Entertainment Editor Published July 18, 2026 10:09am Updated July 18, 2026 10:09am Matt Damon has shared an important rule in his family (Picture:CARLOS JASSO / AFP via Getty Images) Matt Damon may spend months filming blockbuster movies around the world, but there’s one family tradition he insists is worth putting absolutely everything else on hold for. The Odyssey star has revealed that despite his hectic Hollywood career, one rule has remained firmly in place throughout his daughters’ childhoods: everyone sits down for dinner together. And in the Damon household, that’s not open for debate. Speaking to People, the 55-year-old actor revealed family dinner has always been ‘non-negotiable’ for him and wife Luciana as they raise daughters Alexia, 27, Isabella, 20, Gia, 17, and Stella, 15. Rather than trying to stop time as the children age, Damon says the family is focusing on making the most of what’s left. ‘I feel like we are facing it and embracing the fact that it’s happening,’ he explained. ‘We’ve been talking a lot about presence and about really trying to be in the moment.’ Matt and Luciana share four daughters (Picture: Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) Like most families, though, they’ve discovered that sitting around the same table doesn’t necessarily mean everyone’s actually together. Damon admitted the ritual recently received an unexpected reality check after one of his daughters pointed out that the family had spent an entire meal distracted by work and their phones. ‘One of my daughters said, “Well, family dinner, last night we didn’t talk,”‘ he recalled. ‘Oh my gosh, you’re right.’ It’s a surprisingly relatable confession from one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, who seems to be just like the rest of us when it comes to tech addiction. The actor said it’s prompted the family to become more mindful about putting devices away and genuinely connecting during the time they have together. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The rule has become even more meaningful given the sacrifices his family has made throughout his career. Damon recently revealed all four daughters attended the London premiere of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, explaining they deserved to celebrate too after enduring what he described as a long and gruelling shoot. ‘I went away for a while, they came and visited, but it was a lot,’ he said. Fortunately, frequent travel has become second nature for the family over the years. The actor and his wife have been married since 2005 (Picture: Christopher VICTORIO / AFP via Getty Images) Because Damon regularly films across the globe, he says his daughters have grown into ‘seasoned travellers’ who love accompanying him whenever possible. Still, even with international premieres and film sets scattered around the world, it’s the far less glamorous moments that seem to matter most. Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin As Damon prepares for the next chapter of family life, it’s a reminder that even Oscar winners can’t stop their children growing up, but they can, however, make sure everyone makes it to dinner. Arrow MORE: ‘Confused’ man arrested after crashing car into Jay-Z and Beyonce’s mansion gate Arrow MORE: Seth Rogen had the most bizarre reaction while filming Penelope Cruz sex scene Arrow MORE: I praised The Odyssey – Elon Musk’s deluded trolls called me a crazy liberal b****