Matt Damon Praises Academy Membership Diversity Changes

Matt Damon joins Casey Affleck at the premiere of their movie Manchester By the Sea at the 2016 Sundance Film Fetival on Saturday (January 23) in Park City, Utah.

The 45-year-old actor praised the Academy’s pledge to include more diverse members in an interview with Bustle that day.

“I was obviously very happy that they did that. It was shameful and embarrassing that there were two years in a row without a single actor of color nominated. That’s insane,” Matt said. “And so I’m glad that Cheryl Boone Isaacs took some action. It’s a strong first step. That is all it is, it’s a first step. This is gonna be a very long road. But I’m glad there’s at least a first step.”

Also pictured: Manchester By the Sea stars Anna Baryshnikov, C.J. Wilson, Lucas Hedges and Kyle Chandler and actress Aubrey Plaza arriving at the film’s Sundance premiere.

10+ pictures inside of Matt Damon attending the 2016 Sundance Film Festival…