Ben Affleck used to feel like a failing actor.

The 40-year-old actor and director confided in Matt Damon about his insecurities, saying he felt his movies were unsuccessful and he was more in demand for magazine shoots and interviews than his art.

Recalling a conversation he had with Affleck in 2003, Damon said: ''I would call him from Prague and say 'How're you?'. He'd go 'You know, I'm in the absolute worst place you can be. I can sell magazines but not movie tickets. I'm in f***ing jail.'

''I was like, 'It's going to be a long, long, long walk back up the hill.' But he knew he could do it because he's a writer, he's a director, he's incredibly talented.''

Although Affleck had a rough time making a comeback in the movie industry, this year marked a victory for the Hollywood hunk when 'Argo' won an Oscar for best film.

Damon told Total Film magazine: ''He just took a public beating for a long time. Now he's so beyond all of that s**t. Now, when I tell people how great he is, they don't roll their eyes anymore. They agree!''