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EXCLUSIVE: Matt Damon's Touching Family Secret!

Luciana matt

Credit: Photo By: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Three years ago, Matt Damon gave an interview in which he spoke half-jokingly about his fears over his then 12-year-old stepdaughter, Alexia Barroso, growing older.

But, it seems the actor had nothing to worry about. Thanks to his guidance and that of his wife, Luciana, Alexia has grown into a lovely, grounded young woman of 16. And no one is more thrilled about the job Matt has done raising her than her biological father, Arbello “Arby” Barroso — Luciana’s ex-hubby!

In fact, behind the scenes, there’s a lot of good will between him and the Good Will Hunting hunk. “I couldn’t possibly have asked for a better stepfather for my daughter than Matt,” Arby tells Star in his first-ever interview. “He treats Alexia like she is his own flesh and blood. Matt has been an absolute blessing for my daughter.”

Arby and Luciana’s divorce was finalized in December 2004, and a year later, she married Matt at City Hall in NYC. But as Matt’s career flourished, Arby ran into legal and financial problems. Thankfully, he tells Star, his daughter’s stepdad was obviously up to the task of being the breadwinner. “I used to provide for my daughter, but then the market went down,” he explains. “Everyone’s had their trouble, and I had mine. But Matt’s been providing for Alexia now for 10 years, and he treats my daughter great.”

A year ago, Matt announced his plans to move his family from New York City to Los Angeles, and no matter the distance, Alexia’s dad knows he can continue to count on the actor and her mom to keep Alexia on the right path.

“Matt, Luciana and I all have a wonderful relationship,” he says. “People have been hunting me down for years, offering me money and looking for a story. But I could be living in a tent, and I still wouldn’t sell them out. There is no story. Matt is a fantastic stepfather, and Luciana is a terrific mom.”

Check out the full story in this week’s issue of Star, on newsstands now!

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