Matt Damon has revealed he had to wear false sideburns in his new film.

The American actor plays Texas Ranger La Boeuf in the movie True Grit, a Western-style action film written and directed by the Coen brothers Ethan and Joel.

Matt’s character required sideburns and a moustache to look authentic, but the 40-year-old admitted he struggled to grow the facial hair.

Fortunately, make-up artists on set had the necessary equipment to help him out.

"Luckily they can glue those on because I can't grow them that big," Matt confessed.

The actor is married to Luciana Barroso and the couple raise four girls.

He insists his inability to cultivate the facial hair was actually a blessing in disguise because Luciana would hate it.

"I wish I could but then I'm not sure my wife would be too happy with them. They had a lot of people on hand to help make me look good in this movie," he explained.