(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Matt Damon thinks Hollywood actors today are all schmucks.

The Oscar-nominated star was comparing contemporary talent with that of greats before him such as Steve McQueen and Paul Newman.

Matt plays a psychic who can communicate with the dead in the new Clint Eastwood directed film Hereafter, and has discussed the contemporary industry with the 80-year-old film legend. Clint says Matt reminds him of his younger self a little bit, prompting Matt to muse on modern-day actors.

"It's fun to watch guys come along, the new generation of people because my generation was Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, people like that, Clint told the website Extra. Before that it was Bogart, Gary Cooper and those guys. So now this is the next generation."

Matt joked that Hollywood idols such as Brad Pitt and Jonny Depp couldnt compare to the peers that Clint grew up with on the big screen. "Can you believe schmucks like this work today? We're really going downhill," he laughed.

Clint then began discussing Hereafter, explaining that if he had the opportunity to communicate with someone in the afterlife, he would probably choose a great show business talent from the past.

In particular he would like to talk to jazz musician Louis Armstrong - whereas Matt would prefer to talk to someone closer to home.

"I would just like to figure out how to talk to my wife!" he joked, before Clint reminded him she "is still with us". (C) Cover Media