Matt Damon leaving Nobu Berkeley restaurant, surrounded by security, and wearing a beanie hat to keep warm, London, England - 04.12.08

The actor had hoped his campaign efforts for Obama would secure him tickets for the big event last week (20Jan09) - but his initial request for inauguration seats for himself and his wife Luciana was turned down.

He says, "When I called my contacts from the campaign, they just started laughing: 'We worked on the campaign for two and a half years, and we're not going. Forget it.'

"Then, they called me back the next day and said, 'Hey, we've got two tickets for you, in the bleachers, and you'll actually be able to see Obama take the oath. Just $25,000 apiece.'"

But Damon and his wife decided to save the money and watch the inauguration from their home in Florida.

Source: WENN