Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Matt Damon
Discover the career path of Matt Damon, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Matt Damon is a highly successful American actor, producer, and screenwriter. Recognized as one of Forbes's most bankable stars and among the highest-grossing actors, Damon has garnered numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also received multiple nominations for British Academy Film Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards, solidifying his significant contributions to the film industry.
1969: True Grit Origin
In 2010, Matt Damon starred in the Coen brothers' remake of the 1969 John Wayne-starring Western True Grit.
December 2006: Discussed Iraq War inequities on Hardball
In December 2006, while on Hardball with Chris Matthews, Matt Damon voiced his concerns regarding socioeconomic disparities in who bears the burden of fighting wars.
August 2007: Most Bankable Star
In August 2007, Forbes declared Matt Damon the most bankable star, with his last three films averaging $29 at the box office for every dollar he earned.
2007: Narrated Boston Red Sox DVD
In 2007, Matt Damon, a fan of the Boston Red Sox, narrated the commemorative DVD release after the team won the World Series.
2008: Che Guevara biopic Che cameo
In 2008, Matt Damon had an uncredited cameo in the Che Guevara biopic Che.
2008: Financial Crisis Documentary
In 2010, Matt Damon narrated Inside Job, a documentary film about the effects of financial deregulation in the 2008 financial crisis.
August 2009: Ponyo voice role
In August 2009, Matt Damon lent his voice to the English version of the animated film Ponyo.
2009: Water.org Creation
In 2009, Matt Damon's H2O Africa Foundation merged with WaterPartners to create Water.org.
March 2010: Pearl Street Films founded
In March 2010, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck collaborated again to create another production company, Pearl Street Films, a Warner Bros.-based production company.
2010: Highest Grossing Actors Ranking
In 2010, Matt Damon was one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, ranking 37th.
2011: Starring in Multiple Films
In 2011, Matt Damon starred in The Adjustment Bureau, Contagion, and We Bought a Zoo.
2011: PepsiCo Foundation Grant for Water.org
In 2011, Water.org received an $8 million grant from the PepsiCo Foundation to scale up WaterCredit, which provides microloans to families in India. Damon promoted those efforts, tying in with Aquafina and Ethos Water bottled water, owned by PepsiCo and Starbucks.
2012: TD Ameritrade spokesman
In 2012, Matt Damon signed a multiyear deal to be the voice of TD Ameritrade advertisements, replacing Sam Waterston as the discount brokerage's spokesman and donating all fees from the ads to charity.
2012: Hosted fundraiser for Elizabeth Warren
In 2012, Matt Damon, along with Ben Affleck and John Krasinski, hosted a fundraiser for Democratic Senate nominee Elizabeth Warren.
January 24, 2013: Taking over Jimmy Kimmel Live!
On January 24, 2013, Matt Damon took over Jimmy Kimmel's show and mentioned the long-standing feud and having been bumped from years of shows. It involved celebrities who were previously involved in the "feud", including Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, and Sarah Silverman.
May 26, 2013: Behind the Candelabra HBO premiere
On May 26, 2013, Matt Damon's film with Soderbergh, Behind the Candelabra, a drama about the life of Liberace, premiered on HBO.
2013: Starring in Science Fiction Films
In 2013, Matt Damon starred in the science fiction film Elysium and appeared in The Zero Theorem.
2014: Appearances in The Monuments Men and Interstellar
In 2014, Matt Damon starred in George Clooney's The Monuments Men, and played the minor role of scientist Dr. Mann in Christopher Nolan's Interstellar.
2015: The Martian Lead Role
In 2015, Matt Damon had the lead role, astronaut Mark Watney, in Ridley Scott's The Martian, based on Andy Weir's bestselling novel of the same name.
2015: Stella Artois Partnership
Since 2015, Matt Damon has promoted Anheuser-Busch InBev's Stella Artois beer as a Water.org partner, including the sale of limited-edition "blue chalice" glasses imprinted with an embellished blue version of the brand's logo.
2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Matt Damon endorsed Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.
2016: Reprising Role in Jason Bourne
In 2016, Matt Damon reprised his role in Jason Bourne, reuniting with Paul Greengrass.
2017: The Great Wall lead role
In 2017, Matt Damon played the lead role in Zhang Yimou's The Great Wall.
March 2018: Adopted inclusion rider agreement
In March 2018, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck announced that they would adopt the inclusion rider agreement in all future production deals with Pearl Street Films.
September 2018: Saturday Night Live appearance
In September 2018, Matt Damon portrayed jurist Brett Kavanaugh on the late night sketch series Saturday Night Live.
2018: Super Bowl Ad for Water.org
In 2018, Matt Damon promoted Water.org and Stella Artois's role in supporting its work in a commercial made for broadcast during the Super Bowl.
2019: Ford v Ferrari role
In 2019, Matt Damon portrayed Carroll Shelby in the action biographical drama Ford v Ferrari, directed by James Mangold.
October 2021: Crypto.com Partnership
In October 2021, Matt Damon announced a new partnership with the cryptocurrency trading platform Crypto.com, under which Crypto.com was to make a $1 million donation to Water.org, and Damon donates his earnings from promoting the platform to the organization as well.
2021: Starring in Stillwater and The Last Duel
In 2021, Matt Damon starred in Tom McCarthy's crime drama Stillwater and The Last Duel, which he co-wrote alongside Ben Affleck.
2022: Formation of Artists Equity
In 2022, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck formed Artists Equity, an independent production company.
2023: Starring in Air
In 2023, Matt Damon starred as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro in Air, a drama film about the launch of Air Jordan, co-starring and directed by Ben Affleck.
2024: Oppenheimer Role
In 2023, Matt Damon reunited with Christopher Nolan in the biographical film Oppenheimer, playing Leslie Groves, the director of the Manhattan Project. The film was a critical and commercial success, becoming Damon's highest-grossing movie.
2024: The Instigators Release
In 2024, Matt Damon starred in and produced The Instigators, alongside Casey Affleck, for Apple TV+.
July 30, 2025: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Win
On July 30, 2025, Matt Damon won $1 million for Water.org on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
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