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, film producer, and screenwriter. Recognized as one of Forbes's most bankable stars and among the highest-grossing actors, Damon has garnered numerous accolades. These include an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also received nominations for three British Academy Film Awards and seven Primetime Emmy Awards, highlighting his consistent achievements across film and television.
July 25, 2007: Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On July 25, 2007, Matt Damon received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the 2,343rd person to receive this honor.
August 2007: Most Bankable Star
In August 2007, Forbes declared Matt Damon the most bankable star, citing that his last three films averaged $29 at the box office for every dollar he earned.
2007: Narrated Boston Red Sox commemorative DVD
In 2007, Matt Damon, a Boston Red Sox fan, narrated the commemorative DVD release after the team won the 2007 World Series.
2008: Cameo in Che Guevara biopic Che
In 2008, Matt Damon had an uncredited cameo in the Che Guevara biopic Che, and declined an offer from James Cameron to star in Avatar to honor his Bourne contract. Cameron offered Damon 10% of Avatar's profits, which Damon later acknowledged was a significant amount of money to turn down.
August 2009: US Release of Ponyo
In August 2009, Matt Damon lent his voice to the English version of the animated film Ponyo, which was released in the United States.
2009: Founded Water.org
In 2009, Matt Damon's H2O Africa Foundation merged with WaterPartners to create Water.org, an organization focused on providing safe, clean drinking water and sanitation to developing countries.
March 2010: Formation of Pearl Street Films
In March 2010, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck collaborated to create Pearl Street Films, a Warner Bros.-based production company.
2010: Ranked as One of the Highest-Grossing Actors
In 2010, Matt Damon was ranked as one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, placing 37th.
2011: Starred in Several Films
In 2011, Matt Damon starred in 'The Adjustment Bureau', 'Contagion', and 'We Bought a Zoo'. Also in 2011, he voiced a krill named Bill in the animated film Happy Feet Two.
2011: Water.org received a grant from PepsiCo Foundation
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 has 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 became the voice of TD Ameritrade advertisements, replacing Sam Waterston, and donated all fees from the ads to charity. Also in 2012, Damon filmed Promised Land, directed by Gus Van Sant, which Damon co-wrote with John Krasinski.
2012: Hosted a fundraiser for Elizabeth Warren
In 2012, Matt Damon joined Ben Affleck and John Krasinski in hosting a fundraiser for Democratic Senate nominee Elizabeth Warren.
May 26, 2013: Behind the Candelabra Premiered on HBO
On May 26, 2013, Matt Damon's film with Steven Soderbergh, Behind the Candelabra, a drama about the life of Liberace, premiered on HBO, with Damon playing Liberace's longtime partner Scott Thorson.
2013: Starred in Elysium and The Zero Theorem
In 2013, Matt Damon starred in the science fiction film Elysium and appeared in The Zero Theorem. He also appeared in a Nespresso advertisement and provided voiceover for United Airlines' "Fly the Friendly Skies" ad campaign.
2014: Starred in The Monuments Men and Interstellar
In 2014, Matt Damon starred in George Clooney's The Monuments Men and played Dr. Mann in Christopher Nolan's Interstellar. That same year, Damon appeared as a celebrity correspondent for Years of Living Dangerously.
2015: Starred in The Martian
In 2015, Matt Damon starred as astronaut Mark Watney in Ridley Scott's The Martian, based on Andy Weir's novel of the same name.
2015: Promoted Stella Artois for Water.org
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: Reprised Role in Jason Bourne
In 2016, Matt Damon reprised his role in Jason Bourne, reuniting with Paul Greengrass, after not appearing in the fourth film of the series.
2017: Starred in The Great Wall, Suburbicon, and Downsizing
In 2017, Matt Damon starred in The Great Wall, Suburbicon, and Downsizing. The Great Wall was a hit internationally but was not well received by critics.
March 2018: Announced adoption of inclusion rider agreement
In March 2018, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck announced they would adopt the inclusion rider agreement in all future production deals with Pearl Street Films.
September 2018: Portrayed Brett Kavanaugh on Saturday Night Live
In September 2018, Matt Damon portrayed Brett Kavanaugh on Saturday Night Live.
2018: Super Bowl Commercial for Water.org and Stella Artois
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 of the United States' National Football League (NFL).
2019: Portrayed Carroll Shelby in Ford v Ferrari
In 2019, Matt Damon portrayed Carroll Shelby in the action biographical drama Ford v Ferrari.
October 2021: Partnership with Crypto.com
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. Damon also stated that he would donate 100% of the money he makes from the commercials to promote them, to Water.org.
2021: Starred in Stillwater and The Last Duel
In 2021, Matt Damon starred in Tom McCarthy's crime drama Stillwater and co-wrote and starred in The Last Duel alongside Ben Affleck. The Last Duel premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival.
2022: Founded Artists Equity
In 2022, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck formed the independent production company, Artists Equity, with a mission to give creators a larger stake in the financial success of their projects.
2023: Starred in Air and Oppenheimer
In 2023, Matt Damon starred as Sonny Vaccaro in Air, co-starring and directed by Ben Affleck, and played Leslie Groves in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Damon's role in Air earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination.
2024: Release of Atlas
In 2024, Artists Equity's next major project was the Jennifer Lopez-led science fiction film Atlas, which was released on Netflix.
2024: Starred in and Produced The Instigators
In 2024, Matt Damon starred in and produced The Instigators, alongside Casey Affleck, for Apple TV+.
July 30, 2025: Won $1 Million for Water.org on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
On July 30, 2025, Matt Damon competed alongside Ken Jennings on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, and won $1 million for Water.org.
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