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, he has garnered significant acclaim. His accolades include 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 status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
1969: Release of True Grit
In 2010, Matt Damon appeared in the Coen brothers' remake of the 1969 John Wayne-starring Western True Grit.
September 12, 2006: Planned Skit on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
On September 12, 2006, Matt Damon stormed off Jimmy Kimmel Live! after having his interview cut short, as part of a planned skit related to a running gag on the show.
July 25, 2007: Damon Receives Star on 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 be honored with the recognition.
August 2007: Most Bankable Star According to Forbes
In August 2007, Forbes declared Matt Damon the most bankable star, with his recent films averaging a $29 return for every dollar earned. Ocean's Thirteen and The Bourne Ultimatum, both released in 2007, grossed over $300 million each.
2008: Che Guevara Biopic and Book Publication
In 2008, Matt Damon had a cameo in the Che Guevara biopic Che. In 2008, John Carlin's book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation, which served as the basis for the film Invictus, was published.
2008: Financial Crisis
In 2010, Matt Damon narrated Inside Job, a documentary film about the effects of financial deregulation in the 2008 financial crisis.
August 2009: US Release of Ponyo and Work in Invictus
In August 2009, Matt Damon lent his voice to the English version of the animated film Ponyo. Also in 2009, he starred as François Pienaar in the film Invictus.
2009: Merger to form Water.org
In 2009, the H2O Africa Foundation, the charitable arm of the Running the Sahara expedition, which Matt Damon founded, merged with WaterPartners to create Water.org.
March 2010: Formation of Pearl Street Films
In March 2010, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck established Pearl Street Films, a production company based at Warner Bros.
2010: One of the Highest-Grossing Actors of All Time
In 2010, Matt Damon ranked as one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, securing the 37th position.
2011: Starred in The Adjustment Bureau, Contagion, and We Bought a Zoo
In 2011, Matt Damon starred in The Adjustment Bureau, Contagion, and We Bought a Zoo. He also voiced a krill named Bill in the animated film Happy Feet Two. That same year, the documentary he narrated, American Teacher, opened in New York before national screening.
2011: Water.org Receives Grant from PepsiCo Foundation
In 2011, Water.org received an $8 million grant from the PepsiCo Foundation to scale up WaterCredit in India. Matt Damon promoted these 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 to charity. Also in 2012, he filmed Promised Land, which he co-wrote with John Krasinski.
2012: Damon Hosts Fundraiser for Elizabeth Warren
In 2012, Matt Damon, along with Ben Affleck and John Krasinski, hosted a fundraiser for Democratic Senate nominee Elizabeth Warren, demonstrating his support for the Democratic Party.
January 24, 2013: Took over Jimmy Kimmel Live!
On January 24, 2013, Matt Damon took over Jimmy Kimmel's show and mentioned the long-standing feud.
May 26, 2013: HBO Premiere of Behind the Candelabra
On May 26, 2013, Behind the Candelabra, starring Matt Damon as Scott Thorson and Michael Douglas as Liberace, premiered on HBO.
2013: Starring Roles in Science Fiction Films and Commercial
In 2013, Matt Damon starred in the science fiction film Elysium and also appeared in The Zero Theorem. In 2013, he appeared in a Nespresso advertisement and provided voiceover for United Airlines' "Fly the Friendly Skies" ad campaign.
2014: Roles in The Monuments Men and Interstellar
In 2014, Matt Damon starred in The Monuments Men and played Dr. Mann in Interstellar. He also appeared as a celebrity correspondent for Years of Living Dangerously.
2015: Lead Role in The Martian
In 2015, Matt Damon starred as astronaut Mark Watney in Ridley Scott's The Martian, based on Andy Weir's novel, earning him a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination.
2015: Promotion of Stella Artois Beer as a Water.org Partner
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.
2016: Damon Endorses Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Matt Damon publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton in the presidential election, solidifying his support for the Democratic Party.
2016: Reprising Role in Jason Bourne
In 2016, Matt Damon reprised his role as Jason Bourne in the film Jason Bourne, reuniting with director Paul Greengrass.
2017: Lead Role in The Great Wall and Other Films
In 2017, Matt Damon played the lead role in The Great Wall. Later in 2017, he starred in Suburbicon and Downsizing.
March 2018: Damon and Affleck Adopt Inclusion Rider
In March 2018, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck announced that Pearl Street Films would adopt the inclusion rider agreement in all future production deals.
September 2018: Portrayal of Brett Kavanaugh on Saturday Night Live
In September 2018, Matt Damon portrayed jurist 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: Portrayal of 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 partnership with Crypto.com, under which Crypto.com was to make a $1 million donation to Water.org, and Damon gives 100% of what he makes from promoting them to Water.org.
2021: Starring roles in Stillwater and The Last Duel
In 2021, Matt Damon starred in Tom McCarthy's crime drama Stillwater and the historical drama The Last Duel, which he co-wrote alongside Ben Affleck. The Last Duel premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival.
January 2022: Widespread Broadcast and Criticism of Crypto.com Commercial
In January 2022, Matt Damon's Crypto.com commercial started airing on television, sparking criticism for comparing cryptocurrency trading to mankind's greatest achievements.
2022: Formation of Artists Equity
In 2022, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck formed their independent production company, Artists Equity.
2023: Starring in Air and Oppenheimer
In 2023, Matt Damon starred as Sonny Vaccaro in Air, a drama about the launch of Air Jordan, co-starring and directed by Ben Affleck. He also reunited with Christopher Nolan in Oppenheimer, playing Leslie Groves. It marked the first release from Artists Equity, which they formed in 2022.
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 in an episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, winning $1 million for Water.org.
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