History of Matt Damon in Timeline

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Matt Damon

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.

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1996: Weinstein Harasses Gwyneth Paltrow

In 1996, according to a story Matt Damon heard from Ben Affleck, Harvey Weinstein harassed Gwyneth Paltrow, a co-worker on a feature film.

1998: Eliminated from the World Series of Poker

In 1998, Matt Damon was eliminated from the World Series of Poker (WSOP) by poker professional Doyle Brunson.

January 2003: Damon Expresses Support for Gun Control

In January 2003, Matt Damon expressed his support for gun control, stating, "I actually hate guns. They freak me out," during an interview with the Sunday Herald.

April 2003: Meeting Luciana Bozán

In April 2003, Matt Damon met his future wife, Luciana Bozán, while filming Stuck on You in Miami.

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2003: Use of Derogatory Term in Movie Dialogue

As recently as 2003, Matt Damon acknowledged that the derogatory term he used was part of a dialogue in one of his movies.

September 2005: Engagement to Luciana Bozán

In September 2005, Matt Damon and Luciana Bozán became engaged.

December 9, 2005: Marriage to Luciana Bozán

On December 9, 2005, Matt Damon married Luciana Bozán in a private civil ceremony at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau.

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.

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December 2006: Damon Discusses Iraq War Inequities

In December 2006, Matt Damon appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthews, where he voiced his concerns regarding the inequalities in the assignment of military responsibilities across different socioeconomic classes during the Iraq War.

2006: Birth of First Daughter

In 2006, Matt Damon and Luciana Bozán had their first daughter.

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.

2007: Narration of Boston Red Sox Commemorative DVD

After the Boston Red Sox won the 2007 World Series, Matt Damon narrated the commemorative DVD release of the event.

2008: Birth of Second Daughter

In 2008, Matt Damon and Luciana Bozán had their second daughter.

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.

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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.

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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: Birth of Third Daughter

In 2010, Matt Damon and Luciana Bozán had their third daughter.

2010: Competed in the World Series of Poker Main Event

In 2010, Matt Damon competed in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event.

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.

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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.

2012: Moved to Pacific Palisades

Since 2012, Matt Damon and his family have resided in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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December 2017: Damon Advocates "Spectrum of Behavior" Analysis

In December 2017, Matt Damon advocated for a "spectrum of behavior" analysis of sexual misconduct cases, which was met with criticism and deemed "tone-deaf" by prominent members of the Me Too movement and the public.

December 2017: Damon Comments on Me Too Movement

In December 2017, Matt Damon made a series of comments about the Me Too movement, advocating for a "spectrum of behavior" analysis of sexual misconduct cases, which sparked controversy and offense.

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.

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January 17, 2018: Damon Apologizes for Social Commentary

On January 17, 2018, Matt Damon apologized on The Today Show for his previous social commentary on the Me Too movement, stating he "should get in the back seat and close my mouth for a while".

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: Purchase of Brooklyn Heights Penthouse

In 2018, Matt Damon bought a luxury penthouse in New York City's Brooklyn Heights neighborhood for $16.5 million.

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.

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August 2021: Damon Sparks Controversy Over Use of Derogatory Term

In August 2021, Matt Damon sparked controversy after revealing in an interview with The Sunday Times that he had recently stopped using a derogatory term, sparking a discussion with his daughter about its harmful impact.

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.

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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.

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2024: Starred in and produced The Instigators

In 2024, Matt Damon starred in and produced The Instigators, alongside Casey Affleck, for Apple TV+.

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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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