The Hilarious Truth: 5 Ways Matt Damon And Jimmy Kimmel Prove Their 'Feud' Is The Best Fake Rivalry In Hollywood

The question of whether Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel are actually friends or genuine enemies is one of Hollywood's longest-running and most entertaining mysteries. For nearly two decades, the late-night host and the Oscar-winning actor have maintained a highly public, often aggressive, and endlessly funny "feud" that has become a staple of American television, but the truth, as of today, December 18, 2025, is far more heartwarming than the insults they trade.

Despite Kimmel's relentless jokes about running out of time for the star of *The Bourne Identity* and Damon's attempts to crash the set of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, the reality is that their rivalry is entirely satirical. The two men are genuinely good friends who have simply committed to the bit for the sake of comedy, creating a spectacular, self-aware spectacle that continues to generate fresh material, including their latest jabs at the 2024 Oscars and Damon's surprise appearance on *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire*.

The Complete Biography of the 'Rivals'

To fully appreciate the scope of this decades-long comedic performance, it is helpful to look at the professional profiles of the two main players.

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Matt Damon (The Actor)

• Full Name: Matthew Paige Damon
• Born: October 8, 1970 (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
• Occupation: Actor, Producer, Screenwriter
• Key Awards: Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay for *Good Will Hunting*), Golden Globe Awards
• Notable Films: *Good Will Hunting*, *The Bourne* franchise, *The Martian*, *Oppenheimer*, *Air*
• Connection to Kimmel: The target of Kimmel's nightly joke since 2005.

Jimmy Kimmel (The Host)

• Full Name: James Christian Kimmel
• Born: November 13, 1967 (Brooklyn, New York)
• Occupation: Talk Show Host, Comedian, Producer
• Key Shows: *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* (since 2003), *The Man Show*, Host of the Academy Awards (multiple times)
• Connection to Damon: The originator and chief antagonist of the satirical feud.

1. The Accidental Origin of Hollywood's Longest-Running Joke

The legendary Damon-Kimmel feud began with a moment of pure, unscripted exhaustion. It was 2005, during the third season of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*. Kimmel, feeling pressure to wrap up an episode quickly, spontaneously decided to end the show with a joke.

He ad-libbed the line, "Apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time". The joke, according to Kimmel, was intended to be a throwaway line to amuse a producer named Kevin who was constantly rushing him. The irony was that Matt Damon was, at the time, arguably too famous to appear on a late-night show, making the apology even funnier.

The line stuck. Kimmel started using it every night, and what began as a random, internal joke quickly became a signature closing line for the show. Damon, upon hearing about it, found it hilarious. This accidental, off-the-cuff moment laid the groundwork for a comedic partnership that would span over two decades and involve dozens of A-list celebrities.

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2. The Viral Escalation: The Sarah Silverman & Ben Affleck Era

The rivalry truly exploded into the cultural zeitgeist when it moved beyond a simple closing line and became a series of elaborate, high-production-value sketches.

The first major escalation occurred in 2008 when Kimmel's then-girlfriend, comedian Sarah Silverman, appeared on the show and presented a video titled "I'm F*cking Matt Damon". The video, a musical number featuring Damon and Silverman, was a blockbuster viral hit that perfectly weaponized the fake feud. Silverman had to keep the entire production a secret from Kimmel, adding a layer of meta-comedy to their real-life relationship.

Kimmel, of course, had to retaliate. In 2009, he responded with his own star-studded video, "I'm F*cking Ben Affleck," featuring Damon's best friend and frequent collaborator, Ben Affleck. This video also included cameos from a host of stars, including Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, Robin Williams, and Cameron Diaz, cementing the feud as an industry-wide running gag. The involvement of Affleck, Damon's childhood friend from Boston, added a brilliant, personal touch to the ongoing theatrical rivalry.

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This period established the key dynamic: Damon and Kimmel are not just feuding; they are using their celebrity connections to one-up each other, turning their "hatred" into collaborative comedy gold.

3. The 2024 Updates: Oscars Roasts and Million-Dollar Wins

The longevity of the feud is proven by its continued relevance in recent, high-profile events. The year 2024 offered fresh material, confirming that the bit is far from over.

• The 2024 Oscars Roast: When Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 96th Academy Awards, he couldn't resist taking a shot at his nemesis. During the ceremony, Kimmel joked that he was "thrilled" Damon might not attend, keeping the rivalry alive on the biggest night in Hollywood.
• The 'Air' Peacemaker: During the promotional tour for the 2023 film *Air*, which Damon starred in and Affleck directed, Affleck repeatedly tried to act as a "peacemaker." When Affleck appeared on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, he successfully orchestrated a video call with Damon, which Kimmel begrudgingly allowed as a "belated wedding gift" to Affleck. This moment proved that Affleck remains the crucial third entity in the feud's ecosystem.
• The $1 Million Victory: In one of the most recent and satisfying twists for Damon fans, the actor appeared on the celebrity edition of *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire*, hosted by Kimmel. Damon, teamed up with *Jeopardy!* host Ken Jennings, successfully won the $1 million prize, which he donated to his charity, Water.org. The victory was a comedic defeat for Kimmel, who had to watch his rival succeed on his own show, further cementing the friendly-rivalry narrative.

These recent interactions—from the Oscars stage to the *Millionaire* set—demonstrate that the "feud" is an ever-evolving, living piece of performance art. Damon and Kimmel are not just actors; they are committed comedic partners.

4. The Ultimate Conclusion: Are They Really Friends?

Yes, Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel are genuinely good friends. The entire feud is an elaborate, long-running satirical public feud.

The core of their relationship is based on mutual respect and a shared sense of humor. They use the platform of late-night television to perform a character-driven rivalry that benefits both of their careers and, more importantly, entertains millions of viewers.

The joke has become a legendary part of pop culture, a testament to their dedication to the bit. It allows Damon to make surprise appearances, like when he crashed Kimmel's monologue in October 2024 dressed in a green mascot costume known as Frankie Focus, or when he was snuck onto the set in a giant cake.

The entities and LSI keywords that define this relationship—including Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ben Affleck, Sarah Silverman, Water.org, The Bourne Ultimatum, Good Will Hunting, and the 2024 Oscars—are all connected by this single, beautiful, and completely fake rivalry that has defined their public personas for a generation.