5 Decades, 2 Legends: The Complete Timeline Of The Jimmy Kimmel And Matt Damon ‘Feud’—And What Happened Last Night

The question of whether Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon genuinely dislike each other is one of the longest-running, most successful comedy bits in modern late-night television history. As of this week, December 12, 2025, the faux-feud remains fiercely "alive," continuing to evolve with surprise appearances, escalating pranks, and a genuine friendship that underpins the entire, decades-long rivalry. The truth is they are close friends, but their commitment to the gag has created an enduring, hilarious narrative that fans and media outlets continue to track with dedicated interest. The legendary "feud" is a masterclass in comedic timing and celebrity commitment, a brilliant piece of performance art that has spanned over twenty years, generating countless viral moments and cementing both men's places in pop culture lore. It is a testament to their friendship that they have maintained the illusion for so long, making the simple act of Matt Damon appearing on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* one of the most anticipated events in late-night TV.

The Players: A Dual Biography Profile

The success of the Damon-Kimmel rivalry lies in the stark contrast and surprising synergy between the two men—one a major Hollywood star and the other a late-night talk show host.

Jimmy Kimmel: The Late-Night Instigator

• Full Name: James Christian Kimmel
• Born: November 13, 1967 (Brooklyn, New York)
• Career: Television Host, Comedian, Writer, Producer
• Notable Works: Host and Executive Producer of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* (since 2003), Host of the Academy Awards (multiple times), *The Man Show* (co-host).
• Career Highlight: Established himself as a prominent voice in late-night, known for his signature monologue and heartfelt, politically relevant segments.
• Feud Role: The long-suffering host who is constantly "running out of time" for his A-list guest, or the one being ruthlessly pranked.

Matt Damon: The Hollywood Saboteur

• Full Name: Matthew Paige Damon
• Born: October 8, 1970 (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
• Career: Actor, Screenwriter, Producer
• Notable Works: *Good Will Hunting* (Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay), *The Bourne Identity* franchise, *The Martian*, *Ocean's Eleven*, *Oppenheimer*.
• Career Highlight: A highly acclaimed, Oscar-winning actor known for his versatility in both blockbusters and critically acclaimed dramas.
• Feud Role: The perpetually shunned, yet eternally persistent, A-list actor who is desperate to be a guest on the show.

The Origin Story: How a Throwaway Joke Created a 20-Year Rivalry

The famous Damon-Kimmel feud, which is entirely fabricated for comedic purposes, began with a moment of pure, unscripted exhaustion. The joke's brilliance is its simplicity and consistency.

The Apology That Started It All (2005)

The entire gag originated in 2005 during the third season of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*. Kimmel was hosting a particularly disappointing show, and his team was struggling to book high-profile guests. To amuse a producer, Kimmel decided to end the show with an off-the-cuff, sarcastic sign-off. The line: "Apologies to Matt Damon, but we ran out of time." Damon later revealed that he didn't even know Kimmel personally when the joke first started, which only added to the absurdity and effectiveness of the bit. The joke became a nightly tradition, and the audience reaction was immediate and positive.

The First Major Escalation: "I'm F*cking Matt Damon" (2008)

The "feud" exploded into a global viral sensation in 2008 when Kimmel’s then-girlfriend, comedian Sarah Silverman, appeared on the show. She presented a video where she sang the now-iconic song, "I'm F*cking Matt Damon". The video featured a full-scale production with cameos from Hollywood heavyweights, including Ben Affleck, Brad Pitt, and Harrison Ford, all confirming the (fake) affair. This segment was a watershed moment, taking the rivalry from a simple late-night sign-off to a major, pre-planned comedic event that involved other celebrities. Kimmel retaliated with his own star-studded video, "F*ckin' Ben Affleck," featuring an equally impressive cast.

The Most Legendary Battles in the Faux-Feud Timeline

Over the past two decades, the rivalry has produced countless memorable moments, often involving Damon attempting to sneak onto the show or Kimmel using the actor as a punchline. These moments are key to the longevity and topical authority of the gag.

The Great Water Torture Incident (2013)

Following Kimmel's hosting of the 2013 Academy Awards, a frustrated Matt Damon was dragged onto the stage and subjected to "water torture" by the host, further cementing his role as the perpetually excluded celebrity.

The Therapist's Office and the Shared Commercial (2016)

The two men appeared in a segment together, seemingly in therapy to resolve their issues, only for the session to devolve into mutual insults. They also famously appeared in a commercial for a home-sharing company, where they played feuding neighbors who had to share a house.

The Ben Affleck Connection

Damon’s best friend, Ben Affleck, is often the third player in the feud, frequently acting as a reluctant mediator or, more often, a co-conspirator. Affleck has famously smuggled Damon onto the show, hidden under his coat or in various disguises, only for Kimmel to inevitably discover and dismiss him. Affleck's involvement adds a layer of complexity and a constant source of material, leveraging the real-life *Good Will Hunting* partnership.

Recent Developments: The Feud is Fresher Than Ever in 2025

Despite the joke being over 20 years old, Kimmel and Damon continue to find new and creative ways to keep the rivalry current, proving the bit is far from stale.

The WGA Strike Solidarity (2023/2024)

During the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, Damon and Ben Affleck reportedly reached out to Kimmel with a genuine offer to pay his staffers so they wouldn't suffer financially during the work stoppage. While a serious act of solidarity, Kimmel naturally spun the story into a joke, comparing the situation to his ongoing feud with Damon. This demonstrated that their real-life actions are often fodder for the on-air narrative.

The Brooklyn Finale Crash (Late 2024)

When *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* taped a series of shows in Brooklyn, New York, Matt Damon made a surprise appearance on the final night. Damon "made it on the show" by disguising himself as "Frankie Focus," the new official mascot of New York City. He crashed Kimmel's monologue, only to be unmasked and dismissed, reigniting the 23-year-old fake feud in a new location. He even joked that he was a "big fan" of Kimmel's temporary suspension the previous month.

The Choking Incident Story (2025)

In a recent, unexpected twist, Kimmel recounted a story where he allegedly saved Matt Damon's life. Kimmel claimed that despite their long-standing animosity, he had to perform the Heimlich maneuver on Damon after the actor started choking on a dinner Kimmel had prepared. This story, whether entirely true or embellished for comedy, adds a hilarious layer of reluctant heroism to Kimmel's character and further proves that their relationship is one of complex, antagonistic friendship.

The Enduring Legacy of an Iconic Friendship

The question, "Do Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon actually hate each other?" is definitively answered: No, they do not. The "feud" is one of the most successful, sustained comedic collaborations in Hollywood history. It functions as an inside joke that the entire world is in on, and its longevity is a testament to the commitment of both men to the bit. Every time Matt Damon appears on the show, or is mentioned, it generates buzz, proving the comedic gold still flows. It’s a brilliant marketing tool for both their careers, a consistent source of topical content, and a reminder that behind the velvet rope of celebrity, sometimes the best material comes from the simplest, most enduring friendships. As long as *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* is on the air, fans can rest assured that Matt Damon will continue to be told, with a wink and a smile, that they have run out of time.