Matt Damon in "The Bourne Ultimatum"
Matt Damon
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Young, talented and considerably genuine about his current fame status, Matt Damon is one of the more likeable entertainers in the industry. With huge blockbusters and an Oscar already behind him, Matt still continues to wear that same “good ole boy” smile on his face. He hasn’t forgotten how he climbed to the top either – dropping in for numerous directorial favors over the past few years. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1970, Matt immediately became involved with theater productions as a kid while studying at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School where he met childhood friend and current Hollywood partner Ben Affleck. Paying his dues early on as a film extra for local production shoots, Matt left for New York City at 16-years-old with only a paltry paycheck from a small commercial he has formerly appeared in. After landing a one-line role in the film “Mystic Pizza” - the same movie to launch Julia Roberts’ career – Matt continued to crawl through a number of big time productions (like “School Ties”) as a supporting actor, but he soon returned to education at his prestigious, hometown university of Harvard.
After stimulating his taste buds for an acting career although, Matt decidedly left school and began his long road to stardom with other supporting roles in “Courage Under Fire” and “Geronimo.” When Francis Ford Coppola finally gave the young actor a shot at the big leagues with a starring role in the Grisham book-to-film “The Rainmaker,” Matt instantly became the hot topic on the tongues of everyone in Hollywood. As Matt continued to build up come credibility in Tinsletown, he began work on shopping the script he co-wrote with Affleck to all the major studios. While they were only somewhat interested in the brilliant screenplay, the studios could not imagine the two, practical unknowns as the film’s stars, but after a number of edits, meetings and film appearances, Miramax finally caved in and purchased the script for half a million. The sleeper hit of 1997, “Good Will Hunting” received Oscar nominations for Best Actor (Damon), Best Supporting Actor (Robin Williams) and Best Original Screenplay, the latter two which won. Finally the talk of the town, Matt quickly became a recognizable face on screen with huge appearances in “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley” to name a few. Since 2000, Matt has gone from a rising star to an incredibly marketable actor able to carry a summer blockbuster on his own. With recent appearances in some of the biggest films of the years and an upcoming schedule of a few more, there seems to be nothing that Matt can't do.
Matt On The Web
Yahoo! Movies
Another biography complemented with premiere and awards show photos.
IMDB
A database of Matt's film career.
TV Guide: Matt Damon
Matt Damon Videos, Interviews and More on TV Guide's Online Video Guide
Matt Damon.com
"Unauthorized, unofficial and for the fans," this site features an ingenious biography and a snail mail contact address.
Matt Damon Fan Page
A awesome fan page that includes a collection of 18 magazine articles complete with covers and article photos, interviews, cartoons, photos and a few miscellaneous extras.
The Best Of
A decent fan site with its share of the usual goodies.
Fansitez
A fan's source for news, pictures and movie trailers.
Topix
The ultimate source for entertainment news on Matt.
Matt on the Screen
Matt Damon has become one of the hottest male actors in Hollywood over the past few years, but we really like the kid because he's genuine in his stumbling act to fame. Appearing mainly in supporting roles at first in films like "School Ties" and "Courage Under Fire," Matt also showed up in a few of Kevin Smith's earlier films - like "Chasing Amy" and "Clerks" - but also returned the favor to the indie director after hitting it big by starring with friend and Smith veteran Ben Affleck in "Dogma." Matt's major claim to fame came when he shared an Oscar with Affleck for the "Good Will Hunting" screenplay, in which they both stared, but had equally impressive performances in Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan." Along with starring in smaller, genre films like "Rounders" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley," Matt became an international star with "Ocean's Eleven" and "The Bourne Identity" (the most rented movie of that year), and also showed up in a hilarious cameo in 2003's "Eurotrip."
Latest Buzz
Matt wraps up his second trilogy of year with the third installment in the "Bourne" series, while two films are currently scheduled to open by the end of 2007: "Margaret" and the Francis Ford Coppola-directed "Youth Without Youth." Also on the A-list star's upcoming slate is the Paul Greengrass war drama, "Impreial Life in the Emeral City," and the Darren Aronofsky film, "The Fighter," alongside Mark Wahlberg.
Words from a Pretty Boy Genius
On his long stroll to fame:
"A few years ago, I would have told you that it should have happened for me then. But I'm glad it happened this way. It does give me more perspective. I'd like to think that way, anyway."
On why he took the role in "Saving Private Ryan":
"It was offered to me. When Spielberg says jump, bitches say how high?"
Moviehole
Flicks
E! Online Q & A
Studio LA
Paul Fischer Interviews