Matt Damon has cemented himself as one of the most recognizable and passionate actors of his generation. To celebrate his birthday, Variety is ranking his best film performances.
Getting his early start and breaking through with small, cameo roles in movies such as “Mystic Pizza” (1988) and the prep-school drama “School Ties” (1992), it was his role as Will Hunting, a young mathematics genius who is a janitor at Harvard University, where Damon also attended, that launched him to stardom. Co-writing the drama with his best friend Ben Affleck, the Gus Van Sant-directed film was a box office success, grossing over $225 million against a $10 million budget. In addition, the film won two Academy Awards — supporting actor for Robin Williams (one of the best Oscar moments in history) and original screenplay. At 27 (Damon) and 25 (Affleck), they were the youngest winners of the category’s history.
Damon has had an impressive awards run over his career, finding five total Oscar nominations over four separate categories. In addition to his double Oscar noms for “Good Will Hunting” in actor and screenplay, he was recognized by the Academy in supporting actor for “Invictus” (2009), another lead mention for “The Martian” (2015) and as a producer for “Manchester by the Sea” (2016), which won original screenplay for Kenneth Lonergan and actor for Casey Affleck.
This year, he’s already turned in one of his best career performances in Tom McCarthy’s “Stillwater,” an outing that’s received mixed reception but one that distributor Focus Features hopes to make some waves on the awards circuit. “Stillwater” was the first film to hold an Oscars FYC special screening in the summer at the Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles, which presented an excellent turnout.
Damon has also re-teamed with his childhood BFF Affleck to co-write “The Last Duel” with Oscar-nominated scribe Nicole Holofcener. The Ridley Scott-directed epic stars Damon as Sir Jean de Carrouges, a man who challenges Jacques Le Gris (played by Adam Driver) to a duel after being accused of raping his wife (played exquisitely by Jodie Comer). Affleck plays Count Pierre d’Alençon.
This list focuses on his theatrical run performances; otherwise, you’d likely see his unforgettable turn as Scott Thorson in Steven Soderbergh’s HBO movie, “Behind the Candelabra,” for which he received an Emmy nomination for best actor.
Honorable mentions: “Interstellar” (2014), “Margaret” (2011), “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001), and of course, “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017)
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"Invictus" (2009)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros./Everett Collection Role: Francois Pienaar
Distributed by: Warner Bros
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Written by: Anthony PeckhamThe scene that proves it: “I think he wants us to win the World Cup.“
Clint Eastwood’s biopic about Nelson Mandela (portrayed by Morgan Freeman) may not have aged gracefully, but Damon’s craft of a South African accent and ability to elevate the script, really does stand out in the flick. He was nominated for supporting actor at the Oscars, along with Freeman in lead, which depending on your mileage of that respective year, may or may not have warranted. Either way, he’s not the problem with the movie.
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"Saving Private Ryan" (1998)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Ronald Grant Archive/Mary Evan/Everett Collection/Paramount Role: Private First Class James Francis Ryan
Distributed by: DreamWorks Pictures
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Robert RodatThe scene that proves it: “Tell her when you found me, I was here, and I was with the only brothers I have left.“
A sprawling epic that has Tom Hanks and his platoon looking for the surviving soldiers in World War II is, and will always be, one of the best films of the 1990s. Damon’s final reveal at the end, learning the truth about his brothers and receiving the “earn this” line from Hanks, which bleeds beautifully to an older version portrayed by Harrison Young, is another example of his ability to connect with not just cinephiles but casual movie-goers.
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"The Martian" (2015)
Image Credit: Giles Keyte/20th Century Fox/Gen Role: Mark Watney
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Drew GoddardThe scene that proves it: “Creating water.“
Landing an Oscar nomination after missing out on a SAG Award nom, Damon won the Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy or musical for the light (but still NOT funny) outing from Ridley Scott. His abandoned and stranded astronaut has him stretching his abilities far beyond what we thought he could initially do, garnering tons of love from critics and audiences. The creation of water has never felt so cool.
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"The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Universal/Everett Collection Role: Jason Bourne
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Written by: Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns, George NolfiThe scene that proves it: “If you were in your office right now we’d be having this conversation face to face.“
Damon’s walk into an action star may be hit or miss, but the first three Jason Bourne movies had him operating on all cylinders. His peak is in the third entry that won three Oscars for film editing, sound mixing and sound editing. It has him doing all the kickass things we always knew he could do. Jimmy Kimmel would be proud…maybe.
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"Dogma" (1999)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Miramax/Everett Collection Role: Loki
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Directed by: Kevin Smith
Written by: Kevin SmithThe scene that proves it: “Opening scene.“
Hilarious and just so much fun, his angel from heaven opposite Ben Affleck is not just funny, but even at times remarkable, shown in the opening scene of him converting a nun. Not awards worthy, but this film is a must-see if walking down the avenue of the drunken Earth walker who is betrayed by his best pal.
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"True Grit" (2010)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Paramount/Everett Collection Role: Texas Ranger LaBoeuf
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Directed by: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Written by: Joel Coen and Ethan CoenThe scene that proves it: “Shooting contest.“
Another turn that has grown in estimation after its initial viewing, his scene-stealing turn opposite Jeff Bridges in the Coen Brothers remake gets the biggest chuckles and adds powerful execution of Oscar-nominee Hailee Steinfeld. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, it’s a worthy rewatch if you have time.
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"The Departed" (2006)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros./Everett Collection Role: Staff Sergeant Colin Sullivan
Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written by: William MonahanThe scene that proves it: “Just kill me.“
Sleazy, cunning but also a sloppy crooked cop, Damon gets the audience to despise every essence of his being in Martin Scorsese’s best picture winner. The effectiveness of the result of the elevator scene is heightened by the hard work he does, with the help of the dynamite William Monahan script, and sensational performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg and Vera Farmiga.
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"Stillwater" (2021)
Image Credit: Courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES Role: Bill Baker
Distributed by: Focus Features
Directed by: Tom McCarthy
Written by: Tom McCarthy, Marcus Hinchey, Thomas Bidegain, Noé DebréThe scene that proves it: “It looks different. ”
A divisive interpretation in this divided time in America, Damon offers an interesting insight to flyover country as he tries to prove his daughter’s innocence (played by Oscar-nominee Abigail Breslin). His chemistry with one of Variety’s 10 actors to watch Camille Cottin also adds to the brevity of the performance. He could be in the Oscar conversation this year with a summer release date, but the category seems stacked.
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“The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1999)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Everett Role: Tom Ripley
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Directed by: Anthony Minghella
Written by: Anthony MinghellaThe scene that proves it: “Fake somebody, than a real nobody.”
This has been creeping up the list of the finest Matt Damon efforts for years, and in due time could be considered his best outing, especially given that the Academy ignored the masterclass performance. With added charisma with nominee Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and a staredown to be remembered with the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, he owns every part of this maniacal and clever identity thief.
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"Good Will Hunting" (1997)
Image Credit: Programme Role: Will Hunting
Distributed by: Miramax Films
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Written by: Ben Affleck, Matt DamonThe scene that proves it: “It’s not your fault.“
The boy genius from Southie who has a broken childhood made us fall in love with Damon. Earning an Oscar nomination for best actor, he is surrounded by an impeccable ensemble, including Robin Williams in his Oscar-winning role, nominee Minnie Driver and his fellow original screenplay-winning counterpart Ben Affleck. It still stands as his finest acting moment to date.