The so-called “feud” between Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon is not real; it’s one of the longest-running and most celebrated gags in late-night television history.
In reality, the two are good friends who have simply committed to a very long-term bit.
The Origin of the “Feud”
The joke began on a whim in 2005. At the end of a particularly bad episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel, feeling disappointed with the show, decided to make a throwaway joke to amuse a producer. He closed the show with the line, “Apologies to Matt Damon, but we ran out of time.”
At the time, Kimmel and Damon had never even met. Kimmel later explained that he chose Damon’s name because he was the biggest celebrity he could think of whom he would never actually have on the show. The line got a laugh, so Kimmel kept using it as a running gag to end his show every night.
How the Joke Escalated
The gag took on a life of its own when Matt Damon got involved. Some of the most memorable moments in the “feud” include:
The First “Appearance”:
- Damon finally came on the show, but as soon as he sat down, Kimmel cut him off and ended the episode. Damon then went on a profanity-laced rant and stormed off the set.
“I’m F**king Matt Damon”:
- In what is arguably the most famous part of the feud, Kimmel’s then-girlfriend, comedian Sarah Silverman, appeared on the show and revealed she was “f**king Matt Damon” in a highly produced, Emmy-winning music video.
The Kimmel Takeover:
- Damon later turned the tables by “taking over” Kimmel’s show, duct-taping him to a chair, and hosting the show himself.
The Oscars:
- When Kimmel hosted the Academy Awards, he repeatedly took jabs at Damon, even using his hosting platform to mock his movies and his performance.
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🎬 Why It Works
It’s believable enough that people question whether it’s real.
The commitment from both actors is unmatched.
It became a defining gimmick of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
✅ Summary
Started as a joke apology: “We ran out of time for Matt Damon.”
Evolved into a long-running gag spanning decades
Fueled by viral videos, fake anger, celebrity cameos.
Still going strong, with both men playing it up for laughs.
Over the years, other celebrities like Ben Affleck and Tom Brady have gotten in on the joke, helping to keep the gag going. The “feud” has been a source of countless hilarious moments, and both Kimmel and Damon have acknowledged that it’s all in good fun and that they are genuinely friends.
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