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The Unending War: 5 Latest Battles In The Matt Damon Vs. Jimmy Kimmel Feud (Updated 2025)

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The comedic rivalry between Hollywood megastar Matt Damon and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel remains one of the most enduring and hilarious running gags in television history, and as of late 2024 and early 2025, the 'feud' shows no signs of slowing down. This satirical, decades-long battle, which began as an off-the-cuff joke, has evolved into an elaborate, multi-platform performance involving Damon's best friend Ben Affleck, Kimmel's sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, and even major awards shows, constantly providing fresh material for fans. The latest skirmishes include a million-dollar charity victory and a surprise appearance that brought a New York City week of shows to a chaotic close.

The core of the joke is simple: Kimmel "runs out of time" for the Oscar-winning actor, leaving him perpetually waiting in the wings. However, the complexity of their interactions—from Damon sneaking onto the set in disguise to Kimmel roasting him during the Academy Awards—has cemented their status as a legendary comedy duo. To fully appreciate the latest updates, which include Damon's triumphant charity win, it's essential to understand the men behind the mutual animosity and the true origin of their legendary on-screen hatred.

The Combatants: Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel Biography Profiles

The "feud" is a clash of two very different professional worlds: the polished, A-list movie star and the irreverent, quick-witted late-night satirist. Here are the essential details on the two main players in this comedy saga:

  • Matt Damon (The A-List Nemesis)
    • Full Name: Matthew Paige Damon
    • Born: October 8, 1970, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
    • Notable Career: Actor, Screenwriter, Producer. Co-wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting with Ben Affleck, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
    • Key Roles: Jason Bourne (The Bourne Identity), Mark Watney (The Martian), Linus Caldwell (Ocean's Eleven).
    • Feud Role: The perpetually snubbed, highly arrogant, and often disguised celebrity attempting to promote his projects on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
  • Jimmy Kimmel (The Late-Night Gatekeeper)
    • Full Name: James Christian Kimmel
    • Born: November 13, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
    • Notable Career: Television Host, Comedian, Producer. Host and executive producer of the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003.
    • Key Roles: Host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, host of the Academy Awards multiple times.
    • Feud Role: The smug, dismissive host who insists he has "run out of time" for his most famous guest, often using Damon as a punchline for his monologues.

The Origin Story: How "Apologies to Matt Damon" Became a TV Phenomenon

The iconic rivalry started not in a high-stakes Hollywood meeting, but as a completely random, off-the-cuff joke at the end of a disappointing show.

In 2005, during the third season of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel was frustrated with a particularly lackluster episode. To amuse a producer, he decided to end the show on a high note by saying, "Apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time." The actor was not actually scheduled to be a guest. The line was a complete improvisation, a throwaway joke that instantly got a big laugh from the crew.

The joke stuck. Kimmel began using the line regularly, and Damon, who loved the joke, eventually got in on the action. This led to the feud's escalation, moving from a simple verbal jab to elaborate, pre-taped skits and surprise appearances. Key moments that cemented the feud's legend include the 2008 viral video "I'm F***ing Matt Damon," featuring Kimmel's then-girlfriend Sarah Silverman, and the 2017 Oscars, where Kimmel led the orchestra to play Damon off the stage.

The Latest Battles: 5 Key Updates in the 2025 Damon-Kimmel Saga

The "feud" is an ever-evolving entity, constantly adapting to current events and Damon's latest film releases. Here are the five most recent and significant developments that keep the rivalry fresh and highly entertaining for audiences in 2025:

1. The Brooklyn Finale Crash (October 2024/Recent)

One of the most recent and public clashes occurred during Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s week of shows in Brooklyn, New York. As Kimmel was wrapping up the final show of the week, Matt Damon made a surprise, unannounced appearance, crashing the monologue. Damon, often disguised or accompanied by an accomplice, used the opportunity to mock Kimmel's attempt to celebrate the show's success in New York. The stunt reignited their decades-long fake feud on the late-night stage, proving that Damon will seize any opportunity to disrupt his nemesis's show.

2. The $1 Million 'Millionaire' Victory

In a major victory for Team Damon, the actor successfully defeated his rival in a high-stakes game show challenge. Damon teamed up with *Jeopardy!* champion Ken Jennings on a celebrity edition of *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire*. Much to Kimmel's public dismay, Damon and Jennings won the grand prize of $1 million. Damon immediately stuck it to Kimmel, celebrating the win as a definitive victory in their war. The prize money went to Damon's charity, Water.org, a humanitarian organization he co-founded.

3. Ben Affleck’s Continuing Role as the 'Feud Mediator'

Damon’s lifelong friend and creative partner, Ben Affleck, remains an indispensable third party in the rivalry. Affleck, who is a frequent and welcome guest on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, often attempts to sneak Damon onto the show or acts as a reluctant mediator. Most recently, during a period of uncertainty for late-night shows, Kimmel revealed that both Affleck and Damon offered to cover a week of his staff’s salaries, showcasing a genuine, albeit begrudging, camaraderie off-screen. This dynamic of Affleck being Kimmel's friend and Damon's partner adds a crucial layer of complexity and humor to the saga.

4. The Oscars and 'Air' Premiere Roast

The Academy Awards are a recurring battleground for the duo. When Kimmel hosted the Oscars, he made sure to continue his tradition of roasting Damon, often referencing the actor's film projects or his relationship with Affleck. Damon, in turn, has used promotional events for his movies, such as the premiere of *Air* (which he starred in and co-produced with Affleck), to fire back at Kimmel's latest insults. These public, televised exchanges ensure the feud stays in the cultural spotlight, moving beyond the late-night set and onto the global stage.

5. Guillermo Rodriguez’s Undying Loyalty

No discussion of the ongoing feud is complete without mentioning Guillermo Rodriguez, the beloved security guard and sidekick on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* Guillermo has become a key entity in the saga, often acting as Kimmel's loyal enforcer, tasked with preventing Damon from accessing the stage. Whether he is physically blocking Damon, making fun of his roles, or simply reiterating Kimmel’s "ran out of time" mantra, Guillermo’s involvement ensures that the feud maintains its central theme: Damon is simply not important enough to be a guest. His presence provides a continuous, comedic obstacle for the A-list star.

Topical Authority: Why the Damon-Kimmel Feud Endures

The Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel feud has lasted for nearly two decades, outliving many real celebrity rivalries. Its longevity is a testament to its genius as a piece of performance art. The joke works because it plays on the public's perception of Hollywood celebrity and late-night television. It’s a meta-commentary on the obligatory nature of celebrity talk show appearances, turning a routine interview into a highly anticipated, chaotic event.

The constant, fresh updates—like Damon's recent charity win and the Brooklyn crash—keep the narrative alive. By integrating real-life events (like the Oscars or a game show) and key figures (Ben Affleck, Sarah Silverman, Guillermo Rodriguez) into their fictional conflict, Damon and Kimmel have created a comedy institution that is both topical and timeless. As long as Matt Damon has a movie to promote, and Jimmy Kimmel has a show to host, the final words will always be: "Apologies to Matt Damon, we’ve run out of time."

matt damon jimmy kimmel
matt damon jimmy kimmel

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