The Enduring Saga Of Jimmy Kimmel And Matt Damon: A Feud For The Ages (That's Totally Fake!)

Jakob Muller 13 Jul 2025

Hollywood is a place often defined by its rivalries, whether they're genuine clashes of ego, competitive box office battles, or the playful jabs between late-night hosts. We’ve seen many "Late Night Wars" throughout television history, but there's another kind of war that's a little harder to explain, yet undeniably more entertaining: the one between "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" host Jimmy Kimmel and Academy Award-winning actor Matt Damon.

For almost 20 years now, Hollywood superstar Matt Damon and TV host Jimmy Kimmel have been locked in a bitter feud. But here’s the kicker: it’s entirely, wonderfully fake. The infamous feud between Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon may technically be fake, but that doesn't make it any less entertaining. It’s a masterclass in comedic commitment, a running gag that has transcended its origins to become one of Hollywood’s longest-running jokes and most famous ongoing fake feuds.

The Unlikely Beginning: How a Joke Became a Legacy

A Spontaneous Spark in 2003

Like many legendary stories, this one started quite spontaneously. The iconic feud between Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon has been one of Hollywood’s longest-running jokes. It all began in 2003, during Season 3 of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" At the time, the show was struggling a bit with its ratings, and Kimmel, in a moment of playful desperation, decided to end an episode with a throwaway line: “Apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time.”

This seemingly innocuous, off-the-cuff remark was never meant to be anything more than a one-off joke. In a July interview with SiriusXM, Matt Damon opened up about the decades-long feud between him and Jimmy Kimmel and revealed in the process that it seemingly came out of nowhere. "Nobody..." Damon started, indicating its unplanned nature. The line was simply a way to playfully annoy his show’s producer. However, the audience reaction was surprisingly positive, and Kimmel, ever the showman, decided to keep it going. What started as a spontaneous joke quickly turned into a recurring segment, laying the groundwork for a pretend rivalry that would last for decades.

The Sarah Silverman Connection: "I'm F***ing Matt Damon"

While Kimmel’s nightly apology was the seed, the feud truly blossomed into a pop culture phenomenon with a viral video in 2008. This was thanks in large part to Sarah Silverman, Kimmel’s then-girlfriend. Silverman, a comedian in her own right, created a music video titled "I'm F***ing Matt Damon" for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The video featured Silverman singing about her supposed affair with Damon, complete with a cameo from the actor himself, looking utterly smitten.

Silverman said the idea came from "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" writers Tony Barbieri and Sal Iacono, Kimmel’s cousin. While touring in Miami, where Matt Damon lived, she arranged to film the segment. "[Damon] came in and learned it in a..." Silverman explained, highlighting Damon's willingness to commit to the bit. The video was a massive hit, garnering millions of views and solidifying the "feud" in the public's imagination. It was a hilarious, over-the-top escalation that proved both Kimmel and Damon were willing to go to great lengths for a laugh, even at their own expense.

The Art of Perpetual Trolling: Keeping the "Beef" Alive

What makes the Kimmel-Damon feud so remarkable is its longevity and the consistent effort both stars put into maintaining the illusion. This isn't a one-sided joke; it's a mutual trolling, a long-standing frenemy relationship that has evolved over the years.

Kimmel's Nightly Jab

The A-list actor has been the butt of a joke on Kimmel’s late night show for around two decades. Every night, Kimmel jokes that Damon’s guest appearance on the show was cut due to lack of time. This simple, consistent gag serves as a constant reminder of their "beef," ensuring that even new viewers quickly catch on to the running joke. It's a testament to Kimmel's dedication to the bit, making it an integral part of his show's identity.

Oscar Night Roasts and Public Appearances

The feud reached new heights when Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Academy Awards. When JimKim hosted the Oscars in 2017, he took it as his moment to really roast Damon. Kimmel famously tormented Damon throughout the ceremony, even orchestrating a moment where Damon was 'played off' the stage by the orchestra during a presentation. This public, high-profile trolling cemented the feud's status as a Hollywood institution.

Despite the on-screen animosity, their real-life friendship occasionally shines through, adding another layer of humor. For instance, Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel were seen attending a World Series game together in 2018. Jerritt Clark/Getty images captured the moment, proving that behind the cameras, their relationship is far from hostile.

Damon's Playful Retaliation

Matt Damon has gotten Jimmy Kimmel back plenty of times. Although Jimmy's apology to Matt started their pretend feud, the Good Will Hunting star has enjoyed playing along. Damon has appeared on Kimmel's show, often sneaking in, causing chaos, or engaging in mock arguments. He’s also taken opportunities in interviews and public appearances to fire back at Kimmel.

Most recently, Matt Damon has no plans to end his long-standing “feud” with Jimmy Kimmel. He called the late-night host a “bad” person at the premiere of his new movie, “Air.” This kind of public declaration, delivered with a straight face, is exactly what keeps the joke fresh and entertaining. And not to be outdone, Jimmy Kimmel is keeping his "feud" with Matt Damon alive! The 55-year-old late-night host attended Monday's premiere of Damon's new movie, "Air," in West Hollywood where he continued the playful jabs, showing their mutual commitment to the bit.

More Than Just a Joke: The Enduring Appeal

So, why has this fake feud lasted almost two decades and remained so beloved by audiences? It's more than just a simple running gag; it's a masterclass in comedic performance and celebrity branding.

Commitment to the Bit: Both Kimmel and Damon are fully invested, never breaking character when discussing their "hatred" for each other. This dedication makes the joke incredibly believable and fun to watch.
Relatability: The idea of a playful rivalry between friends is something many people can relate to, even if the scale is Hollywood-sized.
Consistent Entertainment: The feud provides a reliable source of laughter. Audiences know that whenever Kimmel or Damon are together, or even mentioned in the same breath, there's a good chance for a hilarious exchange.
Blurring Lines: It cleverly blurs the lines between their public personas and private lives, creating a unique form of meta-comedy that keeps fans guessing and engaged.
Humanizing Figures: It humanizes two major celebrities, showing them as playful, self-aware individuals who don't take themselves too seriously.

Summary: The Feud That Keeps on Giving

The two stars are known for playing up their "hatred" for each other now and then. Late-night talk show and Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel and Academy Award-winning actor Matt Damon have kept a “feud” going so long it’s now a teenager. While it may seem like it’s all in fun, it truly is a testament to their comedic genius. What began as a spontaneous, off-the-cuff joke in 2003 on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" quickly evolved into one of Hollywood's most iconic and longest-running fake feuds. Fueled by viral videos like Sarah Silverman's infamous "I'm F***ing Matt Damon," Kimmel's nightly jabs, Oscar night roasts, and Damon's equally enthusiastic participation, this pretend rivalry has entertained audiences for nearly two decades. It's a brilliant example of how two celebrities can create enduring comedic gold by simply committing to a hilarious, mutual trolling relationship, proving that sometimes, the best feuds are the ones that aren't real at all.

Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon beef explained | The US Sun

Jimmy Kimmel, Matt Damon Have the Best 'Feud' in Hollywood | Us Weekly

Jimmy Kimmel vs Matt Damon: The Full History Of Their Feud | ⭐OSSA

TalentScope