7 Epic Moments In The Matt Damon And Jimmy Kimmel 'Feud' Timeline (Latest Update: October 2025)
The comedic "feud" between Hollywood superstar Matt Damon and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is arguably one of the greatest, longest-running gags in television history, a masterclass in celebrity commitment to a bit. What began as a throwaway joke in 2005 has evolved into a multi-decade saga of insults, surprise appearances, and high-production-value pranks that has delighted fans and confused casual viewers for years, proving that two of the industry's biggest names are also the best of friends.
As of October 2025, the rivalry is still going strong, with the most recent and hilarious escalation occurring during *Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s* final show in New York, where Damon made a surprise appearance disguised as a ridiculous new mascot. This commitment to the bit, which spans talk shows, awards ceremonies, and even charity events, is what gives the Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel saga its incredible topical authority, continually generating fresh content and keeping their names intertwined in the media.
The Complete Profile: Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel
To fully appreciate the scope of their legendary rivalry, it helps to know the background of the two key players. While the public persona is one of petty, mutual disdain, in reality, Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel are close friends whose professional paths have often crossed outside of their on-screen antics.
Matt Damon (Matthew Paige Damon)
- Born: October 8, 1970, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Occupation: Actor, Screenwriter, Producer.
- Career Highlights: Academy Award winner for Best Original Screenplay (*Good Will Hunting*), Golden Globe winner, star of the *Bourne* franchise, *The Martian*, and *Oppenheimer*.
- Notable Collaborator: Long-time friend and creative partner, Ben Affleck.
Jimmy Kimmel (James Christian Kimmel)
- Born: November 13, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
- Occupation: Television Host, Comedian, Producer.
- Career Highlights: Host and executive producer of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* since 2003, host of the Academy Awards multiple times, former co-host of *The Man Show*.
- Wife: Molly McNearney (co-head writer for *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*), who has also been a key participant in the feud.
The Origin Story: How a Throwaway Joke Started a 20-Year Feud
The "feud" that has become a staple of late-night television did not begin with a planned skit or a genuine celebrity slight; it started with a moment of pure, spontaneous exhaustion. The year was 2005, and *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* was in its third season.
1. The Accidental Sign-Off (2005)
Kimmel was hosting an episode that had been particularly disappointing, running long and failing to secure a big-name guest. Frustrated and looking to amuse a producer standing nearby, Kimmel decided to end the show on a nonsensical, sarcastic note.
- The Line: "Apologies to Matt Damon, but we ran out of time."
- The Reaction: The producer laughed, and Kimmel realized the line was funny because it was completely arbitrary. He continued to use it nightly, and the gag quickly snowballed into a running joke, much to the confusion of viewers and, initially, Damon himself.
Damon eventually heard about the joke and decided to play along, setting the stage for one of the most successful and enduring celebrity pranks in history. The premise is simple: Matt Damon is the one guest the show can never manage to get on air, despite his fame and proximity.
Key Milestones: The Most Explosive Battles of the Rivalry
Over two decades, the "feud" has moved beyond a simple sign-off joke, evolving into elaborate, high-budget segments that often involve other A-list celebrities and even Kimmel’s own family. These moments are the bedrock of the Damon-Kimmel legend, providing consistent entertainment and topical authority.
2. The Sarah Silverman Intervention: "I'm F***ing Matt Damon" (2008)
Perhaps the most famous and viral moment of the entire saga occurred in 2008 when Kimmel's then-girlfriend, comedian Sarah Silverman, appeared on the show to reveal a shocking secret in a musical number.
- The Song: Silverman sang a catchy, explicit song titled "I'm F***ing Matt Damon."
- The Response: The video became an instant internet sensation. Kimmel retaliated a month later with his own star-studded music video, "I'm F***ing Ben Affleck," featuring a long list of celebrities, including Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, and even Damon's best friend, Ben Affleck, further cementing the rivalry as a Hollywood institution.
3. Damon's First Appearance (2006)
The very first time Matt Damon appeared on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* was a masterclass in commitment to the bit. Damon was ushered onto the stage with great fanfare, only for Kimmel to interrupt him immediately and announce that they had, of course, run out of time.
- The Payoff: Damon launched into a hilarious, profanity-laced tirade, cementing his role as the perpetually frustrated, snubbed guest.
4. The Therapy Session (2016)
In a segment designed to "resolve" their differences, the two appeared in a mock couples therapy session. The skit showcased their deep-seated, fake resentment, with Kimmel accusing Damon of being "too good" and Damon accusing Kimmel of being a terrible host. The session ended, predictably, with no resolution and a renewed commitment to the feud.
5. The Oscar Hostage Situation (2017)
When Kimmel hosted the 89th Academy Awards, he used the platform to take his feud with Damon to the grandest stage possible. Kimmel repeatedly took shots at Damon throughout the night, culminating in a moment where he played music to cut off Damon’s introduction of an award, much like the show’s sign-off joke. The absurdity of a late-night joke being played out during the most prestigious night in film was a highlight of the ceremony.
6. The Wife Swap and House Swap
The rivalry has even included their respective wives. Kimmel’s wife, Molly McNearney, is a writer on the show and a key orchestrator of the pranks. In one memorable skit, Damon and Kimmel "swapped" homes and families, with Damon proving to be a better father figure and husband than Kimmel, much to the chagrin of the late-night host.
The Latest Chapter: The Frankie Focus Incident (October 2025)
The longevity of the Damon-Kimmel feud is due to their consistent ability to find new, timely ways to escalate the gag, ensuring the content remains fresh and relevant. The most recent incident is a perfect example of this dedication to the bit.
7. The Brooklyn Finale Crash and the 'Frankie Focus' Disguise (October 3, 2025)
The latest salvo was fired during the final night of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s* week-long run in Brooklyn, New York. Kimmel was delivering his monologue when a bizarre figure—a new, overly enthusiastic New York mascot named "Frankie Focus"—interrupted the show.
- The Disguise: The mascot, clearly Matt Damon, was dressed in a ridiculous, oversized costume.
- The Insult: Damon, speaking through the mascot persona, immediately began mocking Kimmel's recent, brief suspension from ABC, a real-life event that had occurred in September 2025. Damon quipped that he was a "big fan" of the suspension and referenced the erroneous claim by a political figure that Kimmel’s show was being canceled.
- The Conclusion: The segment ended, as always, with Damon being physically removed from the stage, his attempt to "say goodbye" to the New York audience thwarted by his nemesis.
This October 2025 incident, where Damon not only crashes the show but uses a current, news-based event (the suspension rumor) as the basis for his insult, demonstrates the high-level writing and commitment that keeps the Damon-Kimmel "feud" a perennial favorite. It’s a rivalry built on mutual respect and a shared sense of humor, ensuring that as long as both stars are working, the world will always be waiting for the next hilarious confrontation.
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