MATT DAMON (Colin) is an Academy Award-winning screenwriter and has also been honored for his work as an actor. He most recently starred in the politically charged drama “Syriana,” with George Clooney. Later this year, he stars with Robert De Niro and Angelina Jolie in the dramatic thriller “The Good Shepherd,” directed by De Niro. Damon is currently filming the sequel “Ocean’s 13,” which reunites him with castmates Clooney, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia and Bernie Mac, and director Steven Soderbergh. He also stars with Anna Paquin in the upcoming drama “Margaret,” directed by Kenneth Lonargan.
Hailing from Boston, Damon attended Harvard University and gained his initial acting experience at the American Repertory Theatre. Following small roles in “Mystic Pizza” and “School Ties,” he first caught the attention of critics and audiences with his role as a guilt-ridden Gulf War veteran in 1996’s “Courage Under Fire.”
However, it was 1997 that would prove to be Damon’s breakout year. Together with his friend Ben Affleck, he co-wrote the acclaimed drama “Good Will Hunting,” in which Damon also starred in the title role of a troubled math genius. The film brought him an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award (shared with Ben Affleck) for Best Original Screenplay. Damon also garnered Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for his performance in the film, as well as two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nominations: one for his individual performance and a second for Outstanding Cast Performance, shared with his co-stars. Also in 1997, Damon starred in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Rainmaker” and made a cameo appearance in Kevin Smith’s “Chasing Amy.”
In 1998, Damon played the title role in Steven Spielberg’s award-winning World War II drama “Saving Private Ryan,” for which he shared in another SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Cast Performance. He also starred that year in John Dahl’s drama “Rounders,” with Edward Norton.
Damon earned his third Golden Globe nomination for his work in 1999’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” under the direction of Anthony Minghella. Damon also reunited with Ben Affleck and director Kevin Smith to star in the controversial comedy “Dogma.” In 2000, Damon starred in Robert Redford’s “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” and Billy Bob Thornton’s “All the Pretty Horses.” The following year saw Damon join an all-star cast, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Don Cheadle, in Steven Soderbergh’s hit remake of the “Rat Pack” comedy “Ocean’s Eleven.” Damon took on his first action role when he starred as Jason Bourne in 2002’s mega-hit action thriller “The Bourne Identity.” In 2004, he starred in the sequels “Ocean’s Twelve” and “The Bourne Supremacy.”
Damon’s other recent film credits include the Farrelly brothers’ comedy “Stuck On You,” with Greg Kinnear; Terry Gilliam’s “The Brothers Grimm,” opposite Heath Ledger; and a cameo appearance in George Clooney’s “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.”
Lifelong friends Damon and Affleck formed the production company LivePlanet. Among its film and television projects, LivePlanet produced three Emmy-nominated seasons of “Project Greenlight.” It is currently producing the documentary “Running the Sahara,” directed by Academy Award winner James Moll.
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