Matt Damon Career Retrospective | SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations

Q&A with Matt Damon. Moderated by Jenelle Riley, Back Stage.
Matt Damon has been honored for his work on both sides of the camera. Early in his career, Mr. Damon won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, for his breakthrough feature Good Will Hunting, which he wrote and starred in with his lifelong friend Ben Affleck and which was directed by Gus Van Sant. He has since reteamed with Mr. Van Sant for Finding Forrester; Gerry, and now Promised Land.

[@karabellaellaellaella]

This interviewer is really good. She interviewed Leo too and that was a treat.

[@kwood9307]

Yeah, she definitely is....have you seen the interview with Gary Oldman?...that was a really great one, probably my fave...he doesn't often seem that comfortable in interviews, as he was with her and the audience there!

[@lesleym5434]

I adore this man - fabulous actor and all round good guy, The interviewer is excellent.

[@modesanya]

This guy is my hero, nicest & smartest actor working in Hollywood. Always a pleasure watching this man.

[@WomenThrowinLeather]

Wow, this host asks really intelligent and informative questions. This is one of the best "Celebrity Acting" interviews ever. Well done.

[@juleebailey3046]

I am a huge Matt Damon fan and find him to be interesting, intelligent, and eloquent.

[@victoriateague9012]

I like her, It seems like the actors are relaxed and comfortable with her. She lets them talk.

[@dramachat]

I love interviewers who know "this person is interesting....let them talk". Great questions and then time for an answer. Love this series.

[@sherryyeager4973]

He is SO smart and well spoken!

[@hille422]

I think Matt nailed the action guy role, so many people enjoy the bourne movies because he's not the typical action dude (thank god)

[@MKSouthernStar]

What an absolute gem to listen to him talk about his craft. Long live Matt Damon.

[@deeptiabey2453]

I watched Courage Under Fire and the one thing that stuck with me more than anything was this guy. He was skinny and hideous at the start of the movie, and then in the flashback scenes he looked so different that i didn't even recognize him at first. I was simply awestruck at how much effort he had put into this role.

[@andestung5946]

hopefully more interviewers will learn from this lady. That's how you interview. No. 1 priority - the realisation that people didn't tune in to watch you, the interviewer, they tune in to watch the people you are interviewing. So LET THEM TALK! You can tell the stars this lady interviewed clearly feeling comfortable and really opening themselves a lot when being interviewed by this lady.

[@vesper180]

That's exactly it! She never makes any interview or topic, all about her...like so many talk show hosts seem to do constantly. Those guys always seem to want to look funnier and smarter than their guests...at the expense of their guests. She seems to be very genuine, attentive, kind and funny....she creates an encouraging, relaxed atmosphere where the guests can feel comfortable and open...which allows them to shine.

[@wilhelmina8843]

And she had a really in-depth knowledge of film and tv shows herself so she can really relate and acknowledge the stories the actors are talking about.

[@DRose1NBA]

This interviewer is one of the best I've seen. Previously I've watched the DiCaprio and McConaughey interview and she managed all of them incredibly well. Great job!

[@ricardochaveste7367]

Incredible actor Matt Damon 👏 as always such talented, great guy , my goodness where do I start ,inspiring ,positive.great movies..👍👍.

[@ObviouslyBlonde]

Such an insightful interview! Never knew he was so funny. Thanks for sharing.

[@lianage.3885]

Fantastic interviewer

[@michaelm4464]

Went to Harvard when he was 17? He really is wicked smaht.

[@Marquia777]

+Ethan Harris but you do have to be pretty damn smart to get into Harvard.

[@michaelm4464]

What do you mean?

[@weasley2o13]

Alex Pounder yeah. They are filthy rich so they live in a housing project in Boston so that their kids would learn to be humble about their money. Come on, bro. Google him.

[@smileyscrubs2262]

Hahah, great reference to good will hunting

[@erich4047]

Terrific interview and terrific host

[@bonitaashford]

he actually seemed a little surprised when he recalled what year they had written Good Will Hunting together....that kind of happens when life moves fast as his has done. He is excellent at answering the questions he doesn't seem to have an "answer script" he seems as though he were answering naturally as anyone would in a regular conversation. nice to see a sort of "regular guy" who obviously came from a little bit of privileged background since he did go to Harvard but sounds like he had a well grounded childhood and obviously had to support himself when he decided to go into writing and films. The audience obviously related to his comments as well. thanks

[@PalmDesertRock]

Seems like a really nice guy you can go drink a beer with and have genuinely good time.

[@candyrushascendedphoenix8]

👍👍👍❤❤ My favorite movie of his was The Talented Mr Ripley❤❤ On another note..He and Ben Affleck working together...brilliant

[@dianewinchester2930]

Matt Damon is such a sweet approachable guy. No ego. Jenelle should do more interviews.

[@TracyLynnCruz]

One of the best interviews I've seen. It was insightful, emotional and incredibly funny. I like how all of his anecdotes tied into how he broke ground on being a successful actor in Hollywood and the experiences and connections he's had from it but still being the guy who had to scrape by to fulfill his dreams. Matt Damon is one of the most underrated actors of all time.

[@yakuza2123]

I love this beautiful woman. Matt Damon is a fantastic actor and a gentleman in life. Blessing to both.

[@yoraffetto]

Wonderful interview. Smart questions.

[@minhdo3482]

Great interviewer. Amazing guest. Matt damon is the kind of celebrity that the new-generation of celebrity should aspire to b. Charming. Intelligent. Humble n not to mention talented as hell. Too many "celebrity" r famous for absolutely no reason at all

[@thetruth144]

Amazing guy, hes so genuine and smart. Don;t have much of those these days. Great actor...

[@tranvuhoai5434]

Matt is wonderful

[@peachykwin]

i could listen to him talk all day

[@doctornov7]

I just watched an hour of this in the bath. Time flew by. Amazing.

[@m.h.1593]

Yonas Campbell I'm in the bath right now! What the heck! Is this a thing? Or just a Matt Damon thing? ;)

[@sabrinawardharrison8904]

Yonas Campbell ha!! I was watching it in the bath tonight too

[@mikekillagreen9432]

Be careful if it falls in the tub it's over for you

[@kevinyang3393]

this guy is very awsome, each movie is so amazing.

[@edwardlamb]

Really love these interviews. Thanks so much for sharing and to Jenelle for being such a great moderator. Keep em coming!

[@reacteur84]

The interviewer is Awesome

[@popeye697]

Predicted John Krasinski's career track for the next 12 years and he was definitely on point going 10 years now

[@sinogarcon]

It's not a prediction. He took Kransinki in as his protege, and by extention, Kransinki has become Affleck's too. There is no doubt that both Damon and Affleck taught him how to write a screenplay and direct a film and they become his protectors in the industry.

[@alex0589]

Cracked the fucking floor tiles with these name drops. Solid interview

[@kennethcarvalho3684]

Superb interviewing skills and Damon..interesting as usual

[@elenachu9932]

Matt is hilarious!!!!!!!!!! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[@iamkaedahara]

I miss this man, my favorite actor!

[@mikekillagreen9432]

He was right about Jon Krasinski. A Quiet Place was brilliant.

[@pyano55]

Courage under Fire !!

[@kirorupa]

he s an adorable Human Being!!!

[@matthewaronoff7539]

great work great interviews

[@sarahzaiter6920]

He is so amazing. Everything he says resonates with me so much I think we might actually be the same person. Except for the fact that I'm a 14 year old girl lol.

[@Crunchysopa52]

Wonderful interview no doubt.

[@anthonyellison4737]

Matt "ya know" Damon........ absolute legend.

[@zsofiasimo4862]

I just love this guy, his voice, everything

[@mijongripuk4383]

amazing interviewer

[@minhdo3482]

"Im f#€king Matt Damon" is an internet classic that deserve to b remembered for all time

[@kershaw1450]

Maaaaaaatttt Daaaamonnnn

[@CaptainBeefheart90]

Great Guy

[@flaggerify]

Film Actor's Guild

[@gerardvanoeveren4877]

Great interview, i really enjoyed it.

[@ResulevArif]

It's 2018! Time to make another one .

[@fahmsalmalexandar]

Conversations with Matt Damon

[@ext1013]

Wow, Matt Damon saw John Krasinski's future to the T. 52:45.

[@minjeonglee6406]

I love your blouse and vest combo jannelle!

[@voices_vary]

My guess is that no one has anything bad to say about Matt Damon!

[@minhdo3482]

ABSOLUTELY NO-ONE HATES MATT DAMON

[@iggyspirit]

deep guy....thanks.

[@NavinKumar-ie5ye]

Emotional and touching story met demons 😁😁😁😁😁

[@victoriateague9012]

Seems like they never get to talk so they talk and talk on here., Without being interrupted.

[@zehranehar7892]

He is so insipiring that it breaks my heart.

[@Vanq123123]

You are helpful.

[@brandyfarmer7823]

If someday maybe I'll have Matt Damon be a director in all my movies.

[@vaskylark]

Best part of this interview is that the interviewer got to say to Matt's face, "I'm f*cking Matt Damon." I LOLed hard.

[@gazman5150]

Did she ask about the Bourne movies? I can't remember hearing it ... He's such a down to earth guy tho.

[@gerardovivanco5631]

Jenelle Riley rocks!

[@sabrinaestep2205]

Hay Matt how is things good I hope good morning

[@Bishop777songsBoRNagAIn]

You are special surr

[@screenwritercomedyseries59]

Matt you are fucking Brilliant!

[@cim888]

In retrospect "Harvey" isn't quite the shining white knight anymore....

[@sabrinawardharrison8904]

cim888 noted that moment too, watching tonight.

[@myknittingblog]

He never was, he was a very useful contact for a long time until he wasn't.

[@sportsm4n]

I wonder if there were any actors in this audience that became famous...

[@MegaBondoo]

hi matt, from Mongolia

[@wyattd2941]

The Weinstein comments have aged well lol. Great interview though obviously his crimes weren't as well known then.

[@myknittingblog]

We can't assume Weinstein's crimes weren't well known. We would be better off assuming they were. Everyone knew he was not ok with women. We the public didn't know but they knew.

[@janehollander1934]

I came here especially, to see if other people commented on that Harvey Weinstein part in this interview. I also personally think many people in the business "knew" what Weinstein was like. And would have let him go on, doing what he did... If you just look at how many A-listers in the Acting community still have no qualms to work with know "offenders" (or Directors who have an iffy/bad track record) like Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Lars Von Trier, (even back in the day Alfred Hitchcock or John Ford). I find it very difficult to separate their deeds/personal opinions from their often very outstanding creative works.... 💔😔

[@narukami7]

Matt Damon was in Chushingura in the 1980's? Who directed their production? Where did they get their costumes? Did they make a video recording of the performance? He played the part of Wakasanosuke? I too played that part in the 1979 production at the University of Hawai'i. Just curious...🤔

[@DaveDott]

1:03:46 that's how I feel about all jobs

[@delphi202002]

The audience applause is very loud in comparison.

[@batchint]

you have see that item... 'damon on malkovich'... just to say...maybe..

[@EvertfromNederland]

mAt DaMon, MAt DAmON!

[@Nazaba09]

I recently met Matt and he’s one of the NICEST people. I’m now obsessed with watching all his interviews. I’m in love with him calling alexia his daughter. ❤️ ‘Ben was in actor jail’. And then he married the person that put him there. That’s true love. (I’m not being sarcastic)

[@dorisreeves8513]

What is the oldest actors thru have received?

[@theredfordclub2514]

Jenelle is cute

[@Sjbtr19674]

he was young....

[@JessyOne100]

Private Ryen!!!

[@jeremygovender]

You skipped bourne

[@kaffeeburger]

You know?

[@eak101184]

50:44

[@GriffinDuyThespian]

The Harvey Madonna praise did not age well ugh........

[@alexanderg1297]

24:40

[@Danetto]

oops 25:00

[@wilhelmina8843]

Matt completely predicted John Krasinski’s future. 51:09 talking about where John would be at 12 years from the interview. We are on year 11 and John has the new live action/animated movie IF (Imaginary Friend) that he wrote, directed and co-produced. (Amongst other credits)

[@jcconant6826]

there aren't many female conversations

[@bishopc.knight4209]

+Jessica Conant I was thinking the same thing.

[@ashurfim]

they're all straight white men lol

[@funkycolemedina]

🏌🏼‍♂️

[@funkycolemedina]

Stand up guy for sure hands down excellent in Oceans

[@chuck4747]

hey i like ya mat and i like your movies but... gerry wo me and my best friend watched that is 8th grade we were huge on kev smith and ben and yall shit but yeah it was kinda the worst i love thats a memorie for ya lol

[@darrellgarrett72]

Eat your heart out TJ Max!!

[@TheAnthrokid]

Oh dear, the Harvey Weinstein accolades didn't age well....

[@janehollander1934]

Love how Matt Damon later on Stephen Colbert's show, talked about 'Good Will Hunting' and looking back on working with Harvey Weinstein. 👌🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZPFg5aVitejiJo

[@harryshaull3377]

Harvey hasn’t aged well 😬

[@nononouh]

31 35 50

[@yashikasharma6915]

Can I marry you Matt please ....universe please find me a man like this plz cmon now

[@AA-zq1sx]

Wow .. that Harvey Weinstein is such a hero on a white horse comment didn't age well, did it? Yeesh.