Matt Damon on 'Rounders' and Breaking Into '90s Hollywood | The Bill Simmons Podcast (Ep. 423)

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Matt Damon to discuss his journey through Hollywood with Ben Affleck, 'Rounders,' 'Goodwill Hunting,' the 1990s class of actors, baseball, and more.
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[@empireoflightz]

The John Malkovich story is an all timer

[@ssotkow]

Very good interview. First time listening to Matt off camera. Interesting fella to talk to. Great job guys!

[@HomieSoul]

Ohhhh man this was dope. Inspiring Pod! Matt really seems like a well rounded, humble, good hearted dude. It's cool to hear him talk about the early year struggles with Aflek. A lot of times we just see these celeb success stories and assume it's luck but this guy really put his 10,000 hours in. This guy is passionate about his craft, and has really diversified his skill set. The big takeaway is if the opportunity/role doesn't exhist, CREATE IT! (a la Goodwill Hunting) Glad it wasn't all about the Sox and Pats. Lots of Rounders 😂😂 . I've actually never seen Rounders or even heard of it, debating a viewing. I was hoping to hear some Ocean's 11 stories. That group seems tight. Great Pod Bill. Keep'em coming!

[@likearollingstone007]

Hope you've seen it by now

[@iamhollywood555]

If you haven’t yet, definitely watch Rounders. It is awesome!! And Malkovich is fricking GREAT!!! I LOVE his character so much.

[@nickb1167]

❤ 27 Dresses Palm Springs JJr

[@nickb1167]

katie nolan

[@simpleagain1]

@@iamhollywood555Rounders is a phenomenal movie!

[@kingseth3]

Matt should come on the rewactchables!

[@mcg_bryan]

You think you’re better than me Mork? 43:20

[@ctm291]

Best B.S. pod probably ever.

[@VirantRoss]

ct n really? With no NBA Topics?

[@ctm291]

@@VirantRoss yeah..love bill since 2000 sometimes the sports pods get a bit wonky.

[@TheHIGHSTREET]

bill burr was also good

[@dbndbn9279]

This has been one of my faves. Damon sounds like someone who is very secure in his being. Enjoyed the flat-share stories. The only other one from the annals of the BS Report which sticks in my mind is 'Pedof-Isle" -- the Adam Corrola fake movie pitch. Yes, the sports bits is just very dry. I don't know anybody who enjoys the Cousin Sal NFL lines podcasts -- apart from the participants. Always feels like youre eves- dropping on someone else's boring convo.

[@efrainvillamizar6091]

always ome back to this pod at least 1-2 times per year

[@zachrizzo6525]

Matt is one of the more cerebral people you’ll ever listen to. He went to Harvard so we know he knows his shit

[@pace348]

Best pod ever

[@Sam19509]

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. LMFAO I just coincidentally listened to this podcast episode on the morning of October 8 2018 which is also Matt Damon's Birthday. Happy Birthday Mr. Damon !!!

[@pault7135]

I must admit....the conversation you had with Gretchen at the beginning when you were trying to get a quickie from her after a night of playing, I'm paraphrasing but i think it goes something like "I promise you won't feel a thing" .....I've used it so many times and my girl melts and gives in more times then not... so thank you for making an impression on me as a young man

[@startervisions]

I never thought of it that way...imagine being a kid...your dad takes you to the movie theater...and you find out, he's...

[@dimitreze]

32:40 Rainmaker is veeeeery good

[@Mohamed-ui8yz]

good will hunting is phenomenal

[@abeabdelhadi6062]

I thought Affleck's "comeback" began with Hollywoodland. Shoulda been nominated.

[@VirantRoss]

*BILL, I WENT TO PLAYSTORE & AMAZON to purchase The Book of Basketball. BUT it's like the only book not available in an AUDIO BOOK format. WHY? Is there future plans for Audiobook format???*

[@frankmaitland2569]

The Table read of Good Will Hunting

[@sosa3308]

"Ben showed up with all of his shit"

[@ironed1]

Great fucking interview

[@elliota.1063]

People who love movies can't allow this to happen: 1:13:30. We need to find ways to fix that.

[@_k___ou____2797]

Matt. Damon.

[@XxMr1XxX]

GIVE US ROUNDERS 2 AND I WILL BUY YOUR BLUE RAY 100 TIMES !

[@holymackenaw]

i wondered why i didnt know the rounders movie. then found out it wasnt in cinemas in germany and austria.

[@zachrizzo6525]

Bill has to bring Wahlberg on a pod if he hasn’t already for a movie

[@lukebaker18]

HEY MORK! YOU THINK YOU’RE BETTER THAN ME?!

[@21degree]

3:00

[@andrewpayette621]

16-tabling pokerstars while listening to this

[@sinogarcon]

Wow, so many gossips! The juicest part is this titbit where Matt pretended him not remembering: 8:28.

[@nickb1167]

Gemini = Ticketmaster/MOB/HBO

[@MKSouthernStar]

Truely explained why these amazing stories are not being made anymore, its all about mass consumption, less talk more action blah blah blah

[@gqtaste]

No Departed stories, no Saving Private Ryan stories, no stories about working w/ the fine piece of ass Penelope Cruz, no stories of working with that fine piece of ass Eva Mendez.... Come to think of it no talk of working with Scarlett Johansson. No mention of the Chinese movie he did that was a gigantic disaster: The Great Wall. I'm sure he had some choice stories of that one. No stories of working in Africa in two films: Invictus and Elysium. But 25 minutes of Rounders.

[@scottbarkley496]

Forest Bertrand Because you are an idiot

[@roboninja3194]

gqtaste You seem to really be focused on the "fine pieces of ass" he has worked with.

[@brooksloomis]

Well when there’s a 28th anniversary of working with ScarJo or Rewatchables episode dedicated to Invictus I’ll join your applause in those Messageboard Forums

[@scottwesley5018]

Ugh Bill... you have MATT DAMON on your podcast. Just shut up and let him finish a sentance

[@nf2203]

I'm staying loyal to Kimmel, not gonna listen to this, sorry Bill.

[@ericlytle2209]

Water Bottle there’s a running gag that jimmy kimmel hates Matt Damon

[@jeancarlos8442]

Seems like bill simmons went full hollywood. No basketball anymore, whenever there is basketball, its a short segment with some lame comedian or actress afterwards.

[@BraveAve_]

itll pick back up when NBA starts back

[@LABRADOR904]

Uh...it's the off-season.

[@ssotkow]

It's incredible how Bill knows basically everything and all topics. That's why he's such a brilliant conversationalist.