The Enduring Matt Damon And Jimmy Kimmel Feud: A Nearly 20-Year Running Joke

You know, there are some disagreements in Hollywood that really capture everyone's attention, right? We've seen stars go back and forth, and sometimes it gets pretty intense, too it's almost a sport for some people. But then, you know, there's another kind of celebrity back-and-forth, one that's a bit harder to put your finger on, something that's quite unique, actually. It's not about real anger or deep-seated resentment; it's something else entirely, a true oddity in the world of public figures, in a way.

This particular late-night "war," as some might call it, involves the host of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, Jimmy Kimmel himself, and the very well-known actor, Matt Damon. For nearly two decades now, these two public personalities have been locked in what many perceive as a rather bitter, ongoing disagreement. It’s a situation that has, you know, pretty much become a signature part of the late-night television landscape, a recurring bit that viewers look forward to, in some respects.

But how did this whole thing come into being? And perhaps more importantly, is it all genuinely real, or is there something else going on beneath the surface? As a matter of fact, Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon have famously had this back-and-forth for almost twenty years. We're going to take a closer look at their long-running comedic disagreement, tracing its beginnings and exploring why it has managed to stay so entertaining for so long. It’s a story, you know, that really shows how a simple joke can become something much bigger.

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Table of Contents

• The Man Behind the Desk: Jimmy Kimmel
• The Unlikely Start of a Legendary Disagreement
• A Timeline of Trolling: Key Moments in the Feud
• The Nature of the Beef: Is It Real?
• Why This Running Gag Works So Well
• The Million-Dollar Question: A Future Moment
• Frequently Asked Questions About the Kimmel-Damon Feud

The Man Behind the Desk: Jimmy Kimmel

Before we get into the details of this long-standing comedic battle, it helps to know a bit about one of the main players, Jimmy Kimmel. He's, you know, a pretty familiar face to anyone who watches late-night television. Jimmy has been hosting *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* for a good while now, and he's known for his quick wit and his ability to make people laugh. His show, which airs on ABC, has become a regular stop for many of Hollywood's biggest names, and, arguably, it’s where this particular story really took off.

Personal Details and Background

Jimmy Kimmel, born James Christian Kimmel, has had a fascinating path to becoming a late-night icon. He started out in radio, actually, which is pretty interesting, if you think about it. That experience, you know, really shaped his conversational style and his ability to engage with people, which he brings to his TV show every single night. He's also known for his family life, often talking about his wife and children on air, which makes him feel, you know, quite relatable to many viewers, in a way.

The Unlikely Start of a Legendary Disagreement

So, you might be wondering, how did this whole, you know, back-and-forth between Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel even begin? Well, it all dates back to 2005, which is quite a long time ago, if you think about it. The story goes that it came into being during the third season of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* It wasn't some big, planned event or a carefully crafted skit. No, it was actually, you know, a spontaneous moment, something that just happened on the air, in a way.

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Jimmy Kimmel, apparently, was feeling a bit frustrated with the show's schedule. They were often running out of time at the end of the broadcast, and he needed a way to, you know, end the show quickly. So, one night, without much thought, he just said, "Apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time." It was, basically, a throwaway line, a little joke to fill the silence and signal the end of the show. He didn't expect it to become, you know, anything more than that, really.

But that simple, off-the-cuff remark, you know, sparked something. It was a funny enough line that he decided to do it again. And then again. And before anyone really knew it, this casual sign-off became a running gag, a regular feature of the show. It just sort of, you know, snowballed from there. This very small, almost insignificant beginning has, over the years, grown into one of the most widely recognized ongoing comedic disagreements in all of Hollywood, which is pretty wild, you know?

Matt Damon, as a matter of fact, eventually caught wind of this repeated mention. And instead of ignoring it, he decided to play along. This willingness from both sides to participate, to keep the joke going, is, arguably, what has kept it alive for so long. It started as a spontaneous joke on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, and that's precisely what makes it so charming and, you know, so enduring for people who watch.

A Timeline of Trolling: Key Moments in the Feud

Once that initial spark happened in 2005, the so-called "feud" really took on a life of its own. It wasn't just about Kimmel saying he ran out of time for Damon anymore. Oh no, it got much more involved than that. Both Matt and Jimmy started finding creative ways to, you know, keep the comedic disagreement going, to escalate the silliness. It became a kind of mutual trolling, if you will, a playful back-and-forth that kept audiences guessing and, you know, pretty much always laughing.

One of the earliest big moments, as a matter of fact, saw Matt Damon actually managing to get onto the show. But of course, it wasn't a straightforward appearance. He often found ways to, you know, interrupt the show, or try to sneak in, only to be, basically, pushed off by Kimmel or the show's security. These early interactions really set the tone for what was to come, showing that this wasn't a real fight, but a carefully orchestrated comedic performance, in a way.

Then there was the time, you know, when Matt Damon literally hijacked the show. He took over as host, which was a pretty big deal. He even renamed it *Jimmy Kimmel Sucks!* for the night. That was, you know, a pretty bold move, and it showed just how far they were willing to go for the joke. It was a clear sign that this wasn't just a quick gag; it was something much bigger, a recurring narrative that viewers could, you know, really get invested in, obviously.

The Academy Awards, believe it or not, have also become a stage for their ongoing antics. When Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Oscars, you know, he often found ways to poke fun at Matt Damon. And Damon, for his part, would respond in kind. These moments on such a huge platform really brought the "feud" to a much wider audience, cementing its place as one of Hollywood's most famous running jokes. It's, you know, pretty incredible how they've managed to keep it fresh over the years, isn't it?

And it's not just on Kimmel's show. Matt Damon has, you know, brought the joke to other places too. He's mentioned it in interviews, and even, apparently, in other public appearances. This kind of widespread engagement with the bit, you know, just shows how much fun they both have with it. It’s a complete timeline of Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel's endless feud and mutual trolling, and how their beef started with TV show videos, which, you know, really makes it unique, doesn’t it?

The Nature of the Beef: Is It Real?

So, the question that, you know, pretty much everyone asks when they first hear about this is: Is the Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel feud real? And the short answer, you know, is a resounding "no." This is one of the most famous ongoing *fake* feuds in Hollywood, absolutely. It started as a spontaneous joke on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, as we discussed, and it has remained a comedic bit ever since, which is pretty cool, if you think about it.

The entire premise of their disagreement is built on humor. It's a testament to their comedic timing and their ability to, you know, really commit to a bit. They play their parts so well that, you know, some people actually believe there's genuine animosity between them. But in reality, they're good friends, or at least, you know, very friendly colleagues who enjoy making people laugh together. It's, basically, a shared creative project, in a way.

Matt Damon, in a July interview with SiriusXM, actually opened up about the decades-long joke. He talked about how it all began and how it has evolved. This kind of transparency, you know, helps people understand that it's all in good fun. It's not about real anger; it's about entertainment. They've found a formula that works, and they've stuck with it, which is, you know, pretty smart, honestly.

The source of their "beef," as it's often called, is nothing more than a playful rivalry, a comedic device. It’s a unique example of how celebrities can, you know, collaborate on a long-running gag that becomes a part of their public personas. It's garnered nationwide coverage since 2005, when Kimmel ended a show with that now-famous line, and that, you know, really speaks to its enduring appeal, doesn't it?

Why This Running Gag Works So Well

There are, you know, many reasons why the Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel feud has managed to stay so popular for so long. For one thing, it's consistent. Viewers know that, you know, they can always expect some kind of jab or playful insult whenever these two are in the same room, or even just mentioned together. This predictability, ironically, makes it very enjoyable, because you're always waiting to see how they'll, you know, twist it next, basically.

Also, both Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel are, you know, incredibly good at what they do. Kimmel has that dry, sarcastic humor, and Damon is a fantastic actor who can play the exasperated, slightly put-upon victim perfectly. Their chemistry, you know, is just spot-on. They really understand how to make the joke land, and they're both willing to, you know, really lean into the absurdity of the situation, which is great, you know?

It also feels, you know, very organic. Because it started as a spontaneous joke on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, it never felt forced. It grew naturally, which makes it feel more authentic, even though it's completely fake. This kind of natural progression, you know, is something that's hard to replicate, and it's a big part of why it resonates with so many people, obviously.

The fact that it's a "fake" feud also, you know, makes it very safe and fun. There's no real drama or negativity involved, which is a nice change from some of the other celebrity disagreements we sometimes hear about. It's pure comedy, a chance for two talented people to, you know, basically just have some fun at each other's expense in a very public way, and stuff. This playful nature is, you know, definitely a key ingredient in its success, at the end of the day.

It's also, you know, a bit of an inside joke that everyone is invited to be a part of. When you know the history, you feel like you're in on something special. This sense of shared experience, you know, really builds a connection with the audience. It’s a running gag that has, you know, pretty much defined a part of late-night television for nearly two decades, and that’s, you know, truly remarkable, in a way.

The Million-Dollar Question: A Future Moment

The "feud" is so ingrained that it even extends into fictional future events, as a matter of fact. According to information we have, the latest episode of *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire*, which was released on July 29, 2025, saw Matt Damon and Ken Jennings winning the last question for $1 million. Now, you know, this is a very interesting detail because it suggests the "feud" will continue to be a part of their public narrative, even in hypothetical scenarios. It's a testament to how deeply embedded this running joke has become, you know, in their respective careers, basically.

This kind of forward-looking reference, you know, really shows the longevity and adaptability of the gag. It’s not just about past moments; it’s about how the joke can, you know, evolve and find new platforms. It means that even in the future, we can, you know, pretty much expect to see more playful interactions between Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel. It’s a clear sign that this comedic goldmine isn't going to, you know, run dry anytime soon, which is good news for fans, obviously.

The fact that they can, you know, incorporate such specific details, like a future game show appearance, really highlights the depth of their commitment to this bit. It's more than just a quick joke; it's a continuous story that they're both, you know, actively contributing to. This kind of ongoing collaboration is, you know, what keeps the matt damon and jimmy kimmel feud fresh and exciting, even after all these years, seriously.

It also shows, you know, how much fun they have with it. They're not just performing; they're genuinely enjoying the process of, you know, creating this long-form comedic narrative. This shared enjoyment, you know, really shines through and makes the whole thing even more entertaining for viewers. It's a masterclass in sustained comedic performance, and, you know, pretty much a model for how a running joke can become a legendary one, at the end of the day.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Kimmel-Damon Feud

Is the Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel feud real?

No, absolutely not. The disagreement between Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel is, you know, entirely a comedic bit. It's one of the most famous ongoing fake feuds in Hollywood. They are, you know, basically just playing characters for the sake of entertainment, and they've been doing it for almost twenty years now, which is pretty wild, you know?

How did the Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel feud start?

It all began, you know, back in 2005, during the third season of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* Jimmy Kimmel, apparently, was running out of time at the end of his show and, you know, just spontaneously said, "Apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time." It was, basically, an off-the-cuff remark that he kept repeating, and it just grew from there into a full-blown running joke, you know?

What are some famous moments in the Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel feud?

There have been, you know, many memorable moments. These include Matt Damon attempting to get on the show only to be, you know, cut off, Damon actually taking over the show and renaming it *Jimmy Kimmel Sucks!*, and their playful jabs at each other during the Academy Awards when Kimmel hosted. There's also, you know, the upcoming *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire* appearance where Damon wins, which is pretty cool, honestly.

The story of the matt damon and jimmy kimmel feud is, you know, a pretty remarkable one in the world of entertainment. What began as a simple joke on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* has blossomed into a beloved, decades-long running gag. It's a clear example of how two talented individuals can, you know, create something truly special and enduring through shared humor and a commitment to a bit. Their mutual trolling has, you know, become a signature part of their public personas, and it continues to bring smiles to faces around the world, you know, pretty much every time they interact. Learn more about celebrity rivalries on our site, and link to this page for more late-night television history.