Are Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon really friends, or is their long-running feud actually real? For nearly 20 years, late-night TV fans have watched the two stars roast each other with what looks like genuine hostility. From hijacked interviews to brutal jokes on live television, the rivalry feels personal. But behind the scenes, the truth about Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon’s relationship is far more surprising and far more genuine than most people realize.
This blog breaks down the truth behind the joke, the origin of the rivalry, and finally answers whether Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon are really friends.
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Are Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon Friends?
Yes, Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon are friends in real life. In fact, they are very close friends. Their so-called rivalry is a carefully crafted comedy bit that has been running since 2005. While many fans still wonder are Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel friends, both men have repeatedly confirmed that the feud is fake and rooted in mutual respect and genuine affection.
Behind the jokes, pranks, and public insults is a long-standing friendship that extends far beyond television. Damon is part of Kimmel’s inner circle, along with Ben Affleck, and their relationship has grown stronger over the years.
Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon: How the Feud Began
The Jimmy Kimmel Matt Damon feud started accidentally. In December 2005, after a particularly bad episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel jokingly ended the show by saying, “Apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time,” even though Damon was never scheduled to appear.
The joke made the producers laugh, so Kimmel repeated it night after night. What started as a throwaway line quickly turned into a signature sign-off. Viewers loved it, and the idea that Jimmy Kimmel couldn’t “book” Matt Damon became a running gag.
At the time, Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon had never even met, which makes the origin of the feud even funnier. Similar long-running celebrity narratives can also be seen in pop culture debates like Tom Holland and Zendaya Broke Up or Married?, where fans continuously speculate despite clear answers.
Jimmy Kimmel Matt Damon Feud: From Joke to Cultural Phenomenon
By 2006, the joke escalated when Matt Damon finally appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! only to be cut off mid-interview when Kimmel claimed they had “run out of time.” Damon stormed off angrily, convincing many viewers the feud was real.
From there, the Jimmy Kimmel Matt Damon feud grew into a full-blown comedy universe involving skits, fake fights, hijacked shows, and viral videos. One of the most famous moments came in 2008 when Kimmel’s then-girlfriend Sarah Silverman released the viral music video “I’m F— Matt Damon,” featuring Damon himself.
Kimmel fired back with his own video, “I’m F— Ben Affleck,” involving dozens of A-list celebrities. The feud officially became legendary.
Are Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon Really Friends?
Despite all the insults, the answer to are Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon really friends is a clear yes. Over the years, they have repeatedly dropped the act to show genuine support for each other.
One major example came in 2013 when Matt Damon attended Jimmy Kimmel’s wedding to Molly McNearney. That same year, Kimmel officiated Damon’s vow renewal ceremony with his wife Luciana. These are not things enemies do.
They’ve also been seen attending major sporting events together, including the 2018 World Series, often sitting alongside Ben Affleck. Off camera, the relationship is warm, loyal, and deeply personal.
Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon Are Friends in Real Life
Proof that Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon are friends goes beyond public appearances. During the 2023 writers’ strike, Damon and Ben Affleck reportedly offered to pay the salaries of Kimmel’s staff to help them through the difficult period. Kimmel declined, saying it wasn’t their responsibility but the gesture spoke volumes about their friendship.
Another unforgettable moment came when Kimmel literally saved Damon’s life. During a dinner party at Kimmel’s home, Damon began choking on a pork rib. The situation became so serious that Kimmel feared Damon might die in his house. After failed Heimlich attempts, Kimmel and Damon’s brother found a solution online, slowly eating bread to push the blockage down. The method worked, and Damon was saved.
That incident alone answers are Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel friends better than any interview ever could. Close celebrity friendships often surprise fans, much like the real-life bonds discussed in Patrick Wilson biography, where personal relationships reveal a softer side of Hollywood stars.
Jimmy Kimmel Matt Damon: Why Fans Still Believe the Feud
So why do people still ask are Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon friends? Because the commitment to the bit is extreme. Damon has hijacked Kimmel’s show, pretended to replace him as host, hacked into live interviews, and even appeared disguised as other celebrities just to mess with him.
Kimmel, on the other hand, has mocked Damon at the Oscars, defaced his Hollywood Walk of Fame star on television, and publicly “prayed” that Damon wouldn’t win awards.
Their dedication to the joke is so strong that it blurs the line between comedy and reality, exactly why it works so well.
Are Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel Friends or Frenemies?
Some fans describe them as “frenemies,” but that label doesn’t fully fit. The insults are scripted, but the bond is real. The fact that they trust each other enough to trade such public jabs shows a deep level of comfort and respect.
In interviews, Damon has openly said that the feud “changed the course of both of our lives” and that he’s had an incredible amount of fun keeping it alive. Kimmel has echoed the same sentiment, often calling Damon one of his closest friends when speaking seriously.
So if you’re still wondering are Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon really friends, the answer remains yes without any question.
Why the Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon Feud Still Matters
The Jimmy Kimmel Matt Damon feud is one of the longest-running comedy bits in television history. It’s survived changing audiences, evolving media, and nearly 20 years of late-night TV.
What makes it special is that it’s built on genuine friendship. The jokes land because both men are in on it, enjoy it, and trust each other completely. In an era of manufactured celebrity drama, their feud stands out as something refreshingly honest, even when it looks fake.
Just like many Hollywood friendships and controversies, public jokes can easily be misread — a pattern also seen in stories such as Bob Odenkirk‘s one.
FAQs
Are Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon really friends in real life?
Yes, Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon are genuinely close friends in real life. Their feud is a scripted comedy bit that both have openly confirmed is fake. They attend personal events together, support each other off camera, and have maintained a strong friendship for years.
Why do Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon pretend to hate each other?
The fake feud began as a joke on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2005 and became popular with viewers. Both Kimmel and Damon continued the act because audiences loved it, turning it into one of the longest-running comedy rivalries in late-night TV history.
Final Answer: Are Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon Friends?
To put it simply: yes, Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon are friends. Very good friends. The feud is fake, the insults are scripted, and the rivalry is one long inside joke that just happens to entertain millions.
So the next time you see Jimmy Kimmel cut off Matt Damon mid-sentence or hear Damon call Kimmel a terrible human being on a red carpet, remember the truth. Behind the scenes, this is one of Hollywood’s most genuine and enduring friendships, wrapped in comedy, chaos, and perfectly timed insults.
