Ben Affleck Revives the Long-Running Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon Feud with a Sharp-Witted Note
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The enduring mock feud between Jimmy Kimmel, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck took center stage once again on Tuesday night, as Affleck delivered a pointed yet humorous message on behalf of Damon during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The playful rivalry, which has spanned more than two decades, remains a beloved staple of late-night television and pop culture.
The origins of the faux feud trace back to 2003, when Kimmel jokingly ended his show with the now-iconic line, “Apologies to Matt Damon, but we ran out of time.” The joke was initially a spontaneous quip to salvage a disappointing episode, as Kimmel later explained in an interview with NPR. However, the gag quickly became a recurring motif, with Kimmel repeatedly teasing Damon by cutting him off before he could appear on the show.
Matt Damon, who had never met Kimmel before the joke aired, acknowledged on The Bill Simmons Podcast that the moment “changed the rest of [their] lives.” The two stars leaned into the bit with good humor, culminating in a 2006 episode where Damon was introduced as a guest only to be abruptly cut off again, sparking a staged on-air outburst.
Over the years, the trio has escalated the prank war with memorable moments, including the Emmy-winning song “I’m Fucking Matt Damon,” performed by Sarah Silverman, Kimmel’s then-girlfriend, and the subsequent “I’m Fucking Ben Affleck” music video. These lighthearted jabs have cemented the trio’s camaraderie and delighted fans with their blend of humor and genuine friendship.
Tuesday’s latest chapter saw Affleck reading a letter from Damon addressed to Kimmel, congratulating the host on his Critics Choice Award win. Affleck theatrically interrupted Kimmel as he reached for the note, instead reading aloud, “Dear Jimmy, congratulations on the Critics Choice award. You should have gotten canceled a long time ago, maybe you would have got sympathy then, and so you could have won more than one minor movie award, like me.” The jab was met with laughter and playful banter, with Kimmel tearing up the note and quipping, “Thank you for bringing that, and I’m sorry you have to even know him.”
This latest exchange comes on the heels of Kimmel’s show being temporarily pulled off air last September following backlash over comments about Charlie Kirk’s death. The show was reinstated a week later, and Kimmel’s Critics Choice win marked a triumphant return to form. Damon’s cheeky note, delivered by Affleck, was a fitting continuation of their long-running jest.
The trio’s dynamic extends beyond the stage. Kimmel recently recounted a harrowing incident in which Damon nearly choked on a pork rib during a dinner at his home. Kimmel joked to Variety about the potential legal implications had Damon died under his roof, highlighting the genuine affection beneath their comedic rivalry.
Fans have embraced the ongoing feud, with social media and forums buzzing about Affleck’s willingness to participate and the enduring friendship between Damon and Kimmel. As one Reddit user noted, “Ben always being game to participate in this ‘fight’ is hilarious,” while others eagerly anticipate more banter during the upcoming press tour for “Odyssey.”
For those interested in the full history of this beloved late-night saga, the BuzzFeed archives provide a detailed timeline of the key moments that have defined the Damon-Kimmel-Affleck relationship over the past 23 years.
As the trio continues to blur the lines between friendship and rivalry, audiences can look forward to more laughter and surprises from one of Hollywood’s most enduring comedic partnerships.
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