Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.Photo:Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Matt DamonandBen Affleckhave a long history of working together and an even longerhistory as friends.
The Boston-born besties — who metwhen Affleck was 8 and Damon was 10— started collaborating as early as their teen years, when they were uncredited extras inField of Dreams. They went on to establish themselves as stars individually, playing minor parts or making cameos behind each other’s leading performances.
From their Oscar-winning classic to their lesser-known moments on the same screen, check out all of the projects Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have done together.
01of 14’Animals' (2024)Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.Christopher Polk/Variety via GettyThe childhood confidantes are set to collaborate once again forNetflix’s upcomingkidnapping crime filmAnimals. While Damon is set to star, Affleck will remain behind the camera as director.This is hardly the first time Damon’s worked under his pal’s direction: Long before Affleck called the shots on the set ofAir, he wasdirecting Damon back at their high schoolin Massachusetts.“It mightseemlike the first time he’s directed me,” Damon said during a Q&A forAir, according toIndieWire. The actor added, “I mean, we did high school plays where he was like, ‘Dude, I think you should do it like this.’ “02of 14’Air' (2023)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Air’.Amazon Studios / Courtesy Everett CollectionAffleck directed the 2023 biopicAirand cast himself and his best friend as the leads. The film tells the story of theNike shoe line Air Jordanand how the footwear brand signed Michael Jordan when he was just an NBA rookie.Damon starred as sports marketing exec Sonny Vaccaro, while Affleck played Nike co-founder Phil Knight. They shared the screen with a star-studded cast featuring the likes ofViola Davis,Marlon WayansandJason Bateman.03of 14’The Last Duel' (2021)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘The Last Duel’.20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett CollectionFor the first time sinceGood Will Hunting, the pair joined together to write and star inThe Last Duel, an action-packed period piece set in medieval France. This time, Affleck and Damonbrought in the help of another writer, Oscar nominee Nicole Holofcener.In an interview withEntertainment Tonight, Damon comparedThe Last DueltoGood Will Hunting, explaining that the former has “more perspective.““There are two knights and then there’s Lady Marguerite,” he noted. “So Ben and I wrote the male perspectives and Nicole Holofcener wrote the female perspective. That’s kind of the architecture of that movie.“04of 14’Jay and Silent Bob Reboot' (2019)Matt Damon in ‘Jay and Silent Bob Reboot’.Saban Films / courtesy Everett CollectionKevin Smithreunited with Affleck and Damon in 2019 foranother self-parodying moviefrom Smith’s cinematic universe of characters. Affleck tapped back into his role as Holden McNeil from 1997’sChasing Amy, and Damon reprised the fallen angel Loki from their 1999 movieDogma.05of 14’Project Greenlight' (2001-2015)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Project Greenlight’.Frank Masi / HBO / Courtesy: Everett CollectionThe Hollywood sensations joined forced to bring new talents into the movie-making business on the HBO seriesProject Greenlight. The show focused on first-time filmmakers as they competed to have their debut productions picked up.After a three-season run from 2001 to 2005, Affleck and Damon revived the reality show for a fourth season in 2015.06of 14’Jersey Girl' (2004)Ben Affleck in ‘Jersey Girl’.Miramax/courtesy Everett CollectionIn 2004, Affleck costarred with his then-fiancé (and now-wife, after a nearly two-decade split)Jennifer LopezinJersey Girl, their second film together afterGigli. Damon held only a cameo role in the film as a public relations executive interviewing Affleck’s character for a job.07of 14’The Third Wheel' (2002)Ben Affleck in ‘The Third Wheel’.Miramax/courtesy Everett CollectionAffleck played a supporting role in the 2002 rom-com starringLuke WilsonandDenise Richards. Damon made an uncredited cameo in the flick as an ex-boyfriend of Richards' character.08of 14’Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' (2001)Ben Affleck in ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’.Dimension/courtesy Everett CollectionThe Kevin Smith-directed parody pulled from several of Affleck and Damon’s previous works, including their critically acclaimed parts inGood Will Hunting. During one scene, they film a fake sequel calledGood Will Hunting 2: Hunting Season. Affleck also reprises his part as comic book artist Holden McNeil fromChasing Amy.09of 14’Dogma' (1999)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Dogma’.The unbeatable team costarred as fallen angels in yet another Smith film, the religious satireDogma.10of 14’Good Will Hunting' (1997)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Good Will Hunting’.Miramax/courtesy Everett / Everett CollectionGood Will Huntingremains Damon and Affleck’s biggest accomplishment as a duo. They started writing the screenplay in 1994, and when production began in 1997, the childhood friendscouldn’t believe what they accomplished.In a 2021 interview forGQ, Damon shared how he and Affleck cried on the first day of filming.“Sometimes those moments sneak up on you,” Damon said. “And that was another one of those moments we never thought was going to arrive. To see not only actors, but those actors, saying the stuff that we wrote, was like … f—.“The film was nominated for several awards, including Best Picture, at the 1998 Oscars, and Affleck and Damontriumphed in the Best Screenplay category. Their costar, the lateRobin Williams, won for Best Supporting Actor as well.11of 14’Chasing Amy' (1997)Ben Affleck in ‘Chasing Amy’.CHASING AMY, Ben Affleck, 1997Damon made a cameo in the rom-com that sparked a breakthrough in Affleck’s career. During a dual career retrospective withVanity Fair, the besties explained thatChasing Amydirector Kevin Smith recruited Damon knowing he was pals with the film’s leading man.“I slept on Kevin’s couch, and it was like, ‘You got a buddy, this guy Matt, will he be in it?’ " Affleck remembered, adding that Damon was “better known” than himself at the time. “[Smith] was totally happy to exploit Matt’s stardom for his own benefit, and so was I.“12of 14’Glory Daze' (1995)Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/GettyAffleck starred as the lead in the indie filmGlory Daze, which followed his character Jack as he grapples with graduating from college. Damon played one of Jack’s former roommates in a non-speaking role. The 1995 flick also featuredMatthew McConaughey,Leah ReminiandBrendan Fraserin minor roles.13of 14’School Ties' (1992)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘School Ties’.Maximum Film / Alamy; Myles Aronowitz/Paramount/Kobal/ShutterstockThe duo joined stars likeBrendan FraserandAnthony Rappas competitive prep school students in the1992 dramaSchool Ties. Damon played the rival of Fraser’s character, while Affleck appeared in a smaller role.Just a few years earlier, the up-and-coming starswere teenagers themselves. Though Affleck is two years younger than Damon, they attended the same high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and costarred in school productions.According to Damon’s brother Kyle, however, the two A-listers of today weren’t such hot shots around campus back then. Kyle once told PEOPLE that they “weren’t considered cool kids.” In fact, he said, “Theywere drama geeks.“14of 14’Field of Dreams' (1989)Field of Dreams.AJ Pics / AlamyThe longtime best friends didn’t just grow up together — they also started their careers in tandem. They costarred the first time in the sports fantasy flickField of Dreams, and though both Damon and Affleck played uncredited parts, they still look back fondly on the experience.Damon recalled the period during an appearanceonThe Dan Patrick Showin July 2021.“I bet there were probably 3,000 extras in a big crowd scene when Kevin Costner andJames Earl Jonesare at the baseball game,” he said. “Costner came out and hung out with the extras, and Ben and I went and struck up a conversation with him. And he probably gave us five minutes. He was incredibly generous with his time.”
01of 14’Animals' (2024)Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.Christopher Polk/Variety via GettyThe childhood confidantes are set to collaborate once again forNetflix’s upcomingkidnapping crime filmAnimals. While Damon is set to star, Affleck will remain behind the camera as director.This is hardly the first time Damon’s worked under his pal’s direction: Long before Affleck called the shots on the set ofAir, he wasdirecting Damon back at their high schoolin Massachusetts.“It mightseemlike the first time he’s directed me,” Damon said during a Q&A forAir, according toIndieWire. The actor added, “I mean, we did high school plays where he was like, ‘Dude, I think you should do it like this.’ "
01of 14
‘Animals’ (2024)
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty
Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty
The childhood confidantes are set to collaborate once again forNetflix’s upcomingkidnapping crime filmAnimals. While Damon is set to star, Affleck will remain behind the camera as director.
This is hardly the first time Damon’s worked under his pal’s direction: Long before Affleck called the shots on the set ofAir, he wasdirecting Damon back at their high schoolin Massachusetts.
“It mightseemlike the first time he’s directed me,” Damon said during a Q&A forAir, according toIndieWire. The actor added, “I mean, we did high school plays where he was like, ‘Dude, I think you should do it like this.’ "
02of 14’Air' (2023)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Air’.Amazon Studios / Courtesy Everett CollectionAffleck directed the 2023 biopicAirand cast himself and his best friend as the leads. The film tells the story of theNike shoe line Air Jordanand how the footwear brand signed Michael Jordan when he was just an NBA rookie.Damon starred as sports marketing exec Sonny Vaccaro, while Affleck played Nike co-founder Phil Knight. They shared the screen with a star-studded cast featuring the likes ofViola Davis,Marlon WayansandJason Bateman.
02of 14
‘Air’ (2023)
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Air’.Amazon Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection
Amazon Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection
Affleck directed the 2023 biopicAirand cast himself and his best friend as the leads. The film tells the story of theNike shoe line Air Jordanand how the footwear brand signed Michael Jordan when he was just an NBA rookie.
Damon starred as sports marketing exec Sonny Vaccaro, while Affleck played Nike co-founder Phil Knight. They shared the screen with a star-studded cast featuring the likes ofViola Davis,Marlon WayansandJason Bateman.
03of 14’The Last Duel' (2021)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘The Last Duel’.20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett CollectionFor the first time sinceGood Will Hunting, the pair joined together to write and star inThe Last Duel, an action-packed period piece set in medieval France. This time, Affleck and Damonbrought in the help of another writer, Oscar nominee Nicole Holofcener.In an interview withEntertainment Tonight, Damon comparedThe Last DueltoGood Will Hunting, explaining that the former has “more perspective.““There are two knights and then there’s Lady Marguerite,” he noted. “So Ben and I wrote the male perspectives and Nicole Holofcener wrote the female perspective. That’s kind of the architecture of that movie.”
03of 14
‘The Last Duel’ (2021)
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘The Last Duel’.20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection
20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection
For the first time sinceGood Will Hunting, the pair joined together to write and star inThe Last Duel, an action-packed period piece set in medieval France. This time, Affleck and Damonbrought in the help of another writer, Oscar nominee Nicole Holofcener.
In an interview withEntertainment Tonight, Damon comparedThe Last DueltoGood Will Hunting, explaining that the former has “more perspective.”
“There are two knights and then there’s Lady Marguerite,” he noted. “So Ben and I wrote the male perspectives and Nicole Holofcener wrote the female perspective. That’s kind of the architecture of that movie.”
04of 14’Jay and Silent Bob Reboot' (2019)Matt Damon in ‘Jay and Silent Bob Reboot’.Saban Films / courtesy Everett CollectionKevin Smithreunited with Affleck and Damon in 2019 foranother self-parodying moviefrom Smith’s cinematic universe of characters. Affleck tapped back into his role as Holden McNeil from 1997’sChasing Amy, and Damon reprised the fallen angel Loki from their 1999 movieDogma.
04of 14
‘Jay and Silent Bob Reboot’ (2019)
Matt Damon in ‘Jay and Silent Bob Reboot’.Saban Films / courtesy Everett Collection
Saban Films / courtesy Everett Collection
Kevin Smithreunited with Affleck and Damon in 2019 foranother self-parodying moviefrom Smith’s cinematic universe of characters. Affleck tapped back into his role as Holden McNeil from 1997’sChasing Amy, and Damon reprised the fallen angel Loki from their 1999 movieDogma.
05of 14’Project Greenlight' (2001-2015)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Project Greenlight’.Frank Masi / HBO / Courtesy: Everett CollectionThe Hollywood sensations joined forced to bring new talents into the movie-making business on the HBO seriesProject Greenlight. The show focused on first-time filmmakers as they competed to have their debut productions picked up.After a three-season run from 2001 to 2005, Affleck and Damon revived the reality show for a fourth season in 2015.
05of 14
‘Project Greenlight’ (2001-2015)
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Project Greenlight’.Frank Masi / HBO / Courtesy: Everett Collection
Frank Masi / HBO / Courtesy: Everett Collection
The Hollywood sensations joined forced to bring new talents into the movie-making business on the HBO seriesProject Greenlight. The show focused on first-time filmmakers as they competed to have their debut productions picked up.
After a three-season run from 2001 to 2005, Affleck and Damon revived the reality show for a fourth season in 2015.
06of 14’Jersey Girl' (2004)Ben Affleck in ‘Jersey Girl’.Miramax/courtesy Everett CollectionIn 2004, Affleck costarred with his then-fiancé (and now-wife, after a nearly two-decade split)Jennifer LopezinJersey Girl, their second film together afterGigli. Damon held only a cameo role in the film as a public relations executive interviewing Affleck’s character for a job.
06of 14
‘Jersey Girl’ (2004)
Ben Affleck in ‘Jersey Girl’.Miramax/courtesy Everett Collection
Miramax/courtesy Everett Collection
In 2004, Affleck costarred with his then-fiancé (and now-wife, after a nearly two-decade split)Jennifer LopezinJersey Girl, their second film together afterGigli. Damon held only a cameo role in the film as a public relations executive interviewing Affleck’s character for a job.
07of 14’The Third Wheel' (2002)Ben Affleck in ‘The Third Wheel’.Miramax/courtesy Everett CollectionAffleck played a supporting role in the 2002 rom-com starringLuke WilsonandDenise Richards. Damon made an uncredited cameo in the flick as an ex-boyfriend of Richards' character.
07of 14
‘The Third Wheel’ (2002)
Ben Affleck in ‘The Third Wheel’.Miramax/courtesy Everett Collection
Affleck played a supporting role in the 2002 rom-com starringLuke WilsonandDenise Richards. Damon made an uncredited cameo in the flick as an ex-boyfriend of Richards' character.
08of 14’Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' (2001)Ben Affleck in ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’.Dimension/courtesy Everett CollectionThe Kevin Smith-directed parody pulled from several of Affleck and Damon’s previous works, including their critically acclaimed parts inGood Will Hunting. During one scene, they film a fake sequel calledGood Will Hunting 2: Hunting Season. Affleck also reprises his part as comic book artist Holden McNeil fromChasing Amy.
08of 14
‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’ (2001)
Ben Affleck in ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’.Dimension/courtesy Everett Collection
Dimension/courtesy Everett Collection
The Kevin Smith-directed parody pulled from several of Affleck and Damon’s previous works, including their critically acclaimed parts inGood Will Hunting. During one scene, they film a fake sequel calledGood Will Hunting 2: Hunting Season. Affleck also reprises his part as comic book artist Holden McNeil fromChasing Amy.
09of 14’Dogma' (1999)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Dogma’.The unbeatable team costarred as fallen angels in yet another Smith film, the religious satireDogma.
09of 14
‘Dogma’ (1999)
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Dogma’.
The unbeatable team costarred as fallen angels in yet another Smith film, the religious satireDogma.
10of 14’Good Will Hunting' (1997)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Good Will Hunting’.Miramax/courtesy Everett / Everett CollectionGood Will Huntingremains Damon and Affleck’s biggest accomplishment as a duo. They started writing the screenplay in 1994, and when production began in 1997, the childhood friendscouldn’t believe what they accomplished.In a 2021 interview forGQ, Damon shared how he and Affleck cried on the first day of filming.“Sometimes those moments sneak up on you,” Damon said. “And that was another one of those moments we never thought was going to arrive. To see not only actors, but those actors, saying the stuff that we wrote, was like … f—.“The film was nominated for several awards, including Best Picture, at the 1998 Oscars, and Affleck and Damontriumphed in the Best Screenplay category. Their costar, the lateRobin Williams, won for Best Supporting Actor as well.
10of 14
‘Good Will Hunting’ (1997)
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘Good Will Hunting’.Miramax/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection
Miramax/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection
Good Will Huntingremains Damon and Affleck’s biggest accomplishment as a duo. They started writing the screenplay in 1994, and when production began in 1997, the childhood friendscouldn’t believe what they accomplished.
In a 2021 interview forGQ, Damon shared how he and Affleck cried on the first day of filming.
“Sometimes those moments sneak up on you,” Damon said. “And that was another one of those moments we never thought was going to arrive. To see not only actors, but those actors, saying the stuff that we wrote, was like … f—.”
The film was nominated for several awards, including Best Picture, at the 1998 Oscars, and Affleck and Damontriumphed in the Best Screenplay category. Their costar, the lateRobin Williams, won for Best Supporting Actor as well.
11of 14’Chasing Amy' (1997)Ben Affleck in ‘Chasing Amy’.CHASING AMY, Ben Affleck, 1997Damon made a cameo in the rom-com that sparked a breakthrough in Affleck’s career. During a dual career retrospective withVanity Fair, the besties explained thatChasing Amydirector Kevin Smith recruited Damon knowing he was pals with the film’s leading man.“I slept on Kevin’s couch, and it was like, ‘You got a buddy, this guy Matt, will he be in it?’ " Affleck remembered, adding that Damon was “better known” than himself at the time. “[Smith] was totally happy to exploit Matt’s stardom for his own benefit, and so was I.”
11of 14
‘Chasing Amy’ (1997)
Ben Affleck in ‘Chasing Amy’.CHASING AMY, Ben Affleck, 1997
CHASING AMY, Ben Affleck, 1997
Damon made a cameo in the rom-com that sparked a breakthrough in Affleck’s career. During a dual career retrospective withVanity Fair, the besties explained thatChasing Amydirector Kevin Smith recruited Damon knowing he was pals with the film’s leading man.
“I slept on Kevin’s couch, and it was like, ‘You got a buddy, this guy Matt, will he be in it?’ " Affleck remembered, adding that Damon was “better known” than himself at the time. “[Smith] was totally happy to exploit Matt’s stardom for his own benefit, and so was I.”
12of 14’Glory Daze' (1995)Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/GettyAffleck starred as the lead in the indie filmGlory Daze, which followed his character Jack as he grapples with graduating from college. Damon played one of Jack’s former roommates in a non-speaking role. The 1995 flick also featuredMatthew McConaughey,Leah ReminiandBrendan Fraserin minor roles.
12of 14
‘Glory Daze’ (1995)
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Affleck starred as the lead in the indie filmGlory Daze, which followed his character Jack as he grapples with graduating from college. Damon played one of Jack’s former roommates in a non-speaking role. The 1995 flick also featuredMatthew McConaughey,Leah ReminiandBrendan Fraserin minor roles.
13of 14’School Ties' (1992)Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘School Ties’.Maximum Film / Alamy; Myles Aronowitz/Paramount/Kobal/ShutterstockThe duo joined stars likeBrendan FraserandAnthony Rappas competitive prep school students in the1992 dramaSchool Ties. Damon played the rival of Fraser’s character, while Affleck appeared in a smaller role.Just a few years earlier, the up-and-coming starswere teenagers themselves. Though Affleck is two years younger than Damon, they attended the same high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and costarred in school productions.According to Damon’s brother Kyle, however, the two A-listers of today weren’t such hot shots around campus back then. Kyle once told PEOPLE that they “weren’t considered cool kids.” In fact, he said, “Theywere drama geeks.”
13of 14
‘School Ties’ (1992)
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in ‘School Ties’.Maximum Film / Alamy; Myles Aronowitz/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
Maximum Film / Alamy; Myles Aronowitz/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
The duo joined stars likeBrendan FraserandAnthony Rappas competitive prep school students in the1992 dramaSchool Ties. Damon played the rival of Fraser’s character, while Affleck appeared in a smaller role.
Just a few years earlier, the up-and-coming starswere teenagers themselves. Though Affleck is two years younger than Damon, they attended the same high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and costarred in school productions.
According to Damon’s brother Kyle, however, the two A-listers of today weren’t such hot shots around campus back then. Kyle once told PEOPLE that they “weren’t considered cool kids.” In fact, he said, “Theywere drama geeks.”
14of 14’Field of Dreams' (1989)Field of Dreams.AJ Pics / AlamyThe longtime best friends didn’t just grow up together — they also started their careers in tandem. They costarred the first time in the sports fantasy flickField of Dreams, and though both Damon and Affleck played uncredited parts, they still look back fondly on the experience.Damon recalled the period during an appearanceonThe Dan Patrick Showin July 2021.“I bet there were probably 3,000 extras in a big crowd scene when Kevin Costner andJames Earl Jonesare at the baseball game,” he said. “Costner came out and hung out with the extras, and Ben and I went and struck up a conversation with him. And he probably gave us five minutes. He was incredibly generous with his time.”
14of 14
‘Field of Dreams’ (1989)
Field of Dreams.AJ Pics / Alamy
AJ Pics / Alamy
The longtime best friends didn’t just grow up together — they also started their careers in tandem. They costarred the first time in the sports fantasy flickField of Dreams, and though both Damon and Affleck played uncredited parts, they still look back fondly on the experience.
Damon recalled the period during an appearanceonThe Dan Patrick Showin July 2021.
“I bet there were probably 3,000 extras in a big crowd scene when Kevin Costner andJames Earl Jonesare at the baseball game,” he said. “Costner came out and hung out with the extras, and Ben and I went and struck up a conversation with him. And he probably gave us five minutes. He was incredibly generous with his time.”
source: people.com
