Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are actors, screenwriters, and producers from Cambridge, Massachusetts who have frequently collaborated throughout their careers. The duo first gained recognition in 1997 after they were awarded the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, which they wrote and starred in together. Since then, the two have kept a close public relationship, often working on projects and establishing businesses with one another.[1]

Meeting

The pair met in their native Cambridge when Affleck was 8 and Damon age 10. By the late 1980s, the two decided on pursuing a career in cinema and opened a shared bank account in order to save money for auditions, depositing money either of them earned from early roles into the account.[2] In 1989, the duo worked on their first project together, Field of Dreams, where they were cast as extras.

Relationship

Good Will Hunting

While studying at Harvard University, Damon was tasked with writing a script, in which he asked Affleck to assist in presenting to his class. After dropping out, Damon moved into Affleck's apartment in Los Angeles and the two expanded on the assignment, writing what would become Good Will Hunting.[3]

Good Will Hunting was met with widespread critical acclaim, with critics praising both Affleck and Damon's performances and writing. The film went on to win the pair their first Oscars, for Best Original Screenplay and, in 2014, was featured on The Hollywood Reporter's "100 Favorite Films" list.[4]

Other Films

As of 2023, the pair has collaborated on a total of 9 films, many of which received overwhelmingly positive reviews. In alignment with their work with Miramax and Kevin Smith, they have occasionally parodied their past roles.

Title Release Date Production Studio(s) Rotten Tomatoes Notes
Field of Dreams May 5, 1989 Gordon Company 88% First professional collaboration, both uncredited
School Ties September 18, 1992 Jaffe/Lansing Production 60%
Good Will Hunting December 5, 1997 Be Gentleman 97% Written by Affleck and Damon
Chasing Amy April 4, 1997 View Askew Productions 87%
Dogma November 12, 1999 View Askew Productions and STKstudio 67%
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back August 24, 2001 Dimension Films, Miramax, and View Askew Productions 52% Both play a satirical version of themselves, parodying a scene from Good Will Hunting.
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot October 15, 2019 View Askew Productions, Miramax, Destro Films, Mewesings, SMODCO, Hideout Pictures, Intercut Capital, and Skit Bags Entertainment 64% Affleck satirically reprises his role as Holden McNeil, while Damon makes references to his role as Jason Bourne
The Last Duel October 15, 2021 20th Century Studios, Scott Free Productions, Pearl Street Films, and TSG Entertainment 85% Screenplay by Affleck, Damon, and Nicole Holofcener. Only Pearl Street Films production featuring both company founders.
Air April 5, 2023 Amazon Studios, Skydance Sports, Artists Equity, and Mandalay Pictures 93% Directed by Affleck. Co-produced by the duo's new independent venture Artists Equity

Business Ventures

In 2012, Affleck and Damon established Pearl Street Films, a film and production company based at Warner Bros. Studios.[5] After 10 years, the company was dissolved in 2022 with the final production being The Last Duel, a film starring the two founders. The duo instead shifted their focus onto their own independent film company, Artists Equity, which was founded in 2022. In 2023, the new studio released its first film, Air, which was directed by Affleck and starring them both, with Damon playing the lead role.

Public Image

As a result of their shared upbringing and frequent collaboration, Affleck and Damon's friendship has garnered a lot of public attention, with Us Weekly dubbing it "a bromance worth celebrating."[6] The two frequently mention one another in interviews and other public forums, including hosting political fundraisers together.[7] On his relationship with Damon, Affleck said: "This friendship has been essential and defining and so important to me in my life. There were a few critical times, which are private and I don’t want to share, but where [Damon's] support was so profoundly meaningful to me that I don’t think I would’ve been able to be successful without it.”[8] Referencing his experience working with Affleck again on The Last Duel, Damon said "Why aren't we doing this more often? And getting into your 50s you just go: if we don't make it a priority, it just isn't going to happen.",[9] seemingly alluding to more collaborations between the two coming in the future.

Marketing

The Damon–Affleck relationship is referenced in one of the 2023 Dunkin' Donuts commercials featuring Affleck.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "A Comprehensive Guide to Every Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Film". Time. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  2. ↑ Sharf, Zack (2023-03-23). "Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Shared a Bank Account to Fund Their Acting Auditions: 'It Was Unusual, but We Needed the Money'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  3. ↑ "New Again: Ben Affleck". Interview Magazine. 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  4. ↑ T. H. R. Staff (2014-06-25). "Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  5. ↑ Buell, Spencer (2018-03-13). "Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Production Company Will Adopt "Inclusion Riders"". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  6. ↑ Staff, Us Weekly (2023-04-05). "Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Bromance Through the Years". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  7. ↑ Daunt, Tina (2012-05-22). "Ben Affleck-Hosted Fundraiser for Elizabeth Warren Draws Big Stars, Big Bucks". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  8. ↑ January 11, Leah Greenblatt; EST, 2022 at 12:00 PM. "Ben Affleck, at the top of his game". EW.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ "A duo once more, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon come up for 'Air'". AP News. 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  10. ↑ "Ben Affleck Gets Mistaken for Matt Damon in New Dunkin' Commercial (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
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