Damon Reveals Hollywood Legend He Calls Career 'Goal'
The Oscar winner opens up about which entertainment industry icon represents the ultimate achievement for A-list actors and directors alike.
Matt Damon has built an impressive Hollywood resume. His Oscar-winning breakthrough with Good Will Hunting launched him into collaborations with top-tier directors and blockbuster franchises. Few actors reach such heights. The Jason Bourne star and The Martian lead has earned widespread respect, but he readily acknowledges certain performers operate on a completely different level.
The Master of Both Crafts
Plenty of actors have tried directing. Few have excelled at both like Clint Eastwood. He became the benchmark for dual success in entertainment. George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Mel Gibson, Warren Beatty, Kenneth Branagh, Kevin Costner, Sean Penn, and Woody Allen all earned praise behind and in front of cameras. Many won Academy Awards. But Eastwood's trophy-laden dominance in both arenas sets him apart.
He was already a superstar when he directed his 1971 debut Play Misty for Me. He kept starring in hits while building his filmmaking reputation. Never won an Oscar for acting, but collected four for directing and producing. Still working strong in his 90s.
Learning from a Legend
Unlike his Good Will Hunting collaborator Affleck, Damon shows no directing interest. He writes and produces but avoids the director's chair. That doesn't stop him from viewing Eastwood as inspiration. Working with him on Invictus and Hereafter provided daily lessons.
Speaking to the Orange County Examiner, Damon said he "learned something every day with him" during their partnership. He praised the intangible qualities that made Eastwood a cinema giant in both roles.
"It's just his philosophy on work and how he's managed to be different all the time," Damon explained. "It's the mark of true artist to defy any categorization for six decades in the movie business. To bathe in the glory of that example is a good reason to want to work with him."
The Ultimate Aspiration
Damon isn't a director, but two close friends are. They share his Eastwood admiration. "He is the goal. He is the one who my friends talk about when they talk about where they want to be," the star continued. "Ben and Clooney; Clint has the career they want."
Like Eastwood, the A-list trio "want to believe we can do this at a high level for another four decades." The legend proves it's achievable. It's ambitious considering few Hollywood figures have remained household names for seven decades. But Damon is making solid progress after more than 25 years as an in-demand talent.