Matt Damon Reveals the Hollywood Legend He Aspires To Be

Matt Damon’s journey in the film industry has been nothing short of impressive. From his breakout role in Good Will Hunting, which earned him an Oscar, to working alongside some of the most respected directors and starring in a string of acclaimed films, Damon’s career is the sort many in the business would envy. Despite his achievements, he’s the first to admit there are a few in the industry who stand in a league of their own.

While plenty of actors have tried their hand at directing, few have managed to excel at both crafts quite like Clint Eastwood. Eastwood’s career has become the benchmark for anyone hoping to leave a lasting mark in Hollywood. Names like George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Mel Gibson, Warren Beatty, Kenneth Branagh, Kevin Costner, Sean Penn, and Woody Allen have all found success on both sides of the camera, with some even nabbing Academy Awards. But Eastwood’s ability to become a legend twice over—first as a star, then as a filmmaker—puts him in a different category altogether.

Clint Eastwood: The Gold Standard

Eastwood was already a household name before he ever directed his first film, Play Misty for Me, back in 1971. He kept leading major films while also building a reputation as a director, never letting one side of his career overshadow the other. Although he never took home an Oscar for acting, he’s picked up four for his work behind the scenes and continues to work well into his nineties.

Unlike his long-time mate and Good Will Hunting co-writer Ben Affleck, Damon hasn’t shown much interest in directing. He’s happy to stick to writing and producing, leaving the director’s chair to others. That hasn’t stopped him from looking up to Eastwood, especially after working with him on Invictus and Hereafter. Damon once told the Orange County Examiner that he picked up something new every day while working with Eastwood, and he spoke about the qualities that make Eastwood such a giant in the industry.

“It’s just his philosophy on work and how he’s managed to be different all the time,” Damon said. “It’s the mark of true artist to defy any categorisation for six decades in the film business. To bathe in the glory of that example is a good reason to want to work with him.”

Setting the Bar for Future Generations

Even though Damon isn’t keen on directing himself, two of his closest mates are, and they hold Eastwood in the same high regard. Damon explained,

“He is the goal. He is the one who my friends talk about when they talk about where they want to be,”

adding that both Ben Affleck and George Clooney see Eastwood’s career as the one to aim for. Like Eastwood, Damon and his mates hope to keep working at a high level for decades to come, and Eastwood’s ongoing success proves it’s possible.

It’s a big ask, considering not many in Hollywood have managed to stay relevant for over seventy years. Still, Damon’s already spent more than twenty-five years as a sought-after talent, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.