At a Glance
- Matt Damon recalled a brief, one-line role in the 1988 film Mystic Pizza.
- He said the experience, filmed over 3 nights, was a highlight early in his career.
- Damon and lifelong friend Ben Affleck discussed the moment on the Jan. 12 episode of The Howard Stern Show.
- Why it matters: The story illustrates how even a single line can shape an actor’s confidence and future success.
Matt Damon’s first screen appearance was a single, memorable line in a 1988 movie that left him thrilled and eager to keep acting. In a recent interview on the Jan. 12 episode of The Howard Stern Show, the 55-year-old shared the details of that early experience and how it helped launch his career.
A Brief Moment in 1988
Damon’s debut came in Mystic Pizza, a modestly successful film that also helped launch Julia Roberts’ career. He was seated at a large dinner table with Roberts and other actors, and his only line was, “Mom do you want my green stuff?” He said the shoot took 3 nights because the scene involved a lot of coverage and a bustling set.
During the shoot, Damon recalled feeling “so excited, feeling like I can’t believe that I’m here. All the lights, the crew, the whole thing felt like I knew I was where I wanted to be.” He added, “I loved everything about it.”
The Howard Stern Conversation
Stern asked Damon whether it was harder to deliver a single line than a monologue, noting the pressure of performing in front of seasoned actors. Damon answered that a one-day role was “the hardest thing to do” for an actor, citing the difficulty of making a lasting impression in a brief appearance.
Stern also inquired whether Damon considered the experience “horrible.” Damon laughed and said, “No.” He explained that he had been excited and that the brief role was a stepping stone.
Affleck, who was 53 at the time, agreed with Stern’s observation. He said, “I’ve seen that clip, I think, and Matt is so much better an actor than that.” Affleck noted that Damon had a “self-consciousness” in the scene.
Reflections on a One-Line Role
Later, Damon recalled a similar situation in The Adjustment Bureau (2011). He described a cameo by a maitre-d who was cut from the final film but left a strong impression on him and co-star Emily Blunt. Damon said they both recognized the actor’s talent and that the actor turned out to be Pedro Pascal.
“Just his presence, we both recognized it immediately,” Damon said. The anecdote underscores how even brief performances can resonate with actors.
Later Career Highlights
After Mystic Pizza, Damon continued to take small roles. He appeared as an extra in Field of Dreams (1989) and in School Ties (1992). These parts were stepping stones to the breakthrough that came with Good Will Hunting (1997), a film he co-wrote and starred in with Affleck. The duo won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
The success of Good Will Hunting cemented Damon’s status as a leading actor and screenwriter. His early experiences, including the one-line role, shaped his approach to acting and collaboration.
Friendship with Ben Affleck
In a video for Netflix earlier this month, Damon reflected on their friendship. He said, “We were both obsessed with making movies and acting from an early age, which definitely kind of linked us up.” He added that growing up in Cambridge, Mass., outside Boston, “was kind of a weird thing in retrospect,” because “there wasn’t even an option.” Affleck agreed, noting that they were “fucking weird kids.”
The conversation highlighted how their shared passion and early experiences, even the smallest roles, fostered a lasting partnership that propelled both careers.
Key Takeaways
- A brief, one-line role can spark confidence and set the stage for future success.
- Early career experiences, even in small parts, influence an actor’s approach to performance.
- Long-standing collaborations, such as that between Damon and Affleck, often stem from shared beginnings.
- Reflecting on past roles provides insight into how actors develop their craft.
Matt Damon’s story shows that every line, no matter how small, can leave a lasting impact on an actor’s journey.
