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a forum for sharing news among Matt fans.

Updated 1/3/2003

Happy New Year!

1/3/03

From a Big Matt Fan:
Thanks again, everyone, for another great year of Matt gossip. Can you believe it's been 5 years since Good Will Hunting came out? We've seen some spectacular highs and some depressing lows, a baffling and bewildering assortment of rumors, and of course, the persistent and perpetual appearance of The Black Sweater.
Though we've all had our own private lives to deal with, our little Matt obsession has been a highly entertaining diversion, thanks to all your dedication.
Here's to an even better 2003, for Matt and for all of you!
BTW: I was watching the movie review show "Hot Ticket" and they previewed next week's show which features performances that should have received Oscar nominations, but did not. They showed Matt in TTMR, so it may be one to watch. As you know, last month, Entertainment Weekly also included Matt's Ripley performance on their list of performances that Oscar snubbed. Guess people are looking back and remembering what should have been...
From Felicity:
- From a summary of each studio's performance in 2002, from the LA Daily News:
  Universal Pictures experienced a drop from second place in 2001 to fifth. Its two biggest hits of '02 were the Matt Damon action picture "The Bourne Identity," which earned a healthy $121.6 million, and Eminem's feature debut, "8 Mile," which surprised the industry with a $51.2 million opening weekend and a cumulative gross of $114.1 million to date. The studio's next-best performers released in 2002 were solid hits -- "Red Dragon" at $93 million and "The Scorpion King" at $90.4 million -- but didn't have quite enough steam to cross the $100 million barrier.
  "It wasn't a record-breaker, but I believe this was a great year for Universal," said Rocco. "As a major, we had the fewest number of films released, and when you look at the profitability, we were consistent."
  The biggest black mark for Universal was the abysmal performance of "The Truth About Charlie," which was a major box-office flop with a domestic gross of $5.3 million.
- Bourne finished as the 19th most successful film of the year with $121 million (Sum of all Fears was one slot below with $118 million). An amazing result.
- Matt's episode of Will & Grace aired in my city for the first time, but the whole final scene (group choir, confrontation with Jack) was not included. How is it shown in the US? I know it was a "super-sized" episode, but I wouldn't have expected a major scene to be cut.

1/2/03

From our ever-reliable Felicity:
- End of year greetings everyone!
- How's this for one of the most gorgeous pics of Matt I've ever seen (but Odessa does look to be aged about 15). From nysocialdiary.com and taken at the Kenny Gordon Foundation Benefit (Confessions movie and auction), where the couple allegedly revealed they were engaged: here (Photo also shown as today's feature pic).
  Story at here.
- From backstage.com, notice about a new program in development at LivePlanet:
  LivePlanet is 'L.A.' Bound
  By Nellie Andreeva
  Following their collaboration on the short-lived interactive drama "Push, Nevada" this fall, ABC and Touchstone TV are back in business with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's LivePlanet. This time around, the LivePlanet principals, including Sean Bailey and Chris Moore, have set their sights on the City of Angels. The new project, "Los Angeles," is described as a one-hour drama about nine strangers whose lives become interconnected through random events. Zack Helm is writing the script for the show, which is in the early stages of development. Bailey is spearheading the project for LivePlanet and will serve as an executive producer alongside Moore and Helm. Helm's writing credits include the upcoming feature "Sector Seven" from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies. Among other projects, LivePlanet is working with HBO and Miramax TV on the second installment of "Project Greenlight," the reality series revolving around aspiring filmmakers.
- Another story about the "Los Angeles" show : here.
- A story on early press reactions to "Gerry", from the NY Observer: here
- "Confessions of a dangerous mind" is out in limited release (LA/NY) from tomorrow.
And from Bec:
This is from the Melbourne paper, The Sunday Age. It's a quote from The Panel host (Matt was a guest while here) Tom Gleisner, about the highs and lows of the show this year.
"Another personal highlight was Matt Damon, who totally shattered the image of spoilt young actors on tour by simply being a genuine, unaffected, interesting bloke."

12/27/02
More good finds from Felicity:

...(Let's) hope for a satisfying and productive year ahead, with hopefully challenges for Matt greater than a Farrelly Brothers movie.
The "denial" story on EW is at here, With a good pic from the Sydney premiere of Bourne: here.
Matt was on ET Wednesday in a really old video (circa "Rounders") promoting "It's a wonderful life" on Theatrevision, where popular movies are given full voiceovers for the blind and partially sighted.
The process is described here.
From the Boston Herald's Inside Track:
Photo at here
Hollywood It Boy Matt Damon, left, and a couple of pals from Cambridge Rindge & Latin rapped about racism and diversity in the WB56 studios the other day for a segment to air on the station's `Day of Harmony' special on Feb. 27. The three former classmates (that's actress Fanshen Cox and R & L teacher Jamal Prince, not shown) discussed how their high school embraced the rainbow and in doing so, churned out more tolerant and understanding individuals. Moderating the taped round-table was Matt's mum, Nancy Carlsson-Paige, a founder of Lesley College's master's degree program in conflict resolution and peaceable schools. Ya think she's proud of her kid? (Photo courtesy of WB56)
From a Melbourne paper (the Herald-Sun) and their review of 2002:
EARNING a big thumbs up from us during their visits to Melbourne were several laid-back and friendly international stars. Heading the list was Hollywood golden boy Matt Damon, who disproved the theory that all Tinseltown types were demanding and had huge entourages. Damon travelled light during his promotional visit for spy thriller The Bourne Identity, bringing only girlfriend Odessa Whitmire and her mother for the trip. The Oscar winner was a sport, going out of his way to make time for his many fans and happily heading to a pub for us so we could get a shot of him pulling a beer
Here's an excerpt from an old Megan Mullally (cast member on "Will & Grace) interview from Next:
You all are notorious for having such a good time on the set. Does that make it strange when you have guest stars coming in? Oh, I think they like it more, because everybody's so friendly. It probably makes them feel more at ease. But Cher... Nobody knows Cher. It's not like she's ever been here or we've really talked to her. There's no interaction. Everybody else is totally normal and they come and they rehearse. But Cher gets, like, flown in and dropped off by like a helicopter onto her spot, and we roll the cameras and then they lift her back up again into the clouds.
So who have been your favorites? Matt Damon was really funny on the show, and he's a really nice guy.
The W&G producers have also stated separately that the episode with Matt is the best they've had so far with a celeb guest-star.

12/26/02

Lots of goodies from Felicity -- I thank many others who sent in similar items:
- Some pics from the Confessions charity screening and party:
  With Miramax exec Jon Gordon, and here.
  Thumbnail pics with Odessa: here, and here.
- Latest gossip from the Sun (UK):
  J-Lo cancels wedding after bust-up with best man Matt
  J-LO�s �1million Valentine�s Day wedding to BEN AFFLECK is off � because of the diva�s bitter feud with his best pal MATT DAMON.
  Pals say Jennifer had a blazing row with Matt, who was supposed to be best man, after finding out he tried to talk Ben out of marrying her.
  A source says: "They still love each other and want to get married some day � but it won�t happen on Febuary 14.
  "Jen feels like there are three of them in the relationship and is terrified Matt will poison Ben against her."
- Here's a rarity: pictures of Matt and Odessa where both of them look happy!! Taken from the Confessions after-party in LA last week - the photos are in a series: here, here, here,and here.
  And another photo of Odessa at the Confessions party in NY: here.
- I found most of the photos above at a new site that's worth checking out - a variation of wireimage. http://www.filmmagic.com/.
- From Boston Herald's Inside Track:
  Damon dad says Good Will isn't Hunting for bride yet
  by Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa
  Friday, December 20, 2002
  Don't start searching for the bridal registry, because no, Cambridge homey Matt Damon is not engaged! And we hear there probably won't be a little robin's egg blue box under galpal Odessa Whitmire's Christmas tree.
  Rumors flew that ``The Bourne Identity'' stud and his 27-year-old steady were headed down the aisle right behind Matt's best bud, Ben Affleck, and his bootylicious bride-to-be Jennifer Lopez. But it ain't so.
  ``No, he's not engaged,'' Matt's dad, Kent Damon, told us. ``Everyone's writing that he is and all these people are coming up and congratulating me. But marriage isn't in the picture right now.''
  Well, what about a Christmas engagement, dad? What gal wouldn't want a little something from Tiffany's in her stocking?
  ``He's dating a wonderful woman,'' said Damon pere, ``but he's got too much on his plate at the moment to think about marriage.''
  In fact, Matt's organizer is so jammed, he can only make it home to Cambridge for about three hours over the holidays. The family's going down to New York to spend Christmas at his digs.
  Damon has been dating Odessa - who used to be Ben Affleck's personal assistant - a lot longer than Ben's been dating J. Lo. Which, of course, sparked the engagement rumors. And Matt said he feels bad denying them.
  He told the syndicated TV show ``Extra'' that he feels guilty every time he says ``We're not engaged'' because ``it sounds like an indictment of her.''
  As for Ben and J. Lo., Kent Damon said she's busy planning a concert tour to promote her new album, ``This Is Me . . . Then'' so they have not made any wedding plans as far as he knows. Do stay tuned . . . .
- From Time's list of the year's top TV shows:
  10. PROJECT GREENLIGHT (HBO)
  If you loved the TV show stay the hell away from the movie! Giving a Cinderella director a chance to shoot an indie film, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and company revealed the machinations and love that go into even the most disaster-blighted flicks.
- The episode of "A Wedding Story" 'starring' Matt's Harvard room-mate, and where Matt attended the ceremony, will be aired on TLC January 16.
- From the Chicago Sun-Times:
  WHAT A TRIANGLE! The story that Matt Damon is opposed to best pal Ben Affleck marrying Jennifer Lopez is being denied by everyone concerned. A story in the London Sun claimed J. Lo canceled wedding plans after learning Damon was trying to convince his fellow Oscar winner to dump Lopez.
  Trust me, folks, this story is a total crock--a tale as tall as the John Hancock Center.
- The NY Post is reporting that Matt is now engaged, officially: http://www.pagesix.com/celebritynews/51975.htm
  DONE �HUNTING': DAMON TYING THE KNOT
  By VICTORIA GOTTI
  Actor Matt Damon's next project could be wedding plans.
  The "Good Will Hunting" hunk announced last week at a star-studded gala that he and Odessa Whitmire, Ben Affleck's former personal assistant, are getting hitched.
  The couple showed up arm-in-arm to a New York benefit hosted by actor-director George Clooney and Miramax producer Jon Gordon on Wednesday night and soon broke the news to friends as Whitmire's 3-carat diamond sparkled.
  Damon met Whitmire, 27, in September 2001, when Affleck, Damon's longtime buddy, checked into rehab.
  While Damon has never had trouble talking about his affection for Whitmire, he and his rep have shot down months of engagement rumors.
  "I'm not engaged," Damon, who dated Minnie Driver and Winona Ryder, told The Post this past June.
  "I have no plans to get married or have kids. I've got my nephews. That's about all the responsibility I can handle right now," he said.
  Sources told Page Six a month ago the couple were tying the knot, but Damon's rep "[didn't] know anything about that."
  But now Damon has followed Affleck's engagement to Jennifer Lopez with his own.
  Before the end of Wednesday night's benefit, which raised over $200,000 for the Kenny Gordon Foundation, Damon, 32, said he was retiring his black book, buxom babes and staunch bachelor ways.
  While Damon was tight-lipped about when or where the marriage will happen, one source said the ceremony wouldn't take place until Affleck and Lopez exchange their vows - which is expected to happen sooner than later.
  Last month, Lopez said in a televised interview that Affleck got down on one knee, popped the question and she answered, "Yes." Affleck and Lopez met last year on the movie set of "Gigli."
- Some gossip from "Woman's Day" magazine in a story titled 'Winona's on suicide watch' - gist is that she's never recovered from Johnny Depp:
  After years of those ill-fated flings, in 1998 she met 'The Bourne Identity' star Matt Damon. They shared a house and, according to long-time friend Angie Bartlett, Winona saw "a glimmer of Johnny" in Matt. I often saw her out with Matt and would ask her what he was like. She laughed that it bugged him the way she'd say, "Johnny would do this, Johnny would do that." Matt would say to her matter of factly, "But Johnny's gone." The problem was, he wasn't gone - in Winona's eyes.
  Disillusioned Matt hung in for two years until March 2000, reluctant to split with Winona because of her unstable state.
  "Matt held back because he knew Winona was very fragile and vulnerable," says a producer friend. "She took pills as if they were M&Ms. He told me, 'She's just my type.' But Matt couldn't take her Jekyll and Hude behaviour. One minute she'd be rational, the next a wacko berating him and screaming abuse."
  [Years later] Within weeks, Winona learnt that Matt was parading his new girlfriend Odessa Whitmire around Hollywood. It was one blow too many. Just three weeks after Matt and Odessa went public, the security guards were dragging Winona out of Saks.
- An EW story on the best reality series planned for next season, including PGL: here
- The engagement has been denied, yet again. I really wish the writers would do a little research and get their facts right - a few actually claim Matt and Odessa met at Ben's rehab facility. From AP:
  Matt Damon denies engagement rumors
  (12-23) 18:14 PST LOS ANGELES (AP) --
  Rumors of Matt Damon's engagement have been greatly exaggerated, according to the actor's publicist, who says he and Odessa Whitmire are only dating.
  "The rumor that he's getting engaged has been fabricated over the past couple of weeks, but it's not true," Damon's publicist, Jennifer Allen, said Monday.
  According to one rumor, the "Saving Private Ryan" star told friends he and Whitmire had gotten engaged last week.
  "He is dating Ms. Whitmire," Allen said. "But he is not engaged."
  The couple met when Whitmire was working as an assistant to Damon's friend and "Good Will Hunting" co-star, Ben Affleck.
- Most of this would appear to be false, from the Chicago Sun-Times:
  THE RING THING: Congrats to Oscar winner Matt Damon, who is taking a page from best buddy Ben Affleck and getting engaged. Damon was overheard by the New York Post telling pals at a big New York gala last week that he and girlfriend Odessa Whitmire�Affleck�s former personal assistant�were making it official. Whitmire is sporting quite the gorgeous 3-carat diamond, which may pale next to Jennifer Lopez�s pink diamond ��skating rink,�� but is still very nice, just the same. The couple met under very trying circumstances�in September, 2001, when Affleck (with Damon�s help) checked himself into the Promises rehab clinic in Malibu, Calif. Industry sources say that Damon�s initial attraction to Whitmire centered on his respect for how she helped support his lifelong best friend in those difficult days. The romance grew from that friendship.
  They have been openly public about their relationship for nearly a year, but up to now have denied all engagement rumors.
  There is no date set, though it is assumed Damon and Whitmire won�t walk down the aisle until Affleck and J. Lo exchange their vows�widely thought to be happening sometime later this year.
- From the Boston Globe, another update on filming for "Stuck on you" - maybe they're looking at Rockport for the whole shoot?
  Scouting Rockport for one film
  By Carol Beggy and Stephanie Stoughton, Globe Staff, 12/24/2002
  HOPING FOR A ROCKPORT LANDING A crew from the production company of the Brothers Farrelly - that would be Bobby and Peter - have been out scouting in Rockport, where the writing-producing-directing guys hope to film their next comic adventure, ''Stuck on You.'' The movie, much in the vein of the brothers' previous efforts, will star Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear as conjoined twins. A crew was up there late last week, and, with the needed approvals from the Rockport Board of Selectmen, filming will begin in February. ''They need to get the town's OK, but it's winter, and this will be a great project for the area, so we're hopeful,'' said Robin Dawson, the head of the Massachusetts Film Bureau and a Rockport native. Dawson, who headed up the state's film agency until it was zeroed out of the budget last summer, said her two-person private operation has been helping field the scouting requests. ''We've been busy,'' said Dawson, who tapped the local film community and Hollywood types to create the private film bureau. ''We're going to be talking to more of the business community so that we can keep the work coming in.''
- A collection of good Matt photos, mostly very familiar: here
B. wrote:
I found this picture in the premiere issue of Show People. Here is the article that goes along with it:

12/17/02

Kelly ( MattDamonFanPage.com, MattDamonForum.com) wrote:
french website CineMovies has posted a clip from the movie Gerry. You can watch it here.
Also, I've started a Gerry thread on my message board where you can see pictures from the movie, read reviews, and share thoughts on the movie. The thread is located here
From Felicity:
- From the NY Post - nice familiar pic with the story: here
  We hear . . .
  THAT George Clooney, Matt Damon and Miramax producer Jon Gordon will co-host a special screening of "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" tonight to benefit the Kenny Gordon Foundation and a party after at Metronome, where the top auction item will be a golf outing with Damon, Clooney and producer Jerry Weintraub.
- There's one pic of Matt at the LA Confessions premiere (not quite looking his best, but the ring and bracelet are again on display), from a Czech photo site at here
- A Julia Roberts fansite was reporting a separate New York premiere for Confessions on 19 December, but I haven't seen any other references to it.
- Matt's episode on Bernie Mac is repeated tonight (Wednesday).
- From the Boston Herald's Inside Track - looks like they've settled for Miami as a compromise instead of LA or Hawaii. There's no information yet on the Florida Film Commission sites.
- From Jeanette Wells' column at MSNBC:
  Damon's just dating
  Sandra Bullock has been spreading rumors that Matt Damon is engaged to his personal assistant. But Damon�s spokeswoman says they�re bunk. While promoting �Two Weeks Notice,� her new flick with Hugh Grant, Bullock told reporters that her �Force of Nature� co-star Ben Affleck probably hates the uproar that his engagement to J. Lo has caused. �Ben doesn�t like publicity,� Bullock told the Calgary Sun. �I know he�d much rather have had it play out like Matt Damon�s engagement to Odessa.� Damon has been dating Odessa Whitmire, Ben Affleck�s assistant, for two years, but his spokeswoman says rumors of their engagement are �totally untrue.�
- Here's the story from the Calgary Sun:
  EVERYBODY'S HAPPY
  Bullock starred opposite Ben Affleck in Forces of Nature.
  She says she�s thrilled he�s engaged to Jennifer Lopez.
  �Ben�s a sweet, wonderful, goofy guy. I�m so happy that he�s so happy.�
  She says she doubts Affleck is thrilled his engagement became such a public affair.
  �Ben doesn�t like publicity. I know he�d much rather have had it play out like Matt Damon�s engagement to Odessa.�
  Bullock says she�s pretty certain Damon recently got engaged to Affleck�s personal assistant Odessa Whitmire, whom he�s been dating for almost two years.
  Affleck has played Cupid for Damon more than once.
  When Affleck was dating Gwyneth Paltrow, he introduced his friend to Winona Ryder, who was Paltrow�s best friend at the time.
- The official site for the "Win Without War" group, of which Matt is a supporter, actually lists him as the first celeb name of the group - more information at the site: http://www.moveon.org/
- The casting for "This is our youth" in London is being further downgraded - Freddie Prinze Jr is the latest addition.
- The repeat of Matt's appearance on "Saturday Night Live" is scheduled for 4 January.
- The poster for "Gerry" doesn't appear to be available yet. Here's a link to poster sites matched to the film.

12/15/02

From Felicity:
- Matt did attend the "Maid in Manhattan" premiere.
  Thumbnail pics at Wireimage
  Arrivals: here, and here
  Pics of Matt and Ben at the theatre: here, and here
  But no pics of Matt at the after-party...
- A quote from Matt in a story about the premiere in Newsday, on potential wedding gifts:
  Matt Damon, the best buddy of J. Lo's fiance, Ben Affleck, was equally stumped.
  "If they announce a date, I'll actually have to start thinking about that," he said. "I can't even buy a Christmas gift for Ben because the guy's already got everything, so their wedding will be tricky."
- A report on the party for "Confessions" in LA, from the San Bernadino Sun. I think Matt missed the premiere because of extended negotiations to choose the Project Greenlight Top 10:
  The after-party at the W hotel was also pretty fun and exciting. And crowded. Spotted in the packed lobby, bar and patio areas: Barris himself; the "Ocean's Eleven" crew of Matt Damon, Brad Pitt (sans Jennifer), Don Cheadle and Elliott Gould; Dick Clark; Cindy Crawford and her husband, Rande Gerber; Lili Taylor; and Jacqueline Bisset. All chowed down on yummy prawns, asparagus, flatbreads, cheeses, risotto and sushi.
- A rumor from Beverlyhills213.com:
  I'm told that while watching the classic movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on cable recently, Matt Damon had a brainstorm. What, he pondered, would be the possibilities of him taking the Robert Redford role and best buddy Ben Affleck doing the Paul Newman part? He immediately called Ben, who loved the idea, and now the two are huddling quietly with agents and producers trying to get the remake off the ground.
- ** I didn't even consider "Gerry" to be a candidate for the Independent Spirit Awards, so it was a nice surprise to see it nominated for two awards, especially Gus for Best Director.
- From the NY Daily News:
  By REBECCA LOUIE, SUZANNE ROZDEBA, DAKOTA SMITH and BEN WIDDICOMBE
  ... "I can't even buy a Christmas present for Ben because the guy already has everything. So on their wedding, I'll be truly stumped," Damon said.
- From Star Magazine, and repeated in my local Woman's Day magazine this week:
  Good Will behavior
  Monday December 9, 2002
  Matt Damon's girlfriend Odessa Whitmire doesn't have a thing to worry about. The actor was at a hotel bar in Manhattan when a drop-dead-gorgeous fan sashayed over and asked if she could take a picture sitting on his lap. Matt said OK, but that he'd have to call his girlfriend first. Odessa said fine and Matt posed with the gal, but he was a perfect gentleman.
- A link to a LA Times story about the "Win Without War" group: here
- From Roger Friedman's column, where he confirms that Matt bypassed most of the press at the premiere, and then did not attend the after-party. Friedman also criticises Ben, Jennifer and the party afterwards: here
  At the theatre, none less than Caroline Kennedy, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon sneaked in. Only the first went on to the party, which was surprising since Roberts has a financial interest in the movie and Damon is Affleck's best and lifelong friend. But I couldn't blame them.
- Matt has signed a letter opposing the "war rhetoric toward Iraq": here
- Here's the official announcement about Blockbuster's support of Project Greenlight:
  The December "Premiere" magazine has a short piece on "The Informant", but again, nothing we haven't read before:
  Hollywood's new wave: Radio's 'This American Life' gets a big-screen break
  He was late to meet his dinner date, but aspiring screenwriter Scott Burns couldn't turn off his car radio. "I actually circled the restaurant until they ran out of show," he says. The show was National Public Radio's 'This American Life'. The broadcast was about Kurt Eichenwald's best-seller "The Informant: A True Story", and delved into one of the most corrupt corporate scandals in history. It "had everything I've always wanted to put in a movie," Burns says. So that's exactly what he's doing with Section Eight, the production company of Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney. If all goes as planned, Soderbergh will direct Matt Damon next fall in the film version, titled "The Informant", for Warner Bros., about a corporate whiz kid who exposes a food price-fixing conspiracy. "It's the most exciting story you'll ever read about soybean prices," says Life's producer and host, Ira Glass.
  Original NPR broadcast available at http://www.thislife.org/pages/descriptions/00/168.html
Bec wrote:
Kelly wrote:
Matt is featured in another custom built video game system. This one is called Dogma 2: Electric Boogaloo and you can play it at Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash in Red Bank, NJ.
Sent in by P.:
David wrote:
I don't suppose you know where I could purchase an original poster for Gerry? I haven't been able to track one down online.
Lisa wrote:
There are new pictures of Matt on wireimage here

12/8/02

From a Big Matt Fan:
Gerry has been nominated for two IFP Independent Spirit Awards, for Best Director and Best Cinematography.
Honestly, I'm not surprised or even disappointed the it didn't receive any performance nominations. I'm just pleased that the film was represented. It means that there is an appreciation for the film that hopefully, will translate into greater interest when the film is released.
From Felicity:
- A link to the trailer for Gerry: here
  And a positive review for Gerry: here
- A premiere that Matt's more likely to attend is for "Confessions of a dangerous mind", which is set for LA on 11 December.
  I've been watching for reports on the Maid In Manhattan premiere, and would guess there's a strong chance Matt could attend. But is he in New York - there have been no sightings of him anywhere for a couple of weeks?
  I can't find a press release for the early list of who is attending the premiere.
- Project Greenlight has a new sponsor in Blockbuster.
  And from Skynews.co.uk:
  Hold tight girls - George Clooney is in town promoting his latest flick Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. George told me he has no plans to appear in the Bridget Jones follow-up movie. But he is planning to team up again with good friends Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and Co in Oceans 11 2.
  This time, though, there will be plenty of real life stars, too. There'll be lots of action and hopefully an appearance by my fave singing diva, Barbra Streisand. George said shooting should get under way by next summer. Who said the Rat Pack was dead?
- Hollywood.com has an interview with Matt, which I think is taken completely from the Fort Lauderdale Q&A, including the following quote. There's also an interesting quote about Chris O'Donnell. http://www.hollywood.com/celebs/story/t4/feature/1701227
  You've worked with a lot of great people, but who would you like to work with that you haven't had the chance to yet?
  Damon: Wow. If you asked most actors, they would tell you Marlon Brando is one of the greatest actors this country has ever produced. It would be great to work with him, but unfortunately he doesn't work too often anymore. I remember when Ed [Norton] did The Score with [Robert] De Niro and Brando. I read the script and said, "Dude, this script sucks, what are you doing?" and he's like "Yeah, but it's De Niro and Brando! I get to do scenes with De Niro and Brando! We'll fix the script along the way, man."
- Blockbuster is running a competition to promote Project Greenlight, and is giving someone the chance to meet Matt, Ben and Chris Moore at the PGL2 announcement in Sundance next year: here
- A rumor from Skynews.co.uk:
  While Ben Affleck may have just announced his wedding plans for J.Lo he has not forgotten his best buddy and fellow Oscar-winner Matt Damon. Matt recently starred in London's West End to great acclaim in This is Our Youth. However he was not idle while over here. My spies reveal that he and Ben are planning to open a London version of their LA cafe Confidential right here in the UK.It won't be like Britney's or Planet Hollywood, but a small intimate cafe. It will serve coffee and light meals - and get this - it will have a rock performance area.
  Matt has found his dream location just off Theatreland and the plan is to have the cafe open by next summer. Still don't expect Matt or Ben to be behind the bar - both are working on movies back to back throughout next year. One thought though boys - Fashion Cafe anyone?
- Bourne Identity's worldwide take is at $191,761,990. This makes it the 19th highest grossing movie so far this year (domestic and international).
From Adam: Gerry poster and trailer
Kelly wrote:
Just thought I'd share my thoughts on the Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron DVD as I haven't really read much about it. It came out on DVD and VHS in the states on November 19th.
I definetely enjoyed the DVD and it was well worth the US $20 that I paid at Best Buy. But I was surprised by how little Matt Damon is featured in the DVD. First, there is no mention of Matt anywhere on the box, not even in the bottom credits where it lists everyone involved in the movie. Matt does have a page in the "Cast & Crew" section, and the biofilmography that they give is pretty thorough. There was no mention of Matt in the main featurette about Animating the Film. Matt does appear for about 15 seconds in the "Music of" featurette, where he talks about how good Bryan Adams was. And I listened to the entire director's comentary and Matt wasn't mentioned once there either. ... But it is a nice movie, especially if you have kids or younger siblings to watch it with.
From a Big Matt Fan:
Not much on Matt, but here are a few bits that might be of interest:
- From http://www.hotbutton.com:
  SEAN BAILEY looks like Ben Affleck�s brother� not that he looks like Casey Affleck. But he looks like he could be the second most sexy cop on NYPD Blue or the young dad of a two-year-old on any commercial trying to skew to hip 30somethings.
  But he is none of those things. He is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of LivePlanet, the production company best known for being home to Matt Damon and the aforementioned Mr. Affleck. And he seems as satisfied being just those things as Matt and Ben seem� which is to say, not at all. He�s young, smart and hungry to push the envelope. He and his partners, who include the now-infamous celebrity Chris �The Screaming Guy On Project Greenlight� Moore, started LivePlanet with the idea that it would be a convergence company, combining film, TV, the internet and who knows what else in the creation of new programming. But the internet bubble burst and even after coming to the company with a lot of experience, Sean, Chris, Matt and Ben have all gone through the mill together and learned one key lesson� good work is good work, in whatever format.
  And so, LivePlanet, which as Sean describes, was founded with the idea that they have passed on Good Will Hunting because it was too conventional, is open to anything and everything� everything that stirs their passions. (That would include Good Will Hunting these days.)
  Bailey does what many smart interviewees do to their approaching interrogators. He interviewed me. And being the egomaniac I am, I obliged and told him all kinds of junk. But in between stories about my first pimple and my grooming tips for graying hair, we got to share some interesting perspectives on the business, none of which bear repeating right now.
  The whole breakfast was just another reminder about the humanity of all of this. It�s so easy to simplify LivePlanet into a vanity company from two growing celebrities. But it�s much more than that to Sean. And spending a little time with him, you get the distinct impression that it�s a lot more than that to Matt & Ben & Chris� which is very encouraging.
  If there was anything that really stays with me, besides Sean Bailey being a good guy who loves movies, it�s that in the last two years, they have learned a key to survival that is too often forgotten in this town: Say no.
- From Reuters, yet another Bourne-like project:
  Snipes Doing 'John Doe'
  HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Wesley Snipes is about to lose his memory for Sony-based Revolution Studios.
  The actor is set to star in the sci-fi actioner "John Doe," which revolves around a man who suffers from severe memory loss. As he puts his life back together, he discovers that he also possesses superhuman capabilities that he can't explain. During a quest to uncover his true identity, Doe must elude a relentless assassin who knows his secret and is determined to keep it hidden by any means necessary.
From Bec:
Yet another fascinating article from an Aussie mag, this time Woman's Day. A psychic analyses Ben's various relationships, in an article called "Who Is Ben's Soulmate?", before concluding, "Looking at the people in Ben's life and the strongest emotional and spiritual connection he has, he'd be better off with Matt Damon!" The photos of Ben and Matt, and Matt and Odessa also come with this caption, "Ben and Matt might marry J.Lo and Odessa respectively, but are they really meant for each other?" Even I can't believe I read the article!

11/29/02

Bec wrote:
According to New Idea....a really reliable source lol!....Chris Affleck is not happy with Ben's choice of wife, and Ben asked Matt to have a "quiet word with her"...which apparently didn't achieve anything. I love trashy mags!
From Kelly:
NewsAskew posted some screenshots from the game including the picture that's attached (see right) showing Matt Damon. In the game Matt Damon tries to destroy Ben and J.Lo.
... I obtained some screenshots of the game, including a picture of Matt Damon going after Jen... They are all featured on my Jen Saves Ben page at MattDamonFanPage.com. Feel free to use them as you'd like. A direct link is: here
From Felicity:
- From newsaskew.com, here's a still of Matt in the video game Kevin Smith made for Ben/Jen:
- Here's yet another long interview from the LA press junket for Bourne, but it does have some questions and responses not seen before and a nice introduction - taken from the Manila Bulletin:
- And here's another radio interview from Melbourne, where Matt talks about the Minnie Driver break-up, his relationship with Odessa, Ben and JLo and the rumors of Ben and Nicole Kidman.
- Here's an unwitting comparison from Matt on quotes about three months apart:
  Speaking about Winona a fortnight ago: "She's about as classy as they come".
  Speaking about Odessa in the Australian radio interview above, late August: "She's about as cool as they come".

11/27/02
From Felicity:

From Cindy Adams' column in the NY Post, on Thanksgiving:
Ben Affleck. This year he is interested in the legs and thighs and breasts of a bird named Jennifer who is definitely no turkey. Last year, after passing the gravy with the family, he, brother Casey and Matt Damon hit the Charles Hotel in Cambridge where, for dessert, they ordered up a room decorated with friends, emptied the minibar and partook of their own brand of sweets. Next day, off they went to the 60-year-old colonial in Truro Ben bought for mom, Chris, and walking a new little baby German shepherd. This year, as we've all heard, his puppy love has grown a bit more adult.
From the LA Times: A sweeps-timed wedding on NBC's "Will & Grace" generated the program's second-largest audience ever, according to Nielsen Media Research estimates, with the show attracting 24.3 million viewers Thursday -- dropping time-slot competitor "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" to its smallest audience this season.
The only "Will & Grace" to draw a bigger audience was broadcast in February and also featured a major guest star, Matt Damon. On Thursday's installment, Grace (Debra Messing) married a character played by Harry Connick Jr., culminating a romance that had been building for weeks.
Another anti-Ben article from the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

11/22/02

Erika wrote:
Hi, guys. Entertainment Tonight or Access Hollywood (I get them mixed up sometimes) reported that Ben Affleck will be People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive this year. Man, I guess it really pays off publicity wise to date J.Lo. Out of all of the drop-dead gorgeous leading men in Hollywood, I would never have thought they would have selected Ben. Cute? Okay, but I don't know about sexy. And the SEXIEST MAN ALIVE? Never.
Agreed. But it's no coincidence that this stuff comes out just when his film is about to come out - it's all part of the PR machine for which Hollywood is famous. I can't complain - I think Matt got that kind of treatment when GWH came out. Grin an bear it, even if you have to pinch your nose!
From Felicity:
- Matt on Ben as Sexiest Man Alive in People magazine online: "Ben's really loyal and really honest, really smart, really funny," says Matt Damon, Affleck's best buddy since boyhood. "He's got more going for him than just about anyone I've ever met."
  Affleck was more of a partyer than was his neighbor Damon, two years older and a pal since 1980. But the two "weren't heartthrobs by any means," says Damon's brother Kyle, 35. "They weren't even considered cool kids. They were drama geeks."
- George Clooney was talking again about the possibility of an Ocean's sequel last night at the Solaris premiere. From Matt in a British radio interview for Ocean's 11 earlier this year:
  Did you miss each other when the filming finishes? When the film ended for me, I would still go back at lunchtime and play basketball with the crew members. I then went away to Paris to do some additional photography on a movie I was doing, but I was still calling the set to make sure everyone was alright. It was like leaving summer camp early!
- From a British interview for Bourne:
  Half-an-hour or so in Damon's intelligently personable company, it becomes clear that the initial impression of a modern-day Ron Howard is slightly off target. Even though he talks about his obsessions with the Boston Red Sox baseball team and, of all people, Radiohead ("I listen religiously to their music") with the enthusiasm of a true fan boy, he has the mark of a bigger man, more suited to the long shadows of the centre stage. When he moves on to air his admiration for Robert Redford, who directed him in TLOBV, you start to wonder whether he might have what it takes to step up to that Classic Actor league...
  [Later] Did he pick up any tips on how to safeguard his privacy from Robert Redford, perhaps?
  "Yeah, we spoke about a lot of stuff, but I would be wary to air it. I was riding him about stories from Ordinary People because I really love that movie, so I learned a lot about directing and acting. But he's a private guy and no one pressed him about his private life unless he felt like talking about it. If he wanted to go out to dinner with his girlfriend and all of us then we'd go out to dinner".
- In the "World of Nick Adams" program of last year, Matt is listed as a "Patron" of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps. The charity's website lists Matt as a contributor of $10,000 or over last calendar year.
- On the personal trainer question - I don't think Matt's ever said that he has a permanent trainer. He instead employs (or is given) specific people for films, eg kali expert, judo expert, weapons expert, boxing expert (all for Bourne
- From the Boston Herald:
  Farrellys are Stuck On shooting their new film in Hawaii
  by Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa
  Monday, November 18, 2002
  Bobby and Peter Farrelly, the South Shore's funny filmmakers, have a most-excellent plan: To shoot their next flick, ``Stuck On You,'' in Hawaii in February.
  The only problem is, the studio isn't exactly doing a hula dance over it!
  ``See the movie takes place in Los Angeles,'' Bobby told the Track. ``But we want to film it in Hawaii and re-create Los Angeles there. The studio doesn't get why we just can't film it in L.A.''
  Well, jeez, talk about Dumb & Dumber! Who wouldn't take Waikiki over West Hollywood? The Big Island over big egos? Don Ho over Hollywood Boulevard 'hos?
  ``We always film on location,'' Bobby went on. ``We like the whole atmosphere. It's kind of like summer camp. Whereas if you film in L.A., it's just like going to work all day, then going home.''
  And where's the fun in that????
  Anyway, ``Stuck'' will star our favorite Cambridge homey, Matt Damon, and sometime-Vineyardite Greg Kinnear as Siamese twins who are joined at the hip.
  One wants to be a movie star so his brother reluctantly agrees to head out to the Left Coast.
  Bobby, who hit last week's VIP opening of Saint with his lovely wife, Nancy, said they'll probably do a scene or two locally before heading - hopefully - for the Aloha State.
  And, yes, there will be the trademark Farrelly Brothers show-stopping gross-out scene.
  ``I think we'll have to shoot them in the bathroom,'' he said.
  Of course.
- There's a story on everything eventually. From an article in the Boston Globe about cars used in movies, and a guy whose job is to find the cars:
  Also around is the ratty 1971 Nova driven by Matt Damon in ''Good Will Hunting.'' ''We bought it, primer-and-all, in New Hampshire, and the producer loved it just the way it was,'' said Anderson.
Bec wrote:
- Just got the new issue of Entropy - the University of South Australia paper, and there's an interview with Matt in it. There's nothing new in the interview, but here's what the interviewer said about Matt -
  "I personally consider Matt Damon one of the smartest people in Hollywood, especially considering his age. He has worked as an award winning writer, producer and actor as well as finding time to support struggling screenplay writers through his Project Greenlight. I found out he's a pretty top bloke in real life too when I caught up with him recently as part of his Australian promo tour for The Bourne Identity.
- From The Adelaide Advertiser
  19.11.02
  Matt Damon is following the path of his best friend, Ben Affleck, who is going to marry Jennifer Lopez.
  The New York Post reports that Damon has popped the question to 27-year-old girlfriend Odessa Whitmire - who used to be Affleck's personal assistant - and Whitmire said yes.
  Damon's spokesman would say only :"I don't know anything about that."
Fellow Damon Fan wrote:
Y.S. wrote, in response to the query about Matt's trainer:
You can contact either his Agent: Mr. Patrick Whitesell 310*248*2000
or his publicist: Ms. Jennifer Allen 310*289*6200

11/18/02

Allison wrote:
I have the Entertainment Weekly with the interview with Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney, and the Sun's report is not entirely accurate. They do mention 'Ocean's Twelve', but it's in sort of a joking manor. The interviewer asks "Let's say both of your films ['Solaris' and 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind'] bomb. Does this have ramifications for what you can do with Section Eight [Soderbergh and Clooney's production company]? Clooney responds: "Ocean's Twelve, baby!" and Soderbergh says "Put that on the fast track."
Earlier in the same interview, the interviewer asks what's next for both of them, and Soderbergh mentions 'The Informant': "We do have...'The Informant (a true-life corporate whistle-blowing tale), which I want to do with Matt Damon..." Unfortunately he doesn't say when this could happen, and another place in the article it mentions Soderbergh wanting to take some time off now.
Hope that helps clear it up some!
S. wrote:
... I thought you might know who Matt Damon's personal trainer is, or how to find out. I am trying to get this info for a friend in L.A. who is willing to spend whatever it takes to get a top-flight trainer. I've noticed that Matt Damon seems to have complete control over his physique -- he is able to look exactly the way he wants to look for each picture. So he must have a great trainer.
Thanks very much for any help you can give!!
P.S. I am assuming this is public information... i.e., that Matt has mentioned it in an interview somewhere. I just can't seem to find it. Thanks again...
If anyone know, please write to me and I will forward the info to S.

11/17/02

From Felicity:
- People online has a story about the Florida benefit:
  Damon's Good Will Funding for a Friend
  Matt Damon steps into the role of hero to help raise money for an ill producer's medical expenses.
  By LINDA MARX
  In 1997's The Rainmaker, Matt Damon played a lawyer fighting for a cancer patient who falls victim to a crooked insurance company and is unable to afford the cost of medical treatments. In a cruel twist, Damon learned last winter that Lisa Maniscalco, 40, a producer and legal consultant on the film, was diagnosed with the same type of blood cancer, acute myelogenous leukemia, as the character in the movie. When Maniscalco's insurance policy was canceled in June, Damon, 32, stepped in. On Nov. 8 the actor hosted a benefit at a Fort Lauderdale film festival, which raised more than $40,000 -- including $10,000 from the star himself -- for her medical bills. Says Damon: "I'll continue to raise money and awareness as long as Lisa needs it."
- There's a nice photo with the story, taken at Deauville: here.
- I've found another story about the Florida event at the University of Miami's website. You need to register at the site to read the story, but here's an excerpt:
  As far as the future is concerned, Damon recently did a cameo in Kevin Smith's new film, Jersey Girl, starring Affleck. Also in the works is a movie by the Farley Brothers (Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin). "It's about adjoined twins with Greg Kinnear. He's older than me, but the rational is that I have 90 percent of the liver so he's aging faster. Again, it's a comedy." Damon came across as someone who strives to be an average guy and does not carry the superstar demeanor. He entertained the audience and took the praise he received with humble appreciativeness. The oddest question of night came from a woman in the front row, "You inspire me, and I'm a screenwriter, and you've inspired me to write. I think I may have some sort of blood disorder, and I was wondering if I might talk to you for a moment after the show?" Damon's response, "I'm not a doctor." Perhaps Florida should pay more attention to the advice of its guest speakers.
  The story is at here. Photos are at: here, (another pic of the ring and the plastic bracelet - there's got to be a reason for it - any guesses??). and here.
- The latest Us Weekly magazine has the story on Matt and Odessa's "near-engagement", but there probably aren't many details that are new and haven't been leaked to the press already.
- Variety reports that Ben is now up for the main role in "Paycheck", the John Woo take on "Bourne Identity", which Matt turned down after taking "Stuck on you". Small world.
- There's a script review of "Stuck on you" at Corona, and it's not favourable.
  I can't link it directly, but go to here and then the "My Loose Thread" column.
- The line from EW about Ocean's Twelve being fast-tracked was probably in jest. From EW online:
  EW Let's say both of your films bomb. Does this have ramifications for what you can do with Section Eight? CLOONEY ''Ocean's Twelve,'' baby!
  SODERBERGH Put that on the fast track.
11/15/02
- From Felicity:
  - From NY Post:
    Matt betrothed
    NOT only is his best bud Ben Affleck ready to walk down the aisle (with Jennifer Lopez), but so is Matt Damon. Sources tell PAGE SIX that Damon has popped the question to his 27-year-old girlfriend, Odessa Whitmire, who used to be Affleck's personal assistant. Whitmire said yes. Damon's rep would only say: "I don't know anything about that." A double wedding, maybe?
  - The stories started in the Marilyn Beck/Stacy Jenel Smith column:
    ON THE PERSONAL SIDE: Matt Damon might actually beat best buddy Ben Affleck to the altar. You might recall that Matt started dating Ben's former personal assistant, Odessa Whitmire, quite a while ago. Well, now, Us magazine reports that Matt's thisclose to proposing to Odessa. It's reported that Ben and Jennifer Lopez will be married on Valentine's Day, even though she's still legally hitched to Cris Judd.
  - From Ted Casablanca's column at eonline - sightings:
    Matt Damon, checking out the indie flick Bowling for Columbine at the Loews Cineplex on 19th and Broadway. Joined by a g-friend on this weekend evening, M.D. was ever the gentleman, holding the door open for fellow moviegoers and even agreeing to a photo with one of the employees. Perhaps best bud Ben should take nice note?
  - The quote from Extra was repeated in the NY Post and most other news outlets:
    DAMON: BEN'S LIFE WITH J.LO BOOTY-FUL
    By KATE SHEEHY
    Actor Matt Damon has finally broken his silence on best buddy Ben Affleck's engagement to butt-blessed babe Jennifer Lopez, insisting his longtime pal has never been happier. "Even when he lost his virginity, he wasn't this happy," the Hollywood star quipped of Affleck, 28, in an interview aired on "Extra" last night.
  - From Corona's Film Listings, under the sequel for Ocean's Eleven:
    November 12, 2002... In this week's latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney told the magazine that, from all of their upcoming films in development at their production company Section Eight, Ocean's Twelve is the most likely to be put on the fast track. [Scoop sent in by 'Internet 24-7'; originally appeared in Entertainment Weekly.]
  - From the Sun, in a story on Ben hiring FBI bodyguards to protect JLo:
    Ben�s obvious concern for J-Lo�s safety has won praise from his friend MATT DAMON, who co-starred with him in the film Good Will Hunting. A close pal of the pair said: �Matt told Ben it�s the best thing he could have done to give him peace of mind.
    �And he�s knocked out with all the high-tech James Bond wizardry being used.�
  - From MSNBC - this will go on for months:
    Meanwhile, Britain�s Now magazine is reporting that the wedding will be catered by Spago and that Affleck�s buddy Matt Damon will be best man.
- C. wrote:
  I still don't know what to believe, especially after reading what he said in Florida about not being engaged but feeling bad everytime he has to say it. I really think he'd come clean.
11/14/02
- Our thanks to Christine, who wrote:
  Hi there! Two items for today.
  From the imdb.com website, November 13: Matt Damon to Wed?
  Hollywood hunk Matt Damon looks set to follow in the footsteps of his best pal Ben Affleck - by also getting married. Following the announcement that Affleck is engaged to his superstar belle Jennifer Lopez, sources say that Damon is also on the verge of asking his girlfriend of a year, Odessa Whitmire, the big question. One source tells American magazine Us Weekly, "They're very serious. He's not far away from proposing." Bourne Identity star Damon, 32, and 27-year-old Whitmire grew close when she was working as Affleck's personal assistant.
  Also, in case this hasn't been posted before, here is the link to the article confirming that the "lawsuit" filed against the playwrights of "Matt & Ben" is a hoax: here.
- From Erika:
  I found this on IMDB NEWS.
  Matt Damon has finally spoken out about his best buddy Ben Affleck's relationship Jennifer Lopez - and he gives the pair his blessing. Until now, Affleck's Good Will Hunting co-star has remained tight-lipped about the fling - which was confirmed at the weekend when Lopez revealed she and Affleck are engaged. But Damon told viewers of TV show Extra on Monday night he'd never seen his childhood pal happier. He said, "Even when he lost his virginity, he wasn't this happy."
- And a big thanks to Jessica for sharing this amusing story:
  Once again, thank you so much for your wonderful site (that I faithfully read everyday)! If it wasn't for your site I would have totally missed seeing Matt Damon altogether. I apologize for sending this so late but the birthday weekend didn't end until very late last night!
  About two weeks ago my boyfriend bought tickets for me to go to the Matt Damon charity event for Lisa Maniscalco. Each seat was $25 and all benefits were donated to the leukemia foundation in Lisa's name. The excitement was too much at first to handle being that it was the start of my birthday weekend. I had such high hopes of getting an autograph and a picture with Matt (the ultimate birthday gift).
  We arrived at Las Olas Riverfront around p.m. and got a really good spot in the front of the barricade. We waited about an hour and a half, and limo after limo came and went as I waited with bated breath for Matt to arrive. Finally the event coordinators were running up and down the red carpet speaking into their walkie talkies that Matt's limo has been circling the block and would be there in less than a minute. Cops were prepared to make sure no one rushed him as he got out, but a decoy limo came first and then Matt appeared in a Cadillac SUV with a screen t.v. and major tinted windows. He then jumped out of the SUV and quickly signed autographs to the guys beside us who were going to sell them later. I started taking pictures immediately of him from when he got out of the limo to when he was signing autographs. When I screamed his name to take a picture he was quickly escorted to Lisa's mother who he embraced for a long time.
  The best part that I can tell you from this wonderful experience is that he is as kind and sincere as people say and his baby blues are beautiful! I was two feet away and I couldn't get over just how good-looking he really is. His smile really does say a thousand words. He was then hussled down the carpet to talk to some interviewers and then go inside to host the charitable event. I noticed that his girlfriend was no where in site.
  Once inside I sat about 20 rows in front of him. When he walked in he got a standing ovation and told us that "booing was not allowed!" It was very cute. We then got to watch a collection of all his movies starting from Mystic Pizza all the way to Bourne Identity. After that, a moderator interviewed him and then the audience got to ask questions. He spoke about how he got started in the business, growing up with Ben, writing the script of Good Will Hunting, project greenlight, and then he told everyone that wants to get into the business to keep pushing and keep believing in what you love cause that when it all pays off. All in all even though I did not get my picture with him or my questioned picked it was great seeing someone I admire as a role model and in my opinion one of the greatest actors in my lifetime!
  I also promise to send my pictures ASAP, my scanner is not cooperating this evening!
- Mary Z. wrote:
  I would absolutely love to know what Matt Damon really thinks of his best friend's engagement to J-Ho.
  I work for a magazine in ... and I was standing next to Ben Affleck briefly last week when he was filming "Jersey Girl" on west 57th Street in front of my building. Jennifer Lopez was standing in the shadows. He was running into the Hard Rock Cafe with a baby seat in his hands. He is not that good looking in person at all!
- From Felicity:
  - There's a story and video of the Fort Lauderdale appearance at Extra's site. The video includes footage of Odessa at the Taipei and Sydney Bourne premieres: here.
    Matt Damon arrived to the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival with a deep sense of purpose. The 32-year old leading man is trying to raise money for a woman who worked on his 1997 hit "The Rainmaker." She has leukemia and her insurance company won't pay for special treatments, just like the plot of the movie. Damon says, "She put her blood, sweat, and tears into a movie about the same thing, so it's really a sad situation."
    Damon sat down with "Extra" for a no-holds barred discussion. Damon revealed he'd like to star in a sequel to "The Bourne Identity.� But Matt admits he's not ready to give Arnold and Vin Diesel a run for their money. He says jokingly, "I think their money is safe."
    Damon also talked about his girlfriend, Odessa Whitmore. He wants to set the record straight on reports the two are about to get married. He says, "I'm not engaged. I don't know where the rumors came from. But I always feel guilty when I say that because I have a great girlfriend. And every time I say, 'We're not engaged,' it sounds like an indictment of her."
    Damon even shared some concern for his former flame, Winona Ryder, who was convicted of shoplifting last week. He says, "I spent a few years of my life with her. She's about as classy as they come. So I know she's going to be fine."
  - Also from Extra's site:
    Lopez also confirmed reports she and Ben have visited a church in Boston, though they don�t have plans to wed there. While there is no word on when, Ben's "Good Will Hunting" co-star and long time friend Matt Damon tells "Extra" that he can't wait to share their special day. He says, "He's never looked as happy as he is now. I�ve known him for 22 years, I�ve never seen him this happy. Even when he lost his virginity he wasn�t this happy."
  - From Teen Hollywood's site:
    Damon To Take Up Yoga
    "The Bourne Identity"'s Matt Damon is to follow in actress pal Gwyneth Paltrow's footsteps and take up yoga in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
    The actor has approached Kirsten McGee, who plays the yoga teacher in Sex And The City, and hopes to set up a tuition regime.
    A source says, "At the moment his schedule is such that they haven't managed to set a date but they hope to set up something soon."
- A Big Matt Fan wrote:
  Maybe I'm just biased, but Matt really does seem to be in a class of his own. While so many other young stars spend their days involved in destructive, extravagant, self-indulgent pursuits, Matt really does seem to want to use his fame for good. You get the sense that he participates in fundraisers, not for the perks or publicity, but because he feels a real commitment to the cause or to his friends. Chris Moore has called him very "loyal," and every story you hear seems to confirm that.
  It's interesting to me that the woman he's helping with the Ft. Lauderdale function isn't an old friend from high school, a family member, or a major player in the entertainment industry. She was the production secretary on "The Rainmaker," a slightly older woman who probably wouldn't have drawn the eye of the average young male lead. Yet not only did he get to know her, years later, he expended a great deal of time, energy, and expense to help her. I just can't imagine very many other actors who would do that for someone like her.
  Anyway, I'm glad that people are beginning to see what a kind, decent, truly generous young man he is.
11/12/02
From Felicity:
- Here's a report from the Fort Lauderdale Q&A on aint-it-cool-news, with an introduction from webmaster Harry Knowles:
- "Inside Edition" had a story on the Fort Lauderdale benefit on Monday's show.
- Here's a link to an interview on British radio, 4 September. There are some fun answers to trick questions included (usual boring Bourne stuff first):
- From the Dallas Morning News:
11/11/02
- From Kathy (thanks!):
  Movie Poop Shoot has posted a mini-interview with Matt and there are photos included.
- Blakeleigh wrote:
  Last night on CBS Saving Private Ryan came on!! It was really good, the first time I had ever seen it. But it was so sad!! Just thought that I would let everyone know! :)
- From Felicity:
  - This is cool - the Japanese poster for Bourne: here.
  - Cindy Adams on the Winona verdict:
    Listen, it's a town where an orange has a longer shelf life than a starlet. We're talking Fickleville. So she was feeling low. So no Matt Damon in her life anymore. No Johnny Depp anymore. She needed excitement. Nothing wrong with that. I understand that. Me, too. I'd trade her my old Marc Jacobs for that young Matt Damon any day.
  - It's taken me a while, but here's a report from the Florida event - from the local expressgaynews.coml photo at here.
    Going to the Matt
    Star Does Benefit to Aid Sick Friend
    Mary Damiano
    Fort Lauderdale residents got their own taste of Hollywood glamour Nov. 8, when Matt Damon (pictured right, with Mayor Jim Naugle) made a red carpet arrival at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
    The actor and Oscar-winner screenwriter made an appearance at FLIFF to raise money for former Hollywood, Florida resident Lisa Maniscalco, who is fighting leukemia.
    Damon and Maniscalco met while working on The Rainmaker, in which Damon played a lawyer representing a patient with leukemia whose insurance policy is canceled.
    When the film�s scenario played itself out in Maniscalco�s situation, Damon pitched in to help.
    His appearance at the festival raised money for Maniscalco�s medical treatment. Fans paid $25 each to watch clips of Damon�s films at the Las Olas Riverfront Theatre and to participate in a Q&A session with the actor. FLIFF donated $10,000 to the cause, and hundreds of people also paid $175 each to attend a party with Damon, held at a private Fort Lauderdale residence.
    But watching Damon walk the red carpet was free. Channel 10 News� anchor Lisa Petrillo hosted the outdoor festivities, held in the downstairs plaza at the Las Olas Riverfront. When Damon arrived, he greeted fans, posed for photos and signed autographs.
    Petrillo interviewed him briefly and told the audience about Lisa Maniscalco�s situation. FLIFF Executive Director Gregory von Hausch presented Damon with a variety of FLIFF souvenirs and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle presented him with the key to the city.
    In the theater, after clips of Damon films including The Rainmaker, Courage Under Fire, Dogma, and the Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting, Damon spent nearly an hour answering questions from the audience with his trademark down-to-earth good-natured humor.
    Elsie Maniscalco, Lisa�s mother, praised Damon for coming forth to help. She also spoke about the chemotherapy treatments her daughter must endure and the constant fights with the insurance company to pay for necessary medical treatment.
    Later, at the exclusive party at a waterfront mansion, guests dined, drank and danced. Damon and Elsie Maniscalco addressed the crowd again, about the nightmare Lisa Maniscalco is enduring.
    �The insurance companies do this because they think people won�t fight back,� Elsie Maniscalco said. �This is my kid. They messed with the wrong Italian.�
    To make a donation to Lisa Maniscalco�s medical expenses, call Elsie Maniscalco at 770.983.1820, or visit lisamaniscalco.com - http://www.lisamaniscalco.com/
  - I have no idea why, but American Idol reps were supposedly at the party in Florida. From the Film Festival's site:
    Also attending the Official Party for Matt Damon from the Fox Television mega hit American Idol, Judge Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, Host Ryan Seacrest and American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson.
  - A little more from the Festival's web-site (which works about every three days):
    Matt Damon appeared at FLIFF on Friday 8th November and following a ten montage of his career, there was a Q&A with the sold-out crowd of over 400.
    Afterwards, Matt boarded a yacht at Las Olas Riverfront that took him to the party at John Cahalin's 20,000 square foot house...where over 500 revelers awaited Damon.
    A 20' outdoor movie screen showed his clips throughout the night. All proceeds benefited a friend stricken with leukemia.
11/7/02
From Felicity:
- Liz Smith on Nick Adams:
  MAYBE YOU saw photos this week of famous stars at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood where they raised money for Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang camps. These do good things for kids with threatening illnesses. You should have been there to observe Warren Beatty, speechless with emotion, accepting a huge sunflower presented to him by one of the cancer-surviving children. His wife, Annette Bening, who had already given a rollicking good performance earlier, along with Julia Roberts, wiped tears from her eyes as they watched. (The Beattys know from kids; they have four of their own.)
  The children were touching, singing a special song written and led by Carole King. Only Paul Newman himself, the excellent actor/founder of this charity, could have brought out such stellar souls as Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Mena Suvari, Joanne Woodward, Chris O'Donnell, Goldie Hawn, Danny DeVito, Bruce Willis, Kevin Kline, Danny Glover, Brian Dennehy and Edward James Olmos.
  Oscar-winner Ms. Woodward declared her admiration for the starry reading of "The World of Nick Adams," saying, "I told Tom Hanks if he ever wants to perform at the Westport Theater, he has a role. And wasn't Bruce Willis brilliant?!"
  Bruce, who was sitting with his ex-wife Demi Moore and their three girls, grinned and squeezed his kids affectionately while one of them fed Daddy a chocolate.
  Are you surprised at how generous the biggest stars are? Believe me, this evening oozed warmth and caring from its billion-dollar cast. They acted like mere mortals who love children. There was much more "attitude" given by some of the photographers who are over-eager to snap and sell their wares. But the stars were there for two reasons - the kids and Paul Newman.
  And the result? $2 million raised in one night.
- From the London Sun:
  MATT DAMON went to a college reunion � and bought each of his 36 classmates a �2,200 Rolex watch.
  The Hollywood heart-throb�s generous gesture cost him almost �80,000. A pal said: �He wasn�t showing off � he just wanted to let friends know he hadn�t forgotten about them. It was a shock when he turned up. Everyone thought he would be far too busy hob-nobbing with the rich and famous.�
- From an interview in the UK "Film Review" magazine, taken from the LA press junket, a longer version of a quote seen previously:
  Liman can�t come up with enough superlatives to describe Damon�s work and dedication to this movie. "He was unbelievable. I just can�t imagine having a better ally in this endeavour. Forget about how smart he is, he did win the Academy Award for writing, he�s such a committed actor and committed to the process. Last week he called me from London in the middle of the night, because he woke up remembering something he�d forgotten to tell me about trimming a shot. That�s the kind of focus Matt has."
- From a story about actor Steve McQueen in the LA Times:
  McQueen, says Bartok (programming manager of the American Cinemateque), has become the "archetype for a certain style of American male actor. You can see it in a lot of younger actors, like Paul Walker for example. Everybody says that about Matt Damon -- you can see certain McQueenisms in his performance."
- From an old CNN article about the Farrelly Brothers:
  The Farrellys aren't "watering down" their humor, despite the criticism they've received. They're already planning a new movie called "Stuck on You." It's a comedy about Siamese twins.
  "They're happy to be Siamese twins," says Peter Farrelly. "They feel blessed. But the rest of us have to go through the world alone. And they don't. And because they have this great attitude, they have a lot of friends. They were the kings of the prom. You know, they were in the state championship hockey team. You know, they're the goalie. And it's just they're a couple of winners who happen to be Siamese twins."
- From the Miami Herald:
- And the Sun-Sentinel's report:
  Special events: An evening with actor Matt Damon benefiting leukemia causes starts tonight at Fort Lauderale's Las Olas 23, 300 SE First Ave., as part of the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. There's no cost to attend Damon's red-carpet arrival at 7:30 p.m. The Q & A at 8 p.m. is $25. Tickets to a private reception, beginning at 9 p.m. in east Fort Lauderdale, are $175. Call 954-525-3456.
- From the Chicago Sun-Times - as we would probably expect, Matt has been in touch with Winona:
11/7/02
- Felicity wrote:
  - From USA Today, in which "Stuck on you" is confirmed: here
  - There's also a story and pictures at "In Style" magazine's site: here.
  - Matt and Paul Newman
  - Um, a ring? here and here.
  - There's an Army Archerd piece in Variety on the benefit, but I can't access it. This is from "Showbiz Briefs" on yahoo, but is probably not the whole story:
  - A story from the LA Times about "Nick Adams", but there's nothing on Matt: here
  - The E! Online clip is also available here.
  - From the Boston Globe:
    IRONMAN DAMON Local artist Kyle Damon helped raise nearly $30,000 for the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program - part of the nonprofit Educators for Social Responsibility in Cambridge - by completing the Ironman USA triathlon in Lake Placid, N.Y., over the summer. He and younger brother Matt (yes, the actor) worked both coasts to attract funds. Kyle finished in the top quarter of his age group and raised so much money that Janus pitched in about $5,000. As part of the Janus Charity Challenge, the top three fund raisers at each individual Ironman North America event get rewarded with money to be donated to the athlete's favorite charity.
  - Here's a fun interview from a UK magazine. With a cute photo from Deauville: here
    Quotes:
  - From a Portugese interview, more photos from a UK photo session: here and here.
- Erika wrote:
  just wanted to let you guys know that I saw Matt on Access Hollywood last night. They were asking him about what he thought of Ben being in J.Lo's new video. He said that he hoped Ben didn't try to sing or dance because he wanted him to continue to have a career in Hollywood. It was kind of funny. You could tell he wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea.
11/6/02
- An eye-witness account from the Big Matt Fan:
- From Felicity:
  - there are lots of "Nick Adams" pics availble at wireimage.com, although they are all thumbnails. Wireimage is claiming exclusive coverage, so they may not show up elsewhere.
  - Here's the poster for this year's "Nick Adams" - very similar to last year.
  - Extra is promoting a story covering the event on Tuesday's show.
  - Here are photos at yahoo of rehearsals for Nick Adams:
    - Matt and Goldie Hawn
    - Matt, Gary Sinise, producer Lou Adler and writer A.E.Hotchner Text from the picture: Writer A. E. Hotchner (L) confers with actors Gary Sinise and Matt Damon (R) and producer Lou Adler (wearing hat) during rehearsal for the production of 'The World of Nick Adams based on the short stories by Ernest Hemingway, November 3, 2002 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The event is set for November 4 is an all-star staged reading to benefit Paul Newman 's Painted Turtle Camp for chronically and terminally ill children and their families. Hotchner adapted Hemingway's book for this staged reading.
  - Extra has a story and the video online: here
    Matt Damon says, "Paul Newman called me up and to me, I�d sell used cars if he asked me to."
    The celebrities joined Mr. Newman in a staged reading of "The World of Nick Adams," where Jack Nicholson portrayed Ernest Hemmingway and Annette Bening and Julia Roberts got to giggle their way through the performance. Damon says, "I don't care if you're Tom Hanks or Paul up there, you're nervous!"
  - There's an article at EW Online about sequel plans for summer hits. Including here:
    - From the Boston Globe Saturday:
      Actor Matt Damon was at the Hampshire House for Champagne Veuve Clicquot's Halloween party, but the evening was stolen by celeb chef Ming Tsai, who came dressed as SpongeBob SquarePants; it took the 400 or so others at the event more than an hour and half to figure out who he was. A clue might have been that SpongeBob was hanging out with fellow chichi cooks Todd English(dressed all in black - no costume) and Ken Oringer, still on crutches.
      The Veuve Clicquot costumed bash is an annual event, held each year in a different city.
- From Diane:
  I've been reading your website for a few weeks now and I'm really enjoying it. I would never of heard anything about Matt as I live in Canada and we don't get much news about Matt up here.
  Perhaps you can put on your website to go to " www.biography.com/2002 and vote for Matt as the best Movie actor. The winner will be announced in December.
- Thank you, Meg, for writing and for sending in the photo of a muddy Matt playing football:
  I just wanted to let everyone know that Saving Private Ryan will be on channel ABC this Saturday at 8:00, 7:00 cental.
11/2/02
From Felicity:
- The last of the major interviews for Bourne has finally arrived locally. It's in the British "Total Film" magazine, October 2002, and includes the harshest comment yet (and there's been a few to choose from) about Bagger Vance:
  Start of interview:
- From a separate interview with Franka Potente. Screen tests in Venice?
  "I went to Venice four times to screentest with Matt Damon and still they weren't calling. That's when I called my agent and said: 'I want to withdraw.' And then they called."
11/1/02
- Felicity wrote:
  Warren Beatty's out (of "Nick Adams") - from the NY Post:
- Ali wrote:
  I read what J. said about Matt and Ben and how the rag sheets seem to always want to write that they are fighting no matter how often they both admit that it is a bunch of BS! Well, all I can say is that conflict sells and anytime they think they can show that there's animosity between life long friends like Matt and Ben, they (being the rag sheets) figure they can make a little money off it. Do I think it's a shame; of course I do! But, what do you expect? Matt and Ben are in the spotlight and the rag sheets will try to make any money off them that they can. I will always first and foremost take stuff from "the horses mouth" before I lend any truth to what the rag sheets say. My advice, don't pay any attention to them and they'll find something new to lie about soon enough.
10/30/02
- Our thanks to a student at Hotchkiss, who wrote to say:
- Caroline wrote:
  I think Matt was in Boston this past weekend. I saw him driving through Kenmore Square with Odessa.
- We thank Shanna, who wrote:
  Just to clear this up, there is no lawsuit pending against the creators of "Matt & Ben". It was a publicity stunt to get tickets sold.
- From Felicity:
  - Here's a strange interview, which is neither complimentary nor critical, but there are some interesting observations and quotes. From a South African newspaper: here.
    Including:
  - From Movieline's annual "100 Most" list, with the full list here.
    47 Most non-BS new action star: Matt Damon
    49 Actually, most all-around non-BS actor: Matt Damon
  - An article on the Fort Lauderdale Festival and Matt's appearance: here.
  - This is timely: a large size pic of Matt and Paul Newman performing "Nick Adams" last year: here,
  - From the Fort Lauderdale Festival site:
    Meet Matt Damon
    Friday, November 8th at 8:00pm at the Regal Las Olas.
    This is a live event with Matt Damon. We will show clips of Mr. Damon's work followed by a live Q&A where he will field your questions. Tickets are $25. Fast Passes are not applicable. Followed by a post-show party at $175 per person...all proceeds benefits a friend of Matt's stricken with Leukemia.
    In 1998, Matt Damon shared the Best Screenwriter Academy Award with Ben Affleck for 'Good Will Hunting' in 1998. He also gained a Best Actor nomination for his acclaimed role as a working-class genius. Since then he's gained acclaim for films as diverse as The Talented Mr. Ripley, Saving Private Ryan and The Bourne Identity.
- Jessia wrote:
  Thank you so much for the news (about the Ft Lauderdale Film Festival) !!! I live in Ft Lauderdale and was interested in going to the film festival but knowing that Matt will be participating makes it even better!! It just so happens that it is my birthday that weekend! What a present!!! I will keep you informed!!
- J. wrote:
  I just have a question

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Welcome to the Matt Damon Column,
a forum for sharing news among Matt fans.