Being Matt Damon: Goodwill Hunting and Bourne Identity Star Remembered

Matt Damon is one of the hottest stars in Hollywood today. With many films to his credit, he often doesn't get mentioned as much as he should

Damon is a talented actor in his own right, and is starting to became a major star in Hollywood, acting in the big leagues in the recent Oceans films with such stars as Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

Damon first starred in "Goodwill Hunting," which he co-wrote with star Ben Affleck.

"Goodwill Hunting" was a tale of redemption for a young janitor too smart to be another nobody. He had a dark past, including beatings by his father, and therapy helped bring this out. Robin Williams also starred in this film, which really brought Matt Damon into the limelight, and to Hollywood recognition.

Recently Damon is known for a series of spy/detective movies in the stories of Jason Bourne, a rogue agent who can't remember much of his past, but has special abilities when it comes to fighting. He doesn't know his true name and has many nightmares of things he can't recall doing. There were two films based on Robert Ludlum's character: "The Bourne Identity" and "The Bourne Supremacy." Each had a series of action sequences that could be compared to the likes of director John Woo, but had a quality story to go along with it, not to mention Damon's dynamic acting as a man looking for his past.

Matt Damon seems not to take himself to seriously. He has had cameos in many Kevin Smith movies, notably "Dogma" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." In "Dogma" he played an angel (this film also starred Ben Affleck), while he played himself comically in "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," making fun of his most serious role in "Goodwill Hunting."