Jimmy Kimmel Shares How He Once Saved Matt Damon’s Life

Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon have spent nearly two decades roasting each other in one of Hollywood’s longest-running comedy feuds. But behind the barbs and late-night gags lies a story that might change how fans see their friendship forever. In a new interview, Kimmel finally revealed a shocking night when their rivalry turned into a real-life emergency.

Jimmy Kimmel Reveals Matt Damon Choking Scare at Dinner

Kimmel revealed to Variety that Damon and his brother Kyle once joined him for dinner at his home. On the menu were pork ribs, freshly prepared by the comedian himself. Damon arrived late, hungrier than ever, and wasted no time digging in. But within moments, the casual evening turned frightening. Damon began choking on a rib, unable to clear it from his throat.

For more than an hour, the atmosphere in Kimmel’s home shifted from lighthearted to tense. “We have got to get him to the hospital,” Kimmel recalled telling the room, admitting that panic set in. What unsettled him most was the possibility that if Damon didn’t make it, people might assume foul play. “If he dies in my house, I’m going to prison for the rest of my life. I will never be able to explain this as anything other than a murder.”

The late-night host described multiple frantic attempts at the Heimlich maneuver, none of which worked. Damon’s brother watched anxiously as they struggled to find a solution.

Bread and YouTube Helped Kimmel Save Matt Damon’s Life

Running out of options, Kimmel turned to the internet. He admitted he did “a lot of YouTube-ing,” scanning videos for advice on how to dislodge food stuck too far down the throat. That’s when they landed on a surprising idea: soft bread might be enough to push the rib downward.

It was a gamble, but it worked. Damon managed to swallow the bread, which gradually helped the rib move into his stomach. “…little bits of bread was the way to get that rib to work its way down into his stomach — and bread saved him.,” Kimmel said, relieved. What could have been a tragedy ended with laughter, and a story that Damon himself has apparently never shared publicly.

From Saving a Life to a “Millionaire” Reunion

Shortly after the dinner incident, Matt Damon appeared on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Teaming up with trivia champion Ken Jennings, Damon reached the final question and correctly answered “susurrus,” securing the $1 million prize. The winnings were donated to Water.org, the nonprofit Damon co-founded in 2009 to expand clean water and sanitation access worldwide.