Hollywood icon ripped to shreds at 54

This Hollywood icon has been in the business for over 35 years, but at the age of 54, he’s never been more shredded.

Miranda Wang

less than 2 min read

June 29, 2025 - 8:40AM

news.com.au

There aren’t many who wouldn’t have heard of Matt Damon. His career in Hollywood spans across over 35 years. During this time, he’s received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, and a dual Golden Globe Award nomination: one for Best Supporting Actor in Invictus and one for Best Actor in The Informant!. Picture: Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative

1/57There aren’t many who wouldn’t have heard of Matt Damon. His career in Hollywood spans across over 35 years. During this time, he’s received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, and a dual Golden Globe Award nomination: one for Best Supporting Actor in Invictus and one for Best Actor in The Informant!. Picture: Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative

But for his next role, the 54-year old actor has showed off a crazy physique on the set of his next film The Odyssey, due to be released next year, where he plays Odysseus in Chris Nolan’s period epic, covering his character’s perilous journey home after the Trojan War. Photo: CIAOPIX/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID

2/57But for his next role, the 54-year old actor has showed off a crazy physique on the set of his next film The Odyssey, due to be released next year, where he plays Odysseus in Chris Nolan’s period epic, covering his character’s perilous journey home after the Trojan War. Photo: CIAOPIX/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID

It’s par for the course for Damon, who is known for going all in when it comes to his roles, and over the course of his lengthy career, he’s taken on some dramatic and truly incredible transformations. Picture: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

3/57It’s par for the course for Damon, who is known for going all in when it comes to his roles, and over the course of his lengthy career, he’s taken on some dramatic and truly incredible transformations. Picture: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

From extreme weight loss and gruelling training regimes to mastering new accents, Damon has never been one to shy away from a challenge, sometimes at the detriment of his own health. Picture: Cindy Ord/WireImage

4/57From extreme weight loss and gruelling training regimes to mastering new accents, Damon has never been one to shy away from a challenge, sometimes at the detriment of his own health. Picture: Cindy Ord/WireImage

Curious to see how he’s gone for the big screen? Let’s take a look at some of his most impressive transformations. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

5/57Curious to see how he’s gone for the big screen? Let’s take a look at some of his most impressive transformations. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

In 1996 film Courage Under Fire, Matt Damon famously lost 18 kilograms to play Specialist Ilario, a US Army medic during a battle in the Gulf War. He achieved this by running 20km daily and eating primarily chicken breast. Picture: Supplied

6/57In 1996 film Courage Under Fire, Matt Damon famously lost 18 kilograms to play Specialist Ilario, a US Army medic during a battle in the Gulf War. He achieved this by running 20km daily and eating primarily chicken breast. Picture: Supplied

His shocking weight loss took an immense toll on his body, requiring him to take medication for a year and a half after shooting. Damon admitted that undertook this intense dieting plan with no medical advice, and later warned Chris Hemsworth to not follow his “dangerous” starvation tactic when the actor turned to him for weight-loss advice for his role in The Heart Of The Sea. Picture: Supplied

7/57His shocking weight loss took an immense toll on his body, requiring him to take medication for a year and a half after shooting. Damon admitted that undertook this intense dieting plan with no medical advice, and later warned Chris Hemsworth to not follow his “dangerous” starvation tactic when the actor turned to him for weight-loss advice for his role in The Heart Of The Sea. Picture: Supplied

Damon played a young, idealistic lawyer in 1997 film The Rainmaker. The film revolves around Rudy Baylor (played by Matt Damon), a lawyer who is out to make a difference in the justice system. He decides to fight for a boy suffering from cancer and ends up exposing a complex insurance scam. Picture: Supplied

8/57Damon played a young, idealistic lawyer in 1997 film The Rainmaker. The film revolves around Rudy Baylor (played by Matt Damon), a lawyer who is out to make a difference in the justice system. He decides to fight for a boy suffering from cancer and ends up exposing a complex insurance scam. Picture: Supplied

9/57He starred in this film alongside Danny DeVito and Claire Danes. Picture: Supplied

Following the gruelling weight loss that came with Courage Under Fire, which had a long recovery period, he was only required to regain his health and achieve a healthy look. Picture: Supplied

10/57Following the gruelling weight loss that came with Courage Under Fire, which had a long recovery period, he was only required to regain his health and achieve a healthy look. Picture: Supplied

11/57His performance in The Rainmaker is widely considered to be his breakout role. Picture: Supplied

12/57You can’t fight with those stats. Picture: Supplied

13/57Matt Damon and Mickey Rourke in The Rainmaker. Picture: Supplied

14/57The actor was only 27 years old when filming The Rainmaker. Picture: Supplied

Set in World War II, Saving Private Ryan offers viewers one of the most graphic visuals of war. The film, which has a runtime of almost three hours, is widely considered a war classic. Picture: Supplied

15/57Set in World War II, Saving Private Ryan offers viewers one of the most graphic visuals of war. The film, which has a runtime of almost three hours, is widely considered a war classic. Picture: Supplied

Though Matt Damon underwent basic soldier training for his role as Private Ryan, he was spared the bootcamp that director Steven Spielberg sent the rest of the cast. The bootcamp, led by veteran Captain Dale Dye, was designed to mimic infantryman experience as closely as possible, and included daily physical training that had the actors cold, wet, and exhaustive for a week. Not a good time. Picture: Supplied

16/57Though Matt Damon underwent basic soldier training for his role as Private Ryan, he was spared the bootcamp that director Steven Spielberg sent the rest of the cast. The bootcamp, led by veteran Captain Dale Dye, was designed to mimic infantryman experience as closely as possible, and included daily physical training that had the actors cold, wet, and exhaustive for a week. Not a good time. Picture: Supplied

Spielberg’s decision to sit Damon out at the bootcamp was intentional. He believed that the cast members would grow resentful of Damon, and in turn, create a genuine sense of conflict and tension. Picture: Supplied

17/57Spielberg’s decision to sit Damon out at the bootcamp was intentional. He believed that the cast members would grow resentful of Damon, and in turn, create a genuine sense of conflict and tension. Picture: Supplied

18/57For those who get queasy easily, be warned: this film is extremely violent and heavily graphic. Picture: Supplied

The Talented Mr Ripleyis a 1999 American psychological thriller about a conman who goes to extreme lengths to impersonate a wealthy heir. It features an impressive cast, with Jude Law (middle), Gwyneth Paltrow (left), and Cate Blanchett (not pictured) joining Matt Damon (right). Picture: AP

19/57The Talented Mr Ripleyis a 1999 American psychological thriller about a conman who goes to extreme lengths to impersonate a wealthy heir. It features an impressive cast, with Jude Law (middle), Gwyneth Paltrow (left), and Cate Blanchett (not pictured) joining Matt Damon (right). Picture: AP

20/57For this role, Damon was required to lose 13kg to play Ripley. Picture: Supplied

The Good Will Hunting star was also covered in make-up all over his body so that he could achieve a pale look compared to co-stars Law and Paltrow. Picture: Supplied

21/57The Good Will Hunting star was also covered in make-up all over his body so that he could achieve a pale look compared to co-stars Law and Paltrow. Picture: Supplied

22/57Just look at that smile! Picture: Supplied

23/57The Bourne Identity features Matt Damon and Julia Stiles. Picture: Universal Pictures.

24/57Matt Damon plays a CIA agent who, after recovering from amnesia, is drawn out of hiding. Picture: Supplied

25/57It’s an action packed thriller, chock-full of intense fighting scenes. Picture: Universal Pictures

Damon was willing to do his own stunts, and to prepare, he packed on the muscle by training extensively in martial arts, boxing, and weapons training. Universal Pictures

26/57Damon was willing to do his own stunts, and to prepare, he packed on the muscle by training extensively in martial arts, boxing, and weapons training. Universal Pictures

27/57In the sequels, Damon was further pushed with fight choreography and intensive strength and cardio training. Picture: Supplied

28/57Matt Damon famously packed on the weight for The Informant!, committing to an additional 13kg for his role as Mark Whitacre. Picture: Supplied

The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is based on the real-life story of Mark Whitacre, the 1990s whistleblower who exposed an international price fixing conspiracy for the FBI. He was required to wear a wire for almost three years. Picture: Supplied

29/57The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is based on the real-life story of Mark Whitacre, the 1990s whistleblower who exposed an international price fixing conspiracy for the FBI. He was required to wear a wire for almost three years. Picture: Supplied

30/57In the film, Damon wore a wig, a moustache, and even a prosthetic nose to commit to the character. Picture: Supplied

31/57Apparently being a whistleblower is not as sexy as it may seem. Picture: Supplied

Coming off his role as a chubby whistleblower in The Informant!, Matt Damon needed to whip himself back into shape to play South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar in Invictus. Picture: Supplied

32/57Coming off his role as a chubby whistleblower in The Informant!, Matt Damon needed to whip himself back into shape to play South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar in Invictus. Picture: Supplied

Matt Damon himself is 178cm, and Pienaar, the South African rugby star he was playing, is 191cm, so Damon had to gain muscle in order to play the character convincingly. Picture: Supplied

33/57Matt Damon himself is 178cm, and Pienaar, the South African rugby star he was playing, is 191cm, so Damon had to gain muscle in order to play the character convincingly. Picture: Supplied

To prepare for this role, he began exercising vigorously, with movements such as lifting weights and sprints. Director Clint Eastwood said, “This film is the opposite of The Informant!, as far as physical conditioning goes. I think he liked it, an excuse to get into shape.” Picture: Supplied

34/57To prepare for this role, he began exercising vigorously, with movements such as lifting weights and sprints. Director Clint Eastwood said, “This film is the opposite of The Informant!, as far as physical conditioning goes. I think he liked it, an excuse to get into shape.” Picture: Supplied

35/57Matt Damon returns back to the war scene in the 2010 film Green Zone, playing Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller.

For this role, he had to return to intense weapons and strength conditioning training to achieve the lean, muscular build he has in the film. Picture: Universal

36/57For this role, he had to return to intense weapons and strength conditioning training to achieve the lean, muscular build he has in the film. Picture: Universal

For those wanting to achieve his look, a bootcamp style is recommended. This combines strength exercises with high intensity cardio. Picture: Supplied

37/57For those wanting to achieve his look, a bootcamp style is recommended. This combines strength exercises with high intensity cardio. Picture: Supplied

38/57Matt Damon in a scene from Green Zone. Picture: Universal

His character in Green Zone is based on real-life Weapons of Mass Destruction hunter Richard “Monty” Gonzales. He was hired to work as a Technical Adviser on the film. Picture: Supplied

39/57His character in Green Zone is based on real-life Weapons of Mass Destruction hunter Richard “Monty” Gonzales. He was hired to work as a Technical Adviser on the film. Picture: Supplied

Elysium is a 2013 dystopian science fiction film, set in a world where the rich thrive in an advanced space station and the poor struggle back on Earth. Picture: Supplied

40/57Elysium is a 2013 dystopian science fiction film, set in a world where the rich thrive in an advanced space station and the poor struggle back on Earth. Picture: Supplied

Protagonist Max, played by Matt Damon, is told he is dying from radiation poisoning and needs to get to Elysium to save himself. Picture: Supplied

41/57Protagonist Max, played by Matt Damon, is told he is dying from radiation poisoning and needs to get to Elysium to save himself. Picture: Supplied

Speaking to Variety, Damon revealed that director Neill Blomkamp had a strict expectation on what he was required to look like: “he actually had a picture with my face tacked onto this guy with this body, and they literally hired me a trainer and I went to him with the picture. It was four hours a day in the gym - and I’m not 26 anymore, but I got into shape.” Supplied by Sony Pictures Australia.

42/57Speaking to Variety, Damon revealed that director Neill Blomkamp had a strict expectation on what he was required to look like: “he actually had a picture with my face tacked onto this guy with this body, and they literally hired me a trainer and I went to him with the picture. It was four hours a day in the gym - and I’m not 26 anymore, but I got into shape.” Supplied by Sony Pictures Australia.

43/57He was also required to shave his head, a totally new look for the actor. Picture: Supplied

44/57The weapons training is paying off. Supplied by Sony Pictures Australia.

45/57Don’t mess with Max. Picture: AP Photo/Columbia Pictures, TriStar, Kimberly French

46/57Hopefully this is set in a future, far, far, FAR away? Picture: AP Photo/TriStar, Columbia Pictures

47/57He scrubbed up nicely at the premiere of Elysium in Sydney, 2013. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

48/57Sharlto Copley and Matt Damon at the premiere of Elysium. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

2015 film The Martian is a science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. The film is based on Andy Weir’s novel The Martian, and is about an astronaut (played by Matt Damon) who is left stranded on Mars and is forced to adapt in order to survive. Picture: 20th Century Fox via AP

49/572015 film The Martian is a science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. The film is based on Andy Weir’s novel The Martian, and is about an astronaut (played by Matt Damon) who is left stranded on Mars and is forced to adapt in order to survive. Picture: 20th Century Fox via AP

Damon was required to look leaner and aged due to his character story of surviving in space. His character is only able to harvest potatoes for food, a feat even the biggest hot chippy lover might struggle with. Picture: Fox films

50/57Damon was required to look leaner and aged due to his character story of surviving in space. His character is only able to harvest potatoes for food, a feat even the biggest hot chippy lover might struggle with. Picture: Fox films

While he reportedly lost some weight for certain scenes, he didn’t lose a Courage Under Fire level amount of weight. For later scenes in the movie, where his character was to look very emaciated due to the lengthy amount of time spent in space, a body double was used. Picture: Fox films

51/57While he reportedly lost some weight for certain scenes, he didn’t lose a Courage Under Fire level amount of weight. For later scenes in the movie, where his character was to look very emaciated due to the lengthy amount of time spent in space, a body double was used. Picture: Fox films

52/57Damon also donned a bit of facial hair in the film, but it is widely believed that was added in post-production. Picture: Fox films

53/57Matt Damon won The Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role in The Martian. Picture: Fox films

2017 sci-fi film Downsizing tells the story of Paul (Matt Damon) who decides to undergo “downsizing”, a procedure that offers a better life by shrinking people. Picture: IMDb

54/572017 sci-fi film Downsizing tells the story of Paul (Matt Damon) who decides to undergo “downsizing”, a procedure that offers a better life by shrinking people. Picture: IMDb

Matt Damon appeared fully bald in the film, but he was not required to shave his head. Instead, he wore a skull cap and his eyebrows were digitally removed. Picture: IMDb

55/57Matt Damon appeared fully bald in the film, but he was not required to shave his head. Instead, he wore a skull cap and his eyebrows were digitally removed. Picture: IMDb

56/57The movie was a departure from what Damon usually stars in, and rated poorly. Picture: IMDb

57/57On May 31, 2025, he stepped out looking unlike his usual clean-cut movie star self when he headlined Netflix’s Tudum. Picture: Michael Tran / AFP

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/movies/hollywood-icon-ripped-to-shreds-at-54/image-gallery/726f76fd94d169190282ce254b7ab153

Hollywood icon ripped to shreds at 54

Sequel for box office hit after 23 years

‘Eyes rolling’: Paltrow’s on-set antics revealed