The Talented Mr. Damon Gets Feted!

Bourne Identity star will be honored in prime time with prestigious American Cinematheque Award

By Josh Grossberg Aug 28, 2009 2:55 PMTags
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Matt Damon is adding to his mantle.

He's only 38 years old, but the thespian has just been tapped to receive his first lifetime achievement honor, the American Cinematheque Award.

According to Variety, Damon has agreed to accept the award in person, leading ABC to schedule the kudoscast for prime time. AMC had hosted the event the past four years.

Not a bad draw, if we may say so.

The actor will have to wait a while, though—the Cinematheque folks have decided to push the ceremony from its usual October birth to March 27, 2010, so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle of awards season. Consequently, the honor will technically be skipped in 2009.

Damon, who won an Oscar over a decade ago for penning Good Will Hunting (which he also starred in), has gone on to headline several Hollywood blockbusters, including Ocean's Eleven and its sequels and the Bourne trilogy. His performances have also been heralded in such films as The Talented Mr. Ripley, Saving Private Ryan, All the Pretty Horses, Syriana, The Departed and The Good Shepherd.

The Cinematheque award is given out annually to artists who are "committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion pictures."

Past honorees include Samuel L. Jackson, who was lauded last year, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Al Pacino, Steve Martin, Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington and Jodie Foster.

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We're happy for Matty boy! Take a look back at another kudosfest in our 2009 SAG Awards photo gallery.