Arts & Culture

Timeline: Matt Damon in Boise

Matt Damon is coming to the Treasure Valley again, this time to benefit the YMCA. Frank Marshall, producer of the “Bourne” series and Boise resident, has brought Damon to Boise before. The actor breezes into town, promotes a Bourne movie and supports the Boise Contemporary Theater or other organizations.

Here’s a look back at his past visits.

2002: The actor’s first publicized visit to the Treasure Valley

When Matt Damon made his initial visit to Boise, he had just starred in the first iteration of the ‘Bourne’ series. He was still fresh-faced, as were we. We nabbed an exclusive interview, hosted a trivia contest for a chance to meet the actor (we even enthusiastically covered the winner of that contest) and covered Damon as he walked onto our version of the red carpet.

Matt Damon worked the crowd, shaking hands, signing autographs, having his photo taken - and taking a few, too - in a benefit for the Boise Contemporary Theatre. "I think he's an amazing actor," said 14-year-old Shea Hall after her photo with Damon. "I'm an actress, too. I'm so glad to meet him." Damon and producer Frank Marshal were in town to introduce the charity advance screening of "The Bourne Identity." (2002)
Matt Damon worked the crowd, shaking hands, signing autographs, having his photo taken - and taking a few, too - in a benefit for the Boise Contemporary Theatre. "I think he's an amazing actor," said 14-year-old Shea Hall after her photo with Damon. "I'm an actress, too. I'm so glad to meet him." Damon and producer Frank Marshal were in town to introduce the charity advance screening of "The Bourne Identity." (2002) Katherine Jones

2004: Matt returns

We thought maybe it was just a summer fling. But, no. What he said, in 2002, about his “love” for Boise (yes, he used the L-word), looks pretty dang sincere from this angle. He came to support BCT again, and to promote what now was not just a movie, ‘The Bourne Supremacy,” but a series.

Yes, we were still young then, but we also had history.

Look at the rapport here, how easily we all get along:

Matt Damon walks the red carpet Saturday night at the Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise, appearing at an advance screening of his new film, "The Bourne Supremacy." Behind Damon at left is the film´s producer, Frank Marshall. (2004)
Matt Damon walks the red carpet Saturday night at the Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise, appearing at an advance screening of his new film, "The Bourne Supremacy." Behind Damon at left is the film´s producer, Frank Marshall. (2004) File

That smile, folks, is the smile of someone coming to a city they L-O-V-E.

BCT's Matt Clark (in white) watches as Bourne Supremacy star Matt Damon handles press. (2004)
BCT's Matt Clark (in white) watches as Bourne Supremacy star Matt Damon handles press. (2004) File photo

2007: Now it’s just a regular thing

Matt’s back, everybody, with another new movie, ‘The Bourne Ultimatum.’ Great to see him, but it’s no big thing. In fact, our top Matt Damon correspondent, Dana Oland, writes the headline “Matt Damon strolls into the Egyptian with his new film to raise money for a local theater.” Yeah, he’s just strolling through Boise by now.

We’re pretty casual about our close ties to the actor by this point.

Actor Matt Damon walk's the red-carpet at Boise's Egyptian Theater for the premiere of his latest movie, "The Bourne Ultimatum," on Monday July 30th. (2007)
Actor Matt Damon walk's the red-carpet at Boise's Egyptian Theater for the premiere of his latest movie, "The Bourne Ultimatum," on Monday July 30th. (2007) Joe Jaszewski

Worth noting: thrill is not gone, clearly.

2016: Stepping into a new chapter.

Again, we’re excited, and hoping Bourne movies and Matt’s support of the YMCA will lead to a great future.

Erin Fenner: 208-377-6207, @erinfenner

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 8:40 AM with the headline "Timeline: Matt Damon in Boise."

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