Matt Damon credits an interesting person with his Hollywood success, saying that following the lead of one specific star changed his life. Damon got his start in professional acting when he appeared in a minor role in Mystic Pizza and then impressed audiences with his turn in School Ties. However, his true breakout didn't come until 1997, when Damon and his friend Ben Affleck wrote and starred in the drama Good Will Hunting, a movie that won them an Oscar for screenwriting.