Matt Damon Nearly Died at Jimmy Kimmel’s House: “If He Dies In My House, I’m Going to Prison”

Jimmy Kimmel recently gave a wide-ranging interview to Variety, talking about everything from his Emmy nominations to his wildest moments on and off camera.

The Emmy-winning host, producer, and comedian revealed that he had received four nominations this year, including outstanding talk series for ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” short form comedy, drama or variety series for YouTube’s “The Rabbit Hole with Jimmy Kimmel,” game show as an executive producer, and game show host for ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

But amid all the celebration, Kimmel shared a story that was both shocking and hilarious, involving his friend Matt Damon.

“Matt Damon was over at my house one night for dinner. I made pork ribs. He came late, was very hungry, and started eating fast. He started choking on a pork rib,” Kimmel said. The rib had gotten stuck in Damon’s throat for about an hour and a half, and it quickly turned into a life-or-death situation.

Kimmel explained that he and Damon’s brother were scrambling to figure out what to do. “I said, ‘We have got to get him to the hospital, because 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.’”

They tried the Heimlich maneuver multiple times, but it wasn’t enough. In desperation, they turned to research and YouTube for solutions. After some trial and error, they discovered a surprising trick. “We finally concluded that eating 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.

The story left Kimmel visibly relieved but also amused. Even in the middle of a near-disaster, he could find humor in the chaos. It’s a reminder that even celebrities have moments of panic and improvisation, and sometimes the most unusual solutions really work.

This bizarre and intense experience now sits alongside many of Kimmel’s legendary anecdotes about his career and personal life. From Emmy nominations to dinner table emergencies, he continues to show why audiences are drawn to his sharp wit and genuine storytelling.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!