Matt Damon’s strict The Odyssey diet and transformation uncovered hidden health issue
Angelica Cheyenne
21:45 ET, 07 Jul 2026Updated 21:56 ET, 07 Jul 2026
Matt Damon worked overtime to transform himself for his new role in The Odyssey, and the decision paid off in unexpected ways for the actor
The 55-year-old Oscar-winning actor shared during a recent episode of Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast that he permanently removed gluten from his diet after realizing it affected him. Matt shared that the move completely changed his life, prompting a major physical transformation for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic film, The Odyssey
“It’s just a complete, complete lifestyle change,” Matt explained, as Amy branded the adjustment a shim, “getting jacked in your 50s.” This came after the Oscar-winnerrevealed the “best experience” of his career
Article continues below
READ MORE: Donald Trump labeled ‘scumbag’ by Fox News viewers after 7-word threat to Republicans
READ MORE: Rock star Jack White attacks Donald Trump as he says ‘MAGA doesn’t own our flag’
“There’s no planning it. Any other time I tried to do something like that, it was always like, well, ‘My time, my workouts’ … and this was like … just put your foot on the gas and that’s it. And that’s the only way to do it, and eat a little less,” Matt shared with Amy, 54
Matt then remarked that after he eliminated gluten, it “changed his life” before the former Saturday Night Live star asked him whether he still had “any desire” for it. Damon then answered, “No, because of what it does to me … I didn’t know.”
Amy then acknowledged that many people in their generation weren’t aware of food sensitivities as they were growing up
“We didn’t talk about it, and I didn’t realize the level to which it was affecting me. Like, it’s completely changed my life these last couple years of not eating it … it’s a bummer. I’m a big fan of bread and beer, and pasta and pizza and all that stuff, but … how I feel is just [so much better],” Matt noted
The Good Will Hunting star detailed the strict diet he was following to get in shape for his latest role as the iconic Greek hero Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated adaptation of The Odyssey
Matt admitted during his appearance on brothers Travis and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast that he got down to 167 pounds for the role
“Yeah, I was in really good shape,” he shared. “I lost a lot of weight,” as he noted that filmmaker Christopher had a specific idea for how he wanted Matt to look for the role of Odysseus
Article continues below
“He said he wanted me … lean but strong,” Matt shared before adding, “I literally, just because of this other thing I did with my doctor, stopped eating gluten. I used to walk around between 185 and 200 pounds. And I did that whole movie at 167 pounds.”
He also commented, “I haven’t been that light since high school. So it was a lot of training and a really strict diet.”
For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newslettershere.For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepagehere
