Ketanji Brown Jackson Recalls Harvard Days with Matt Damon: A Surprising Encounter in Drama Class
Ketanji Brown Jackson, now a distinguished Supreme Court Justice, has often reflected on her time at Harvard University as a period of significant personal and professional growth. While many are familiar with her impressive academic achievements and legal career, few know about her surprising encounter with a future Hollywood star during her undergraduate years.
The Unexpected Drama Class with Matt Damon
During an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Justice Jackson shared a lighthearted memory from her college days that many found surprising. While attending Harvard, she enrolled in a drama class—a departure from her rigorous government studies. It was in this class that she was paired with none other than Matt Damon, who would later become an Oscar-winning actor and screenwriter.
Scene Partners for “Waiting for Godot”
Jackson recounted how she and Damon were paired as scene partners for a portion of Samuel Beckett’s play “Waiting for Godot.” Although the two never performed an entire play together, this particular scene remains etched in her memory.
“He’s not going to remember this, of course,” Jackson said with a smile, “but it was for ‘Waiting for Godot.’ The reason why I remember it is because he was already kind of well-known around campus and off campus, so it was kind of exciting to be his scene partner for a particular class.”
A Memorable Performance: Jackson Outshines Damon
The highlight of this memory came at the end of their scene, where the professor offered feedback. Jackson humorously recalled the professor’s comments: “Ketanji, you were very good. Matt, we’ll talk.” The feedback left Jackson feeling both proud and astonished, as she humorously noted, “I was better than Matt Damon in a scene.”
The Divergent Paths of Jackson and Damon
Jackson’s Path to the Supreme Court
Ketanji Brown Jackson’s journey at Harvard did not stop at the drama class. She graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in government and went on to earn her juris doctor degree from Harvard Law School in 1996. Her legal career has been marked by numerous accomplishments, culminating in her historic appointment as the first African American woman to serve as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Damon’s Rise to Hollywood Stardom
Matt Damon’s path diverged significantly after their Harvard days. Although he attended Harvard, Damon left the university just 12 credits short of graduating to pursue an acting career. This decision proved fruitful, as he went on to star in several acclaimed films. Damon and his close friend Ben Affleck later won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for their work on “Good Will Hunting,” solidifying his place in Hollywood.
Reflections on a Unique College Experience
The Impact of Harvard on Jackson and Damon
While their careers took different trajectories, both Jackson and Damon have expressed the profound impact that their time at Harvard had on their lives. For Jackson, Harvard was a place where she could explore diverse interests, including drama, which offered her a different perspective from her legal studies. For Damon, Harvard was a launching pad for his film career, despite not completing his degree.
The Intersection of Law and Art
This anecdote about Ketanji Brown Jackson and Matt Damon serves as a reminder of the intersection between the arts and other disciplines, even for those who pursue careers far from the stage. For Jackson, the experience of being a scene partner with a future movie star is a cherished memory that adds a unique dimension to her already remarkable life story.
