Matt Damon and David Letterman Play Six-Second Extras on 'The Gilded Age': Fans Spot the Cameo
Fans watching the Season 4 premiere of HBO's The Gilded Age on Sunday, November 1 spotted two unexpected faces in the background: Matt Damon, 56, and former late-night host David Letterman, 79, dressed in full period attire as uncredited, line-free extras, according to People and USA Today.
The moment comes about eight minutes and 30 seconds into the episode and lasts roughly six seconds, as the pair walk across the show's 61st Street set in New York City, between the Van Rijn and Russell homes. Viewers screenshot the blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance, it spread on social media, and multiple outlets confirmed the cameo.
The stunt grew out of Letterman's Netflix interview series My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. Producer Isabel Richardson told Vulture that Letterman has long wanted to work as a background actor, an idea dating back to spotting his friend Gary Mule Deer as an extra in Annie Hall, and that Damon, who started his own career as a background actor, discussed the idea with Letterman for an upcoming Season 7 episode. Presented with a list of possible field segments, Damon chose this one unequivocally; Richardson called it 'by far the silliest, most ridiculous idea.'
Gilded Age executive producer Kate Churchill told Vulture that when production supervisor Leah Baker asked whether she would like Dave Letterman and Matt Damon as background actors for a day, she burst out laughing. Creator Julian Fellowes and HBO executives Francesca Orsi and Casey Bloys approved the idea, and the team designed a controlled shot that was needed in the episode, giving it a high chance of making the cut.
Damon was paid as a background actor and wore a fake mustache that he had to hold in place whenever he laughed, which Richardson said was often. Letterman's own beard was already period-ready, and his bowler hat was his own. The Netflix series will air behind-the-scenes footage of the pair's costuming, makeup and filming.
The Gilded Age airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and streams on HBO Max. Season 7 of My Next Guest has no announced premiere date; besides Damon, its guests include Julia Roberts, Jimmy Kimmel and Alex Honnold.
Source: Vulture interviews with the two shows' producers
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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