In 1997, he won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay for the movie Good Will Hunting, an honor he shared with longtime friend Matt Damon. This was one of his biggest breakthroughs in his young career at that time.
10 years later, he also started his directorial debut with Gone Baby Gone. He also produced, directed and starred in the movie Argo. For Argo he also won several awards, including a Golden Globe Award, Academy Award, and a BAFTA.