Claim: Matt Damon was in a movie.

The Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy was first awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as a separate category in 1951 . Previously , there was a single award for `` Best Actor in a Motion Picture '' but the splitting allowed for recognition of it and the Best Actor -- Drama .   The formal title has varied since its inception . In 2006 , it was officially called : `` Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy '' . As of 2013 , the wording is `` Best Actor in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy '' .   Notes :  '' † '' indicates an Academy Award-winning performance .  '' ‡ '' indicates an Academy Award-nominated performance that same year .  `` $ '' indicates an Academy Award-nominated actor for a different role that year .