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The Surprising Connection Between Kamala Harris and Matt Damon’s Character in Contagion
Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns Explains the Origins of the Character’s Name and Reflects on the Film’s Eerie Resemblance to Recent Events
Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns Reveals the Origin of Mitch Emhoff’s Name and Discusses the Film’s Unexpected Resurgence Amidst the Pandemic
In an intriguing twist of fate, the character Mitch Emhoff, portrayed by Matt Damon in the 2011 pandemic thriller Contagion, shares a name that resonates strongly with contemporary politics. Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns recently revealed the story behind the name during an episode of the Hollywood Gold podcast, connecting the fictional character to the current vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris.
Burns recounted the serendipitous origins of the name “Emhoff,” stating, “Here’s a weird Emhoff story: the reason the Emhoffs are named that is…” He explained that during his time directing commercials, he worked with an executive producer named Kerstin Emhoff. Interestingly, Kerstin was previously married to Doug Emhoff, who is now married to Kamala Harris. “They got divorced and, as we now know, Doug Emhoff is married to Kamala Harris, which is just a bizarre coincidence,” Burns added.
Kerstin Emhoff has built a significant career as a producer, working on various films, including documentaries like Manhunt: The Search for Bin Laden and horror flicks such as The Monster. Following her divorce from Doug Emhoff in 2008, she supported Harris’s vice-presidential campaign and attended the inauguration in January 2021. Their strong friendship is evident, with Harris describing Kerstin as a close companion in a 2019 essay for Elle, where she mentioned their shared parenting experiences and the enjoyable camaraderie they found in supporting each other’s children.
The Contagion connection doesn’t end there. During the podcast, Burns also discussed the unsettling reactions he received following the film’s striking parallels to real-life events during the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed discomfort at being labeled a prophet, saying, “It got very uncomfortable for me on social media for a while… people started writing to me, accusing me of being Nostradamus or working for the CIA.”
Furthermore, Burns found it troubling that media outlets often sought his perspective on public health matters despite his background as a screenwriter rather than a medical professional. “The other part, which was probably even more uncomfortable, is every once in a while, I would get a phone call from CNN or MSNBC… I would say, ‘Okay, I’ll do that, but I’m not an expert. And you really need to hear medical advice from a doctor, not a screenwriter.’”
Burns ultimately decided to include medical professionals in his media appearances to ensure that accurate health information was being communicated. “I made it kind of a rule,” he shared. “I always brought someone who knew this world.”
As the film continues to resonate with audiences in the context of the ongoing pandemic, the unexpected link between Contagion, the Emhoff family, and the vice presidency adds a fascinating layer to its legacy, showcasing how art can sometimes mirror the intricate fabric of real life in the most surprising ways.
