50 Facts About Matthew Lillard

Early Life and Education

Matthew Lillard's journey to Hollywood stardom began in the heart of Michigan and took him to the sunny streets of California. His early life and education laid the foundation for his versatile career.

1. Matthew Lyn Lillard was born on January 24, 1970, in Lansing, Michigan.
2. Parents: He is the son of Paula and Jeffrey Lillard.
3. Relocation: The Lillard family moved to Tustin, California, where Matthew spent his formative years.
4. High School: He attended high school in Tustin, graduating before pursuing his passion for acting.
5. Drama School: Lillard attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California.
6. Theater Company: He co-founded the Mean Street Ensemble theater company, which operated until 1991.

Career Beginnings

Matthew's early career was marked by a variety of roles that showcased his talent and versatility. From hosting TV shows to landing his first acting gigs, these experiences set the stage for his future success.

7. First Acting Gig: His first role was as an extra in Ghoulies 3: Ghoulies Go to College (1991).
8. TV Host: He became the host of SK8-TV, a Nickelodeon program featuring interviews with skaters.
9. Breakthrough Role: His breakthrough came in 1994 with Serial Mom, where he played Chip Sutphin.

Iconic Roles

Matthew Lillard's career took off with several iconic roles that have left a lasting impact on pop culture. These roles showcased his ability to bring unique and memorable characters to life.

10. Hackers (1995): He played Emmanuel "Cereal Killer" Goldstein, a role that became a cult classic.
11. Scream (1996): Lillard's portrayal of Stu Macher redefined the horror genre.
12. SLC Punk (1998): He starred as Stevo, adding another quirky character to his repertoire.
13. She's All That (1999): Played Brock Hudson, a fame-hungry reality star.
14. Thirteen Ghosts (2001): Appeared as Dennis Rafkin in this supernatural horror film.
15. Without a Paddle (2004): Played Jerry Conlaine in this comedy film.

Scooby-Doo and Beyond

One of Matthew's most beloved roles is Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo franchise. His portrayal of Shaggy has endeared him to fans of all ages.

16. Scooby-Doo (2002): Portrayed Shaggy Rogers in the live-action film.
17. Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004): Reprised his role as Shaggy.
18. Voice Acting: Continued to voice Shaggy in various animated series and films.
19. MultiVersus (2024): Voiced Shaggy in the crossover video game MultiVersus.
20. Jellystone (2024): Reprised his role as Shaggy in the animated series Jellystone.

Dramatic Roles

Matthew Lillard has also demonstrated his ability to tackle more serious and dramatic roles, showcasing his range as an actor.

21. The Descendants (2011): Guest-starred in this drama film opposite George Clooney.
22. Trouble with the Curve (2012): Appeared in this baseball-themed drama.
23. Match (2014): Played Daniel Frye in this romantic drama.
24. Twin Peaks: The Return (2017): Starred as William Hastings in the third season of Twin Peaks.
25. Good Girls (2018-2021): Co-starred as Dean Boland in this NBC series.
26. Bosch (2016): Recurring role as FBI undercover agent Luke Goshen.

Directorial and Producing Ventures

Matthew Lillard has expanded his career beyond acting, venturing into directing and producing. His work behind the camera has been as impactful as his on-screen performances.

27. Directorial Debut: Directed Fat Kid Rules the World (2012), a coming-of-age drama.
28. Executive Producer: Worked on Faster, Purple Worm Kill Kill (2023).
29. Killer Cakes (2024): Served as an executive producer for this TV mini-series.

Television Appearances

In addition to his film career, Matthew Lillard has made numerous appearances on television, further showcasing his versatility.

30. The Bridge (2013): Played Daniel Frye in this American TV series.
31. Criminal Minds (2012): Guest-starred in an episode of this crime drama series.
32. Supernatural (2018): Reprised his role as Shaggy Rogers in a crossover episode.
33. Under Wraps (2014): Starred as Peter in this animated film.
34. House (2011): Guest-starred in an episode of this medical drama series.
35. All That (2003): Appeared as himself/hairdresser in an episode of this Nickelodeon sketch comedy series.

Lesser-Known Roles

While some roles have defined his career, Matthew Lillard has also taken on lesser-known roles that highlight his willingness to explore different genres and characters.

36. It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002): Played Luc Fromage in this festive television film.
37. Nash Bridges (1997): Appeared as Brian Van Pelt in an episode of this crime drama series.
38. The Devil's Child (1997): Played Tim in this television film.
39. If These Walls Could Talk (1996): Appeared as a protester in this television film.
40. Vanishing Son IV (1994): Played Dawson in this action-adventure television film.

Personal Life

Beyond his professional achievements, Matthew Lillard's personal life is equally interesting. His family and personal experiences have shaped the person he is today.

41. Marriage: Married Heather Helm on August 26, 2000.
42. Children: They have three children together: Addison Grace, Hayden, and Myles.
43. Height: Stands at 6 feet 3.5 inches tall, giving him a distinctive physical presence.

Awards and Trivia

Matthew Lillard's career has been recognized with various awards and nominations. Additionally, some interesting trivia about him adds to his unique persona.

44. Awards: Received three wins and 13 nominations for his performances.
45. Voice of Shaggy: Became the official voice of Shaggy Rogers after Casey Kasem retired in 2009.
46. Career Evolution: Evolved from quirky characters in cult classics to serious roles in dramas.
47. Producing Credits: Executive produced several projects, including Faster, Purple Worm Kill Kill and Killer Cakes.
48. Voice Acting Career: Extensive voice acting career, particularly as Shaggy Rogers.
49. Television Appearances: Appeared in numerous television shows, demonstrating his versatility.
50. Impact on Pop Culture: Significant impact on pop culture, particularly with his portrayal of Shaggy Rogers.

Matthew Lillard: A Versatile Talent

Matthew Lillard's career showcases his incredible range and dedication. From his early days on SK8-TV to iconic roles in Scream and Scooby-Doo, he’s proven his versatility time and again. His portrayal of Shaggy Rogers has become legendary, and his work in films like Hackers and SLC Punk cemented his status as a cult favorite. Beyond acting, Lillard has made his mark as a director and producer, with projects like Fat Kid Rules the World and Killer Cakes. His continued success in both film and television, including roles in Good Girls and Five Nights at Freddy's, highlights his adaptability in an ever-changing industry. With a career spanning decades, Matthew Lillard remains a beloved and respected figure in Hollywood, known for his talent, dedication, and ability to bring unique characters to life.