Matthew Gray Gubler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matthew Gray Gubler
Gubler in 2017
Born	(1980-03-09) March 9, 1980 (age 45) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Alma mater	New York University
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2000–present

Matthew Gray Gubler (pronounced GOOB-ler; born March 9, 1980) is an American actor, director, and author. He is most famous for playing the brilliant Dr. Spencer Reid on the TV show Criminal Minds. He is also known as the voice of Simon the chipmunk in the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies.

Gubler has also acted in movies like The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, (500) Days of Summer, and Life After Beth. Besides acting, he has directed episodes of Criminal Minds, written a best-selling children's book, and is a talented painter.

Early Life and School

Matthew Gray Gubler was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. His mother, Marilyn, was a rancher and a political consultant, which is someone who helps people run for government office. His father, John, was a lawyer.

Gubler went to the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts for high school. He wanted to study filmmaking, but the school didn't offer it. So, he chose to study acting instead. After high school, he moved to New York City. He graduated from New York University's famous Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied film directing.

Career

Modeling

While he was a student at New York University, a talent scout discovered Gubler. He began working as a model for famous brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, and American Eagle. He was once ranked as one of the top 50 male models in the world.

Acting Career

Gubler (far left) with the cast of Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds

Gubler's big break came in 2005 when he was cast in the TV series Criminal Minds. He played Dr. Spencer Reid, a super-smart criminal profiler for the FBI. The show was very popular and ran for 15 seasons, from 2005 to 2020. Gubler was in every season and became a fan favorite. In 2017, the show won a People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Drama.

Movie Roles

While working on Criminal Minds, Gubler also acted in many movies. He had a small part in the movie RV (2006) and played a character named Paul in (500) Days of Summer (2009).

He is well-known for his voice acting. He was the voice of the smart chipmunk, Simon, in four Alvin and the Chipmunks movies between 2007 and 2015. He also voiced characters in animated movies like Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur and for DC Comics films. He was the voice of Jimmy Olsen in All-Star Superman and the Riddler in Batman: Assault on Arkham.

In 2014, he starred in the zombie comedy Life After Beth and the movie Suburban Gothic. For his role in Suburban Gothic, he won the Best Actor award at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival.

Directing and Filmmaking

Gubler has also worked behind the camera as a director. He directed 12 episodes of Criminal Minds, putting his own creative touch on the show he starred in.

He also directed a music video for the rock band The Killers for their song "Don't Shoot Me Santa". Early in his career, he made a documentary about the making of the movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, which he also acted in.

Painting and Art

Gubler is a skilled painter. His artwork has been shown in galleries. In 2005, a gallery in the Czech Republic showed 12 of his watercolor paintings, and all of them were sold.

He sometimes uses his art to help others. In 2011, he sold one of his paintings, called "Mushface," on eBay for $10,100. He donated all the money to help build a new performing arts center in his hometown of Las Vegas.

Writing Children's Books

In 2019, Gubler wrote and illustrated his first book, Rumple Buttercup: A Story of Bananas, Belonging and Being Yourself. He drew every picture and even hand-wrote all the words in the book.

The book is about a strange-looking character who worries he won't fit in. Gubler said he wrote it "for anyone who's ever felt like they didn't quite fit in, just to make them know that they're not alone." The book was a huge success and became a #1 New York Times Best Seller. In 2023, he released a second book, The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand, which also became a #1 best seller.

Personal Life

Gubler splits his time living in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York City.

In 2009, he dislocated his knee while dancing. The injury was serious and required surgery. For about a year, he had to use a cane to walk. The writers of Criminal Minds even wrote his injury into the show for his character, Dr. Reid.

On October 27, 2014, Gubler became a certified minister. A month later, he officiated the wedding for his Criminal Minds co-star Paget Brewster.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Matthew Gray Gubler para niños