Matthew Lillard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matthew Lillard
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![]() Lillard in 2024
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Born |
Matthew Lyn Lillard
January 24, 1970 Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
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Education | Fullerton College American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1990–present |
Spouse(s) |
Heather Helm
(m. 2000) |
Children | 3 |
Matthew Lyn Lillard (born January 24, 1970) is an American actor. He is famous for playing many different characters in movies and TV shows. You might know him best as Shaggy Rogers in the live-action Scooby-Doo movies from 2002 and 2004. He also became the official voice of Shaggy in animated cartoons and movies starting in 2009!
Matthew Lillard has been in many popular films like Scream (1996), where he played Stu Macher, and Hackers (1995). More recently, he starred in the 2023 movie Five Nights at Freddy's, based on the popular video game. Even though many of his roles are funny, he has also shown his talent in serious movies and TV shows.
Early Life and School
Matthew Lillard was born in Lansing, Michigan, on January 24, 1970. He grew up in Tustin, California. He has a younger sister named Amy.
After high school, Matthew went to Fullerton College. Then, he studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California. Another famous actor, Paul Rudd, was also a student there at the same time! Matthew also studied acting in New York City at the Circle in the Square Theatre School.
His Acting Journey
Matthew Lillard started his career as a co-host on a TV show called SK8-TV. He also had a small role in a movie called Ghoulies 3: Ghoulies Go to College in 1991.
In 1994, he got a role in the comedy movie Serial Mom. The next year, he was in five different movies, including Hackers. This movie was about a group of high school students who stopped a big company's bad plans.
A big role for him was playing Stu Macher in the horror film Scream in 1996. He also played Stevo in the independent movie SLC Punk! and Dennis Rafkin in Thirteen Ghosts.

Becoming Shaggy
Matthew Lillard became very well-known for playing Shaggy Rogers in the live-action Scooby-Doo movie in 2002. He played Shaggy again in the sequel, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, in 2004.
When Casey Kasem, the original voice of Shaggy, retired in 2009, Matthew Lillard was chosen to take over the voice role! He has voiced Shaggy in many animated TV shows like Mystery Incorporated and Be Cool Scooby-Doo!, and in many animated movies since 2010.
Other Notable Roles
Besides his funny roles, Matthew Lillard has also shown his serious acting skills. He appeared in the movie The Descendants (2011) and the TV series Twin Peaks: The Return (2017). From 2018 to 2021, he starred as Dean Boland in the TV show Good Girls.
In 2012, Matthew Lillard also directed his first movie, a drama called Fat Kid Rules the World.
More recently, in 2023, he was cast in the live-action movie based on the popular video game Five Nights at Freddy's. He will also be in the sequel, Five Nights at Freddy's 2, in 2025.
Other Projects
Matthew Lillard is also a co-founder of a company called Beadle and Grimms. This company makes special, limited-edition products for games like Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.
He also helped start a company called Find Familiar Spirits, which makes and sells special drinks.
Personal Life
Matthew Lillard married Heather Helm on August 26, 2000. They have three children and live in Los Angeles.
Matthew is a big fan of Dungeons & Dragons! He has even played in tournaments and joined online D&D games with other famous players.
Awards and Recognition
Matthew Lillard has won and been nominated for several awards for his acting.
- In 1999, he won the Best Actor award at the Mar del Plata Film Festival for his role in SLC Punk!.
- For his role as Shaggy in Scooby-Doo, he won a Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award in 2003 for "Favorite part in a Movie".
- He was also nominated for awards with the casts of The Descendants (2011) and Fat Kid Rules the World (2012).
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Matthew Lillard para niños
- List of American Academy of Dramatic Arts people
- "Scream king" / "Scream queen"