Matthew Lillard Movies and TV Shows

Matthew Lillard has built one of the more diverse resumes in Hollywood, transitioning from horror villain to animated icon to dramatic supporting roles over the past three decades. Born January 24, 1970, in Lansing, Michigan, the 56-year-old actor, director, and producer first captured mainstream attention as Stu Macher in Wes Craven’s genre-defining slasher film Scream (1996), a performance that established him among the era’s most memorable horror antagonists. Since then, he has navigated across horror, comedy, and drama while also establishing himself as a voice actor and television presence.

His career trajectory reflects an unusual versatility. Following the Scream breakthrough, Lillard took on the live-action role of Norville “Shaggy” Rogers in the 2002 Scooby-Doo film and its 2004 sequel, a performance that introduced him to an entirely different audience. The actor later shifted toward more dramatic work, appearing in Alexander Payne’s The Descendants (2011), before returning to horror with a notable role in the 2023 Five Nights at Freddy’s adaptation. Beyond acting, Lillard has ventured into directing and producing, with credits spanning film, television, and animated projects.

What Was Matthew Lillard’s First Movie?

Matthew Lillard’s film debut came in 1991 with Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College, where he played Dexter Stork under the credit Matthew Lynn. While this marked his first appearance on the big screen, his first significant featured role arrived three years later in John Waters’ satirical black comedy Serial Mom (1994), portraying Chip Sutphin alongside Kathleen Turner and Ricki Lake. The Serial Mom role provided Lillard with his first substantive exposure in a high-profile theatrical release.

Key Career Insights

• Career breakthrough arrived in 1996 with Scream, establishing Lillard as a memorable slasher antagonist under Wes Craven’s direction
• Transitioned to family-friendly comedy by taking on the Shaggy Rogers role in Scooby-Doo (2002) and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)
• Shifted toward dramatic roles in the 2010s, notably appearing in Alexander Payne’s The Descendants (2011) alongside George Clooney
• Returned to horror genre with Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023), playing dual roles as Steve Raglan and William Afton
• Maintained consistent voice work in animated projects, particularly within the Scooby-Doo franchise and Adult Swim productions
• Accumulated over 100 credits across film, television, animation, and short-form content
• Upcoming projects include Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2025) and Scream 7 (2026), confirming continued engagement with horror franchises

Complete Filmography Overview

Matthew Lillard’s Role in Scream

In Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher film Scream, Matthew Lillard portrayed Stuart “Stu” Macher, one of the two antagonists orchestrating the fictional Ghostface killings in the fictional town of Woodsboro. The character operates alongside Billy Loomis (played by Skeet Ulrich), and Lillard’s performance delivered a memorable blend of charm and menace that elevated the film beyond conventional horror tropes. The role required him to navigate scenes oscillating between comedic timing and genuine threat, a range that critics noted distinguished the film’s approach to the genre.

The Character’s Impact on Lillard’s Career

Lillard’s portrayal of Stu Macher proved instrumental in establishing his screen identity. The character’s demise scene became one of Scream’s most discussed moments, and the role itself introduced Lillard to horror audiences globally. Following the 1996 release, he appeared in an uncredited extra role in Scream 2 (1997), specifically as a partygoer in a fraternity sequence, maintaining his connection to the franchise. The casting demonstrated the production team’s awareness of his screen presence, even for minor appearances.

Horror Genre Range

Beyond Scream, Lillard demonstrated versatility within horror and thriller genres. His 2001 role as Dennis Rafkin in Thirteen Ghosts allowed him to explore supernatural horror with practical effects, while his 2023 dual performance in Five Nights at Freddy’s showed his continued comfort in the genre. The William Afton / Springtrap role in particular positioned him as part of a major video game adaptation, tapping into both horror fandom and broader pop culture audiences.

Matthew Lillard Age and Net Worth

Matthew Lillard was born January 24, 1970, making him 56 years old as of 2026. His birth occurred in Lansing, Michigan, where he spent his formative years before pursuing acting studies. Multiple sources confirm his age and birthplace consistently, including his official Wikipedia entry and filmography databases such as Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb.

Financial Information

Precise net worth figures for Matthew Lillard are not specified in readily available public sources. Entertainment industry net worth estimates circulating online vary considerably and often lack verifiable documentation. As with many working actors who balance film, television, and production work, financial details remain private unless officially disclosed by the individual or confirmed through verified legal documents.

Career Span and Longevity

At 56, Lillard has maintained continuous work in the entertainment industry for over three decades, accumulating credits that span theatrical releases, television appearances, voice work, and production credits. His career longevity reflects both consistent demand for his particular skill set and adaptability across different genres and formats.

Matthew Lillard on IMDb

Matthew Lillard maintains a comprehensive presence on IMDb, the industry standard for film and television credits verification. His profile lists over 100 total credits across feature films, television series, animated projects, and short-form content. The database serves as the primary reference for casting information, release dates, and role confirmation across the industry.

IMDb Profile Highlights

His IMDb filmography demonstrates breadth across multiple entertainment categories. The theatrical feature film section covers his work from the 1991 Ghoulies III through recent releases including 2024’s The Life of Chuck. Television credits include appearances ranging from The Bridge to voice work on Robot Chicken. The animated section documents his extensive involvement with Scooby-Doo franchise productions and other animated projects.

Matthew Lillard Career Timeline

Tracing the arc of Matthew Lillard’s career reveals a performer who strategically navigated between genre pictures, studio comedies, and dramatic productions throughout his professional life.

1. 1991: Film debut in Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College
2. 1994: First significant role in John Waters’ Serial Mom
3. 1996: Career breakthrough as Stu Macher in Scream
4. 1998: Dual notable credits: Senseless and SLC Punk!
5. 2002: Assumed Shaggy Rogers role in live-action Scooby-Doo
6. 2004: Returned as Shaggy in Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
7. 2011: Dramatic turn in Alexander Payne’s The Descendants
8. 2012: Appeared in Trouble with the Curve alongside Clint Eastwood
9. 2023: Returned to horror with Five Nights at Freddy’s
10. 2026: Scheduled to appear in Scream 7 as Stu Macher

What Information Is Confirmed Versus Uncertain

As with any comprehensive entertainment figure profile, certain details about Matthew Lillard are definitively established while others remain subject to reporting limitations or deliberate privacy.

Matthew Lillard’s Career Evolution

The trajectory of Matthew Lillard’s career illustrates a performer who has successfully reinvented himself across different eras of Hollywood filmmaking. His early work positioned him as a horror and comedy actor, with the Scream role establishing instant genre recognition. The transition to Shaggy Rogers in the early 2000s demonstrated calculated brand expansion into family entertainment, a move that broadened his audience considerably.

The 2010s marked a deliberate shift toward dramatic material, with The Descendants (2011) and Trouble with the Curve (2012) representing roles that leveraged his supporting actor abilities in prestige productions. This period confirmed Lillard’s capacity to move beyond typecasting, working alongside established directors like Alexander Payne and Clint Eastwood.

More recently, his return to horror with Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) tapped into the growing market for video game adaptations while reintroducing him to younger audiences familiar with the franchise. The continued engagement with horror franchises through upcoming releases suggests Lillard has found a sustainable niche that combines his genre roots with contemporary entertainment trends.

Sources and References

Information regarding Matthew Lillard’s filmography draws from multiple authoritative entertainment databases. His Wikipedia entry provides comprehensive biographical and career details supported by inline citations. Rotten Tomatoes offers verified audience and critic scores for individual productions alongside a complete filmography listing. Additional verification comes from TV Guide’s credit database, which tracks television appearances and streaming availability.

Matthew Lillard has built one of the more versatile resumes in contemporary Hollywood, moving seamlessly between horror, comedy, drama, and voice work across multiple decades of consistent professional activity.

Summary

Matthew Lillard’s career as an actor, director, and producer spans over three decades and encompasses more than 100 credits across film, television, and animation. From his 1996 breakthrough as Stu Macher in Scream to his ongoing work in horror franchises, he has demonstrated remarkable adaptability across genres. His portrayal of Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo films introduced him to family audiences, while later dramatic roles in The Descendants showed range beyond comedy and horror. With upcoming projects in both the Scream and Five Nights at Freddy’s franchises, Lillard remains an active presence in entertainment, particularly within the horror genre where he established his initial reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions