Matthew Lillard is an actor, director, producer, and entrepreneur with a remarkable presence spanning more than three decades in the entertainment industry.
His notable roles in blockbuster hits like Scream, Academy Award winning The Descendants, and both installments of Scooby-Doo have solidified his position as a versatile and celebrated actor in global box office successes exceeding $1.3 billion. He has also remained a vibrant figure in independent cinema, with acclaimed performances in films such as SLC Punk and David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return. This fall, Lillard will take on the role of the iconic villain William Afton in the eagerly anticipated Blumhouse/Universal trilogy Five Nights at Freddy’s.
Beyond his illustrious acting career, Lillard is a founding partner of Beadle & Grimm’s, an innovative enterprise crafting immersive gaming experiences for renowned franchises like Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and Critical Role. He’s incredibly excited to expand his entrepreneurial efforts and love for fantasy fandom into the world of whiskey with Quest’s End, and to have built such an amazing team of kindred souls at Find Familiar Spirits.
Lillard’s artistic journey began at the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City. He also ventured into directing with “Fat Kid Rules the World” (2012), which earned the Audience Award at the South by Southwest film festival.
Lillard has been married to his wife Heather since 2000 — which is 103 years in Hollywood years— and they have three children together. His favorite cocktail is a vodka cranberry, but he prefers to call it The Diablo because it sounds cooler.