Matthew Lillard – Biography, Movies, Net Worth and Career

Matthew Lillard is an American actor, director, and producer who has built a career on memorable, often eccentric roles. He is best known for playing Stu Macher in the 1996 horror classic Scream and for bringing Norville “Shaggy” Rogers to life in both live‑action and animated Scooby‑Doo projects. In recent years, a new generation discovered him as William Afton in the Five Nights at Freddy’s film.

Born on January 24, 1970, in Lansing, Michigan, Lillard began appearing in films in the early 1990s. His breakout came with Scream, and he has since remained a recognizable genre and voice actor across film and television. He also moved into directing and producing, including directing Fat Kid Rules the World.

Lillard’s career spans cult classics, major franchises, and independent projects. He has transitioned seamlessly from live‑action roles to becoming the definitive voice of Shaggy Rogers, and his recent work in Five Nights at Freddy’s has introduced him to a wide new audience.

What Are the Best Matthew Lillard Movies and TV Shows?

Key Insights

• Resurgence: Lillard has seen a significant career resurgence with the horror‑adjacent role in FNAF.
• Voice Actor Legacy: He is one of the few actors who transitioned seamlessly from a live‑action role (Shaggy) to becoming the definitive voice of the character.
• Niche Dominance: Lillard has carved a niche playing eccentric, “cereal killer” type characters in cult classics.
• Financial Success: Despite not being a traditional A‑list leading man, his recurring roles in franchises (Scooby‑Doo, FNAF) have likely contributed to a stable and high net worth.

Notable Roles and Credits

Who Did Matthew Lillard Play in the Five Nights at Freddy’s Movie?

In the 2023 film adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy’s, Lillard portrays Steve Raglan, who is later revealed to be William Afton – the primary antagonist of the video game series. The role introduced him to a much younger, Gen Z audience and marked a major return to horror after decades.

Is Matthew Lillard in the FNAF Cast?

Yes. Lillard is listed as a main cast member in the 2023 Five Nights at Freddy’s film. Search results also connect him to the upcoming sequel Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, though that project has not yet been released.

Is Matthew Lillard Still the Voice of Shaggy?

After Casey Kasem retired from the role in 2009, Lillard became the official voice of Shaggy Rogers in animated projects. He has voiced the character in series such as Scooby‑Doo! Mystery Incorporated and Be Cool, Scooby‑Doo!, and he also reprised the role in a 2018 crossover episode of Supernatural.

What Was Matthew Lillard Like When He Was Young?

Lillard began his film career in the early 1990s with small roles. His first credited appearance was in Ghoulies 3: Ghoulies Go to College (1991). He then gained attention with a supporting role in John Waters’ Serial Mom (1994) and as the eccentric hacker “Cereal Killer” in Hackers (1995).

How Did Matthew Lillard Start His Career?

His breakthrough came in 1996 with Scream, where he played Stu Macher, one of the Ghostface killers. That role made him a recognizable face in horror and opened doors to a wide range of film and television work. He built a career that includes both studio films and independent projects, showing versatility in comedies, dramas, and horror.

What Is Matthew Lillard’s Net Worth and Height?

Reliable, publicly available sources do not provide a confirmed figure for Matthew Lillard’s net worth or height. The search results used for this article do not include a verified net worth estimate, and height is not consistently reported across authoritative databases. Any numbers found online should be treated as unofficial estimates.

What Is Matthew Lillard’s Career Timeline?

1. 1970 – Born in Lansing, Michigan.
2. 1994 – Breakthrough role in Serial Mom.
3. 1996 – Starred in Scream as Stu Macher.
4. 2002 – First appeared as Shaggy in the live‑action Scooby‑Doo film.
5. 2010 – Became the official voice of Shaggy for animated series and games.
6. 2023 – Cast as William Afton in Five Nights at Freddy’s.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Matthew Lillard?

What Is Matthew Lillard’s Cultural Impact?

Lillard’s character Stu Macher from Scream has evolved into a horror icon and a frequent subject of internet memes. The film’s legacy keeps his performance relevant decades later. His transition from live‑action Shaggy to the definitive animated voice of the character represents a rare cultural shift in how a beloved franchise role is passed on. The Five Nights at Freddy’s role introduced him to a massive Gen Z audience, expanding his fanbase far beyond the original 1990s generation.

What Are the Sources for Matthew Lillard’s Biography?

Information about Lillard’s life and career is widely documented in encyclopedic and database sources. Key references include his Wikipedia entry, his IMDb filmography, and his Rotten Tomatoes profile. Additional details about his convention appearances and career milestones can be found at Convention All Stars. His participation in the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise is also listed on Apple TV.

“I am an expressionist.”

Matthew Lillard (Instagram bio, as paraphrased in search results)

Lillard became the official voice of Shaggy Rogers.

IMDb summary

What Is the Summary of Matthew Lillard’s Career?

Matthew Lillard is a versatile actor, director, and producer whose career spans over three decades. He is best known for playing Stu Macher in Scream, Shaggy Rogers in Scooby‑Doo (both live‑action and animated), and William Afton in Five Nights at Freddy’s. His work has made him a fixture in horror, comedy, and voice acting. For more on similar actors, see Milla Jovovich – Biography, Movies, Net Worth and Family and Patrick Wilson – Biography, Movies, Net Worth and Family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew Lillard