Matthew Lillard – Height, Age, Net Worth and Career

Matthew Lillard has been a fixture on screen for more than three decades, moving from 1990s cult classics to blockbuster franchises. Best known for playing Stu Macher in Scream, Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo live-action films, and William Afton in Five Nights at Freddy’s, his career spans horror, comedy, animation, and behind-the-camera work. This article provides verified facts about his age, height, net worth, filmography, and recent projects, based on publicly available records.

Born in Lansing, Michigan, on January 24, 1970, Lillard grew up in Tustin, California, where he discovered acting in high school. He later trained at the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York. His first film role came in 1991, but it was his appearance in John Waters’ Serial Mom (1994) that put him on the map.

Since then, he has worked steadily across film, television, voice acting, and directing. In 2026, Lillard remains active, with multiple projects in the pipeline and a strong presence on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

What Is Matthew Lillard’s Height, Age, and Net Worth?

Matthew Lillard at a Glance

Key Insights

• Lillard’s career has spanned more than 30 years, transitioning from 1990s teen horror to blockbuster voice acting and franchise villain roles.
• His role as Stu Macher in Scream (1996) remains one of his most iconic, regularly cited in horror retrospectives.
• His casting as William Afton in the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie (2023) introduced him to a new generation of fans.
• Despite an uncredited appearance in Pulp Fiction, Lillard never worked with Quentin Tarantino in a major leading role.
• In 2011, he directed and produced the independent film Fat Kid Rules the World.
• He is one of the few actors from his era to maintain relevance across Gen X and Gen Z fandoms, partly through active engagement on TikTok and Instagram.

Matthew Lillard Fast Facts

What Movies and TV Shows Has Matthew Lillard Been In?

Lillard’s filmography includes a mix of mainstream hits, indie darlings, and cult favorites. His early roles in the 1990s, such as Cereal Killer in Hackers (1995) and Stevo in SLC Punk! (1998), developed a loyal following. He also appeared in the teen comedy She’s All That (1999) as Brock Hudson.

Who Did Matthew Lillard Play in Scream?

He portrayed Stuart “Stu” Macher, one of the two killers in Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher Scream. The character became a horror icon, with Lillard’s manic performance frequently highlighted in genre reviews. He later made an uncredited cameo in Scream 2 (1997) as a party guest.

What Role Did Matthew Lillard Play in Daredevil?

In the 2003 film Daredevil, Lillard played John Blackburn, a minor role. More recently, he is reported to appear in the Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again, though details remain unconfirmed.

Has Matthew Lillard Worked with Quentin Tarantino?

He appeared as an uncredited extra in Pulp Fiction (1994), but never had a substantial role in any Tarantino project. This is sometimes exaggerated in online biographies.

Is Matthew Lillard Involved in the Five Nights at Freddy’s Franchise?

Yes. In the 2023 film adaptation of the popular video game, Lillard played William Afton, also using the alias Steve Raglan. The role was widely anticipated by fans, and his performance contributed to the film’s commercial success.

What Character Does Matthew Lillard Play in FNAF?

He portrays the franchise’s main antagonist, William Afton, the founder of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza and the serial killer at the center of the story. In the 2025 sequel Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, he returns as Afton, now appearing as the Yellow Rabbit.

What Was Matthew Lillard Like as a Young Actor?

Lillard’s early career was defined by offbeat, energetic roles. After his debut in Ghoulies III (1991), he appeared in John Waters’ Serial Mom (1994), which showcased his comic timing and willingness to embrace eccentric characters. The following year, he played the quirky hacker Cereal Killer in Hackers (1995), a film that later gained cult status.

His breakout came in 1996 with Scream, but he continued to choose varied projects: the punk drama SLC Punk! (1998), the teen romance She’s All That (1999), and later the family-friendly Scooby-Doo films. Young Lillard often brought high energy and a slightly unhinged quality to his performances, a trademark that would serve him well in both horror and comedy.

Matthew Lillard Career Timeline

1. 1970 — Born in Lansing, Michigan.
2. 1991 — First film role in Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College.
3. 1994 — Notable role in Serial Mom.
4. 1996 — Played Stu Macher in Scream.
5. 1997 — Uncredited cameo in Scream 2.
6. 2002 — Voiced Shaggy in What’s New, Scooby-Doo? and played Shaggy in live-action Scooby-Doo.
7. 2003 — Played John Blackburn in Daredevil.
8. 2023 — Portrayed William Afton in Five Nights at Freddy’s.
9. 2025 — Returned as William Afton / Yellow Rabbit in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.

Beyond the Limelight: Clarifying the Gaps and Rumors

The Matthew Lillard Renaissance: From 90s Icon to Gen Z Favorite

Matthew Lillard’s career represents a rare arc of sustained relevance. Emerging from the 90s independent film boom, he cemented himself as a horror icon in Scream, then crossed over into family-friendly territory as the voice of Shaggy. In the 2020s, the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise gave him a supernatural villain role that resonated with a younger, digital-native audience.

Unlike many 90s actors who peaked early, Lillard successfully reinvented himself through voice acting and embracing fan culture. He regularly appears at conventions and engages directly on TikTok, making him one of the few performers from his era to bridge the gap between Gen X and Gen Z fandoms.

His net worth, though not definitively public, reflects steady work across film, television, video games, and voice acting — including lucrative franchise roles. Whether the $2 million estimate or higher figures are accurate, his career output suggests a comfortable livelihood built on decades of consistent employment.

Verified Sources and Key Quotes

• Wikipedia – Matthew Lillard (age, height, birth location, filmography)
• IMDb – Matthew Lillard (height, filmography, personal details)
• Legit.ng – Matthew Lillard biography (height and early roles)
• Marca – Net worth estimate ($2 million as of 2026)
• Rotten Tomatoes – Matthew Lillard (filmography and career overview)
• ScreenCrush – FNAF casting confirmation (role announcement)

What Is Next for Matthew Lillard?

Lillard’s 2026 schedule includes potential returns to both the Five Nights at Freddy’s and Scream franchises, as well as reported involvement in Daredevil: Born Again, Cross, Carrie, and Behemoth. He continues to voice Shaggy in Scooby-Doo projects and maintains an active social media presence. For more actor biographies, see our guide on Bella Ramsey – Age, Pronouns, Health and Career Guide and Joseph Quinn – Biography, Age, Height and All Roles.

Frequently Asked Questions