Matt Newton


Matthew Newton is an American actor, filmmaker and acting coach.

Personal life

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Newton was raised in Guilford, Connecticut. He is the son of Thomas Newton and Jennifer Newton, whose parents were arranger and composer Bruce Chase and violinist Fannie Chase. He is of English, Czech, Norwegian, French, and Scottish descent. Newton is a first cousin once removed of the actress Sienna Miller.
He began performing musicals and plays at local theaters while in high school. Following graduation from high school, Newton studied at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and Vassar College, from which he graduated with an A.B. in Drama. Newton moved to New York City in 1999 and landed roles in various television series, including that of Alan, the blind football player, in the Comedy Central hit Strangers With Candy, and guest appearances on Judging Amy and Gilmore Girls. His first film role was opposite Jeremy Renner and Bruce Davison in the independent film Dahmer, which was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards.
His sister, Becki Newton, is an actress who appeared as Amanda Tanen in Ugly Betty, and his brother-in-law, Chris Diamantopoulos, is featured in the television series 24. Newton's mother, Jennifer, is an artist, and his aunt, Stephanie Chase, is a classical violinist. Newton makes his home in New Canaan, CT.

Career

Newton started his professional career as a television and film actor, before becoming a filmmaker and acclaimed acting coach. As an actor, Newton guest starred on Dragnet, Strangers with Candy, Family Law, Dragnet, JAG, Royal Pains, Ugly Betty, Drake and Josh Go Hollywood, Miracles, The Americans, All My Children, Gilmore Girls, and starred in the films Van Wilder, Poster Boy, Dahmer, and The Men Who Stare at Goats, and appeared in countless commercials.
In 2010 Newton started his own acting studio in NYC, and became a sought after acting coach. His coaching credits include Jessica Jones, Orange is the New Black, Blue Bloods, The Affair, Master of None, and Ava Duvernay’s When They See Us on Netflix.
In 2016 Newton turned to directing, and wrote and produced several short films, including Hide/Seek, Vacation Rental, Pretty People Inc, and Sins of the Son.
In 2020 Newton published the book The No B.S. Guide to the Acting Biz, which was ranked by Forbes as "Top 5 Books to Read in an Uncertain Market."

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000Strangers With CandyAlan Tiresias, the blind football playerEpisode: "Behind Blank Eyes"
2000Family LawSean LundbergEpisode: "Telling Lies"
2000Judging AmyTaylor BradfordEpisode: "Gray vs. Gray"
2001UndressedJeff3 episodes
2002JAGP.O. Derrick NewtonEpisode: "Odd Man Out"
2002Gilmore GirlsJack SpringsteenEpisode "Application Anxiety"
2003DragnetGreg KovikEpisode: "The Big Ruckus"
2003MiraclesJimmyEpisode: "The Bone Scatterer"
2004Anna's DreamNeil KennedyTelevision film
2005Criminal MindsJordanEpisode: "Broken Mirror"
2006Drake & Josh Go HollywoodDeeganTelevision film
2007All My ChildrenTom Brennan2 episodes
2008Guiding LightLawrence2 episodes
2009–2010Ugly BettyTroy5 episodes
2013Royal PainsJonesEpisode: "Game of Phones"