Celebrity Info
Born in August 1975 in Ventura, California, Matt Shakman quickly made a name for himself as a child actor. Early on, he appeared in guest roles on well-known television series such as “The Facts of Life” (NBC, 1979–1988) and “Diff’rent Strokes” (NBC/ABC, 1978–1986). As his career progressed, Matt Shakman landed a breakout role as a series regular on “Just the Ten of Us” (ABC, 1988–1990), a beloved spinoff of the hit show “Growing Pains” (ABC, 1985–1992). This role turned out to be Matt Shakman’s final performance as a young actor before shifting his focus toward further education.
Matt Shakman then attended Yale University, where he immersed himself in theater and art history—fields that would deeply influence his future creative direction. His passion for storytelling behind the camera began to take shape after he directed a production for the Black Dahlia Theater Company in Los Angeles. That early work caught the attention of renowned writer-director-producer Ed Zwick, who invited Matt Shakman to shadow him on the set of the critically acclaimed drama “Once and Again” (ABC, 1999–2002). This experience proved pivotal. By 2002, Matt Shakman earned his first official directing credit on the same series, marking the beginning of a steady and successful career in television direction.
From there, Matt Shakman built an impressive resume, helming episodes across a wide range of popular shows. He lent his directorial talents to multiple installments of “House, M.D.” (Fox, 2004–2012), “Psych” (USA, 2006–2009), and “The Good Wife” (CBS, 2009–). One of his most notable long-term collaborations began in 2007 when Matt Shakman directed his first episode of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Over time, his involvement grew significantly, and by 2015, Matt Shakman had directed nearly 40 episodes of the cult-favorite comedy.
In addition to his ongoing TV work, Matt Shakman took on major projects that expanded his reach. In 2015, he directed the pilot for the much-anticipated limited series “Heroes Reborn” (NBC, 2015), bringing renewed energy to the franchise. That same year, Matt Shakman stepped into the world of feature films with his directorial debut, “Cut Bank”—a crime drama starring Liam Hemsworth, John Malkovich, and Billy Bob Thornton. With each new project, Matt Shakman continued to demonstrate his versatility and keen eye for compelling narratives, solidifying his place as a respected figure in both television and film.
So, when we take a look at Matt Shakman’s filmography, it’s pretty interesting to see how his work has evolved over the years. Right now, Matt Shakman’s highest rated movie is The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), which has been receiving a lot of buzz and positive feedback even ahead of its release. Fans are definitely excited about what Matt Shakman brings to the superhero genre, and early reactions suggest he’s really stepping into his element with this one. On the other end of the spectrum, Matt Shakman’s lowest rated film so far is Cut Bank (2014). While it had its moments and a solid cast, it just didn’t resonate as strongly with audiences or critics. Still, it’s worth noting that every director has highs and lows, and Matt Shakman seems to be building serious momentum. With projects like The Fantastic Four: First Steps under his belt, Matt Shakman is definitely a name to watch in the coming years.
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