Matt Newton

Matthew Newton (born May 11, 1977) 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 (née Chase), whose parents were arranger and composer Bruce Chase and violinist Fannie (née Paschell) 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 (2002), 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 (MN 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 (winner Best Director), 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 +Film Year Title Role Notes 2002Dahmer Lance Bell 2002 National Lampoon's Van Wilder Male Sophomore Credited as Matthew Newton 2004 Poster Boy Henry Kray 2009 The Men Who Stare at Goats Private Chris 2009 Peace of Mind Stephen Short film 2020 Murder Manual Quinn

+Television Year Title Role Notes 2000 Strangers With Candy Alan Tiresias, the blind football player Episode: "Behind Blank Eyes" 2000 Family Law Sean Lundberg Episode: "Telling Lies" 2000 Judging Amy Taylor Bradford Episode: "Gray vs. Gray" 2001 Undressed Jeff 3 episodes 2002 JAG P.O. Derrick Newton Episode: "Odd Man Out" 2002 Gilmore Girls Jack Springsteen Episode "Application Anxiety" 2003 Dragnet Greg Kovik Episode: "The Big Ruckus" 2003 Miracles Jimmy Episode: "The Bone Scatterer" 2004 Anna's Dream Neil Kennedy Television film 2005 Criminal Minds Jordan Episode: "Broken Mirror" 2006 Drake & Josh Go Hollywood Deegan Television film 2007 All My Children Tom Brennan 2 episodes 2008 Guiding Light Lawrence 2 episodes 2009–2010 Ugly Betty Troy 5 episodes 2013 Royal Pains Jones Episode: "Game of Phones"