Matthew Shear

Matthew Louis Shear (born October 10, 1984) is an American actor. He is known for playing the role of Tony in Noah Baumbach's Mistress America, opposite Greta Gerwig and Lola Kirke.

He played Detective Lucius Isaacson on TNT's The Alienist, based on the novel of the same name by Caleb Carr. The historical drama premiered January 22, 2018 and was nominated for Outstanding Limited Series at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards and Best Action-Thriller Television Series at the 44th Saturn Awards.

Life and career Shear was born in New York City. He is Jewish and grew up in a Reform Jewish home. graduated from St. John's College—Annapolis in 2008. His film career began the following year with a bit part in director Ang Lee's comedy-drama Taking Woodstock. He starred opposite Zosia Mamet in the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival feature, The Boy Downstairs, released to theatres on February 16, 2018, by FilmRise. He also appeared in Noah Baumbach's The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) and Marriage Story.

His prior television appearances include the CBS police procedural drama NYC 22, the Hulu supernatural comedy series Deadbeat and the Peabody Award-winning web series Horace and Pete.

Filmography + Film Year Title Role Notes 2009 Taking Woodstock Earthlight Player Red Light, Green Card Jordan Short film Milked Sam Short film 2010 Beware the Gonzo Dave Melnick 2012 Hunters Randy Animated short film 2014 Don Peyote Zebra Shaman While We're Young Benny 2015 Mistress America Tony The Statistical Analysis of Your Failing Relationship Ben Short film Marcus & the Dead Pet Marcus Short film 2016 Delinquent Mr. Simon Interior Teresa Father Jake Short film 2017 The Boy Downstairs Ben The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) Gabe 2019 Cubby LarsMarriage StoryTerry 2021 Old Sidney 2024 Between the Temples Nat 2025 Fantasy Life Sam Stein Also writer and director

+ Television Year Title Role Notes 2012 NYC 22 College boy driver Episode: "Crossing the Rubicon" 2016 Horace and Pete Zach Episode #1.2 Deadbeat Elijah Episode: "Am-ish" 2018–20 The Alienist Detective Lucius Isaacson 18 episodes 2021 Love LifeBenEpisode: "Epilogue"