wow, he’s got a lot of projects going on, must have a lot of free time on his hands…
But congrats to him for getting his name out there! Wish i could see it but i live all the way in the middle east [so far away from him ]
cant wait to see him in ” in time” and especially in “magic mike”

This is great. Hit Tv show, film, Broadway. He is building a great career!

Matt seems to be a perpetual motion machine. He doesn’t seem to ever rest. While I love to see him get lots of different roles in various mediums, I hope he finds time to stop and smell the roses.

He has much to be proud of and his work ethic is one such a thing. He loves his chosen profession and is very serious about. I cheer him on as it is rare to love what you do for a living.

Love this boy!

Sharon M, think about it. Matt is 33 and has only been in literally a handful of Tv, films, plays since he because an actor at 21. Do you not think he has spent many, many years smelling the frigging roses?! Especially aftere Guiding Light, he did nothing that we can see for another 2 years? And then after Texas Chainsaw M..he did nothing until Traveler…

As an actor, boy that kid is either really, really laid back or really lazy.

We know he isn’t lazy, so I think Matt realizes he likes to “smell the roses” a bit too much.

No offense to him but for someone that amazingly good-looking, charismatic, photo/filmgenic…I can’t help but wonder why he hasn’t done more in his career?

@ R, personally I am quite sure Matt wasn’t “smelling the roses” or “being laid back” or anthing along those lines during the periods when he wasn’t working – he just couldn’t get work. Do you know how incredibly hard it is for an actor to get work in Hollywood or New York, or, well, anywhere? Even well-known names struggle.

It might be obvious to us how talented, charismatic etc. he is, but even very talented actors never make it at all. We’re lucky Jeff Eastin gave him the role in “White Collar”. Matt’s said that before that, he was finding work so hard to come by, he was seriously contemplating leaving the profession all together.

It’s very clear from how busy he’s keeping himself now that he DOES have opportunities coming his way that he’s someone who will make the most of those opportunities, and that he’s doing his best to capitalise on the exposure “White Collar” has given him.

As for this play, not only is it great additional exposure, it’s clearly for a cause close to Matt’s heart. Not only is this one-off performance a fund raiser, but the play itself will then be offered to schools and community groups:

“Following the New York debut on September 19, AFER and fellow producer Broadway Impact will license “8” to schools and community organizations nationwide in order to spur action, dialogue and understanding. AFER and Broadway Impact will help produce these staged readings across the country, so that “8” will live on beyond its September premiere. If you represent a local theater interested in staging a production of “8,” email contact@broadwayimpact.com.”

http://www.afer.org/broadway8/

Landing a role is very difficult and I think Matt’s looks probably prevented him from getting certain gritty roles he was looking and trying out for. Everything comes in time and the good news is that Matt’s time has finally come and his maturity sure shows and will help him manage how big he is about to become. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

I completely agree Sab and I understand having worked in the creative industries.

But I also know that you need to work it. Yes WC has opened the door for Matt somewhat…..but it’s his publicists that deserve the praise.

Look at other shows in USA that get much higher ratings then WC but do yu see their actors everywhere?

Also, Matt has MADE the character of Neal. I watch the show purely because of him. It’s funny and I love the clothes but I tend to like deeper stuff, more edge, so for me MB is the main reason I consistently follow the show. Otherwise, I’d take it or leave it like I do with other shows that I like but not really love.

Matt is always going to say that WC ‘gave him so many opportunities’ as if anyone looks like Matt, looks that good in suits, has that voice and can make the Neal character his own-which Jeff says they do with Tim and Matt, they actually put in their personality in the characters.

The issue with Matt and so many of my friends who quit when the going got tough is that they don’t know how to play the game. Or some don’t want to. I will never forget what a very talented friend of mine explained why she didn’t become an actress “I realized I had forgotten the business part of ‘show business’.

Anyways, not shitting on Matt here but I’ve liked him since Texas chainsaw but couldn’t get more info on him. I just thank his super publicists for putting this shy guy out here!

Never think that bad actors like Justin Timberlake etc are not working their asses off networking to make sure they get roles, though I’m sure JT does more then that…cough, cough. It’s not luck. It’s mercenary gritty ambitious determination to be a ‘movie star’.

Also,it’s worth noting that I’ve noticed that MB’s interviews have become much more nuanced and apt about the industry as time goes on. Less naive and more realistic.

Especially that Sioux City interview when he mentions that it doesn’t matter how great the show you are in is because if you don’t have the right people behind you to make it work, it won’t. Or something like that.

I can’t wait until he talks more freely about his private life because no doubt his loved ones have had a huge influence on his life in a positive way and would love to hear him open up about that.

@R It’s his publicists that deserve the praise? Super publicists? I can’t believe I read this not on the gossip site but Matt’s fansite. Matt’s personal life has nothing to do with his career.

@M Agree with you.Matt has an enviable career due to his hard work.