Matthew Lillard: Actor, Stu in Scream and the Voice of Shaggy
Matthew Lillard is an American actor, director and producer. He is best known as Stu Macher in Scream (1996), as Shaggy Rogers in Scooby-Doo (2002) and as William Afton in Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023). In 2026 he returned as Stu in Scream 7 and appeared in the series Carrie, Cross and Daredevil: Born Again.
Matthew Lillard is still widely searched because of two roles that run decades apart. One is Stu, the giggling killer of Scream. The other is Shaggy, a role he took on in live action and then kept as the character’s official animated voice.
Matthew Lillard at a glance
| Full name | Matthew Lyn Lillard |
|---|---|
| Born | January 24, 1970, Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
| Age | 56 (as of November 2026) |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Known for | Scream (1996), Scooby-Doo (2002), The Descendants (2011), Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) |
| Profiles | Wikipedia · IMDb |
Matthew Lillard’s early years: SK8-TV to Scream (1990–1996)
Matthew Lillard grew up in Tustin, California, and got his start on screen as co-host of the Nickelodeon skateboarding show SK8-TV. His next job was as an extra in Ghoulies 3: Ghoulies Go to College (1991).
He soon moved into feature films. He appeared in John Waters’ black comedy Serial Mom (1994) and in the cult hacker thriller Hackers (1995) alongside Jonny Lee Miller. His breakthrough came as Stu Macher in Wes Craven’s Scream (1996), which brought him to a mainstream audience.
Matthew Lillard as a comedy lead and Shaggy (1998–2010)
Matthew Lillard spent the late 1990s and 2000s playing lively, comic leads. His credits from that time include SLC Punk! (1998), She’s All That (1999), Thirteen Ghosts (2001) and Without a Paddle (2004).
He played Norville “Shaggy” Rogers in Scooby-Doo (2002) and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004). When Casey Kasem retired from the role in 2009, Lillard became the official animated voice of Shaggy. He has voiced the character in many later projects, including Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! (2023).
Matthew Lillard’s dramatic turn and horror comeback (2011–present)
From 2011, Matthew Lillard took on more dramatic work. He appeared in The Descendants (2011), Trouble with the Curve (2012), Match (2014) and Twin Peaks: The Return (2017). He made his directing debut with Fat Kid Rules the World (2012).
On television, he played Daniel Frye in The Bridge (2013) and FBI undercover agent Luke Goshen in Bosch (2016). From 2018 to 2021 he starred as Dean Boland in NBC’s Good Girls.
His role as William Afton in Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) brought a new wave of attention, and he played the role again in the 2025 sequel. He also played Gus in The Life of Chuck (2025).
His 2026 work includes Scream 7, Daredevil: Born Again (as Mr. Charles), Cross (as Lance Durand) and Mike Flanagan’s Carrie (as Principal Grayle). As of November 2026, the film Behemoth! is set for release on December 4, 2026, and Man of Tomorrow is listed as an upcoming film.
Selected Matthew Lillard movies and TV shows
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Carrie | Principal Grayle | TV series |
| 2026 | Scream 7 | Stu Macher | Film |
| 2026 | Daredevil: Born Again | Mr. Charles | TV series |
| 2026 | Cross | Lance Durand | TV series |
| 2025 | Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 | William Afton | Film |
| 2025 | The Life of Chuck | Gus | Film |
| 2023 | Five Nights at Freddy’s | Steve Raglan / William Afton | Film |
| 2018–2021 | Good Girls | Dean Boland | TV series |
| 2017 | Twin Peaks: The Return | — | TV series |
| 2016 | Bosch | Luke Goshen | TV series |
| 2013 | The Bridge | Daniel Frye | TV series |
| 2011 | The Descendants | — | Film |
| 2002 | Scooby-Doo | Shaggy Rogers | Film |
| 1996 | Scream | Stu Macher | Film |
| 1995 | Hackers | — | Film |
FAQ
– How old is Matthew Lillard?
Matthew Lillard was born on January 24, 1970, so he is 56 (as of November 2026).
– Where was Matthew Lillard born?
Matthew Lillard was born in Lansing, Michigan. He grew up in Tustin, California.
– Does Matthew Lillard voice Shaggy?
Yes. Matthew Lillard played Shaggy in Scooby-Doo (2002) and its 2004 sequel. He became the character’s official animated voice after Casey Kasem retired from the role in 2009.
– Is Matthew Lillard in Scream 7 and Daredevil: Born Again?
Yes. Matthew Lillard returned as Stu Macher in Scream 7 (2026) and plays Mr. Charles in Daredevil: Born Again (2026).
Header photo: Super Festivals / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0, resized
