| Intro | Television director, theatre director, actor |
| Is |
Actor Film director Television actor |
| From | United States of America |
| Type | Film, TV, Stage & Radio |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 8 August 1975, Ventura |
| Age: | 45 years |
Matt Shakman (born August 8, 1975) is an American film, television, and theatre director, and former child actor. He is most well known for his work on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Fargo.
Early life
Shakman was born and raised in Ventura, California. After finding success acting as a child, starting with commercials before landing a series regular role on Just the Ten of Us, he stepped away to attend The Thacher School in Ojai.
Shakman went on to attend Yale University where he graduated with an art history & theater double major. It was at Yale where Shakman became interested in theatre, going on to direct a number of stage productions. While at Yale, he also sang briefly with Out of the Blue, an a cappella singing group.
After university, Shakman lived in New York City for several years before permanently moving to Los Angeles.
Career
As a child actor, Shakman is best known for his role as Graham “J.R.” Lubbock, Jr. in the Growing Pains spin-off series Just the Ten of Us (1988–1990). His other television acting credits include The Facts of Life, Highway to Heaven, Diff’rent Strokes, Night Court, Good Morning, Miss Bliss and Webster. He also appeared in the films A Night at the Magic Castle (1988), and Meet the Hollowheads (1989).
Shakman is the founder and Artistic Director of the Black Dahlia Theatre (BDT) in Los Angeles, which was named one of “a dozen young American companies you need to know” by American Theatre Magazine.
Since 2002, Shakman has mostly been directing for television. Among his credits include Mad Men, Six Feet Under, New Girl, Brothers & Sisters, House M.D., Fargo, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (also executive producer).
Shakman will direct for the seventh season of Game of Thrones, to air in 2017 on HBO.
Directing credits
Films
- Cut Bank (2014)
Television
- The Good Guys
- Ugly Betty
- House M.D.
- Psych
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Brothers & Sisters
- The Nine
- The Riches
- What About Brian
- Everybody Hates Chris
- Men in Trees
- Everwood
- Inconceivable
- Kitchen Confidential
- Six Feet Under
- Boston Legal
- One Tree Hill
- Huff
- Mad Men
- Still Life
- Judging Amy
- Summerland
- Oliver Beene
- Once and Again
- Revenge
- You’re the Worst
- Fargo
- The Good Wife
- Game of Thrones, filming
Theatre
- Bad Jews at Geffen Playhouse (2015)
- Good People at Geffen Playhouse
- Secrets of the Trade at Primary Stages
- Den of Thieves (2002)
- The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (2007)
- Placement (by Blair Singer)
Awards and nominations
- 2012: L.A. Drama Critics Circle Milton Katselas Award for Career or Special Achievement in Direction
- 2012: LA Weekly Award (nomination)-Direction of a Musical
- 2011: L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award (nomination)-Direction
- 2009: Garland Award, Direction
- 2008: Ovation Award, Direction
- 2008: GLAAD Award, LA Production
- 2005: L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award for Direction
- 2004: Ovation Award (nomination)-Direction
- 2002: Garland Award for Direction
- 2002: L.A. Weekly Award (nomination)-Direction
- 1989: Young Artist Awards – Best Young Actor/Actress Ensemble in a Television Comedy, Drama Series or Special