Pursuing your passion early in life equips you with a wealth of experience that not only builds an impressive résumé but also garners immense respect, even at a young age. Matt Lauria is a prime example of this, having established himself as a notable actor in television and film from a young age.
But with his recent ventures into production, what more does Lauria have in store for his flourishing career? Read this piece to learn more about this star’s next move.
Matt Lauria biography
Matthew Lauria, commonly known as Matt Lauria, is an American actor and musician, recognised for his versatile talents and striking presence on screen. He was born on August 15, 1982, in Washington, D.C., USA. Lauria is an American but his early life took an international turn when he moved to Ireland with his family at the age of seven. His father, an animator and artist, played a significant role in shaping his creative outlook. Lauria grew up in Dublin, surrounded by the rich culture and history of Ireland, which greatly influenced his formative years.
Lauria spent much of his childhood absorbing the vibrant Irish culture before returning to the United States for his secondary education. He attended high school in the U.S., where he began to refine his interests in the arts. Later, Lauria pursued formal training in acting and subsequently obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in drama from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
He stands at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 metres) tall, maintaining a healthy physique that complements his on-screen roles.
Matt Lauria career
Lauria’s career in acting began shortly after he moved to New York City, a hub for aspiring actors. Within weeks of his arrival, he landed his first television role, appearing as Winthrop on the popular NBC sitcom, 30 Rock in, 2007.
His next significant role came when he was cast as Roy Merritt in the NBC romantic sitcom, Lipstick Jungle. Although the show had a short run, Lauria’s performance caught the attention of the audience and industry professionals.
Lauria’s breakthrough came with his role as Luke Cafferty in the critically acclaimed NBC/DirecTV drama, Friday Night Lights. He portrayed a young football player from East Dillon High School, grappling with the pressures of the sport and personal challenges. His performance deeply resonated with society’s reality, and it earned him widespread recognition. To fully immerse himself in the role, Lauria moved to Pflugerville, Texas, where the series was filmed. He remained on the show until it concluded in 2011, leaving a lasting impact on fans and critics alike.
After Friday Night Lights, Lauria transitioned to more mature roles. He moved to Chicago for his role as Caleb Evers, a young detective in the Fox crime drama, The Chicago Code.
In 2012, Lauria took on the recurring role of Ryan York in the NBC family drama Parenthood, reuniting with former Friday Night Lights showrunner, Jason Katims. Playing a veteran of the Afghanistan war, Lauria brought depth and sensitivity to the character, addressing themes of trauma, recovery and the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life. His performance was praised for its emotional honesty and realism.
Lauria continued to build his career with a starring role as Ryan Wheeler in the Audience Network’s drama – Kingdom – from 2014 to 2017. The series centred around the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) and saw Lauria portraying a troubled fighter struggling with personal demons and the physical demands of the sport. His commitment to the role included extensive physical training to convincingly depict an MMA fighter.
In 2019, he featured in the action thriller Miss Bala, and in Shaft. His television career continued to thrive with roles in series such as Tell Me A Story (2019–2020) and Little Birds (2020).
However, one of his most significant roles in recent years came in 2021 when he joined the cast of CSI: Vegas as Josh Folsom, a central character in the crime thriller series. His involvement in this show brought him back into the spotlight, allowing him to reach a new generation of viewers.
Matt Lauria movies
Below is a select list of the movies and TV series that Lauria has starred in thus far:
- Out to Run: A Tale of Blood Velvet (2024) – The Man In Black
- CSI: Vegas (2021–2024) – Josh Folsom (41 episodes)
- Outer Range (2022–2024) – Trevor Tillerson (4 episodes)
- Jane Goodall in Voices of Hope ~ Words of Wisdom by Dr. Jane Goodall (2024) – Narrator (voice)
- 80 for Brady (2023) – James
- To Leslie (2022) – Handsome Outlaw
- Calls (2021) – Officer Nevil (voice) (2 episodes)
- Little Birds (2020) – Bill (5 episodes)
- Tell Me a Story (2019–2020) – Jackson Pruitt (10 episodes)
- Dickinson (2019) – Ben Newton (5 episodes)
- Shaft (2019) – Major Gary Cutworth
- Traitors (2019) – Peter McCormick (2 episodes)
- Into the Dark (2019) – John Deakins (1 episode)
- Miss Bala (2019) – Brian Reich
- Kingdom (2014–2017) – Ryan Wheeler (40 episodes)
- Dimension 404 (2017) – Evan (1 episode)
- Ma (2015) – Cowboy
- Parenthood (2012–2015) – Ryan York (25 episodes)
- It Could Be Worse (2014) – Nelson (1 episode)
- Gilded Lilys (2013) – Charlie Carnegie (TV Movie)
- Person of Interest (2012) – Adam Saunders (1 episode)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2011–2012) – Agent Matthew Pratt (3 episodes)
- Burn Notice (2011) – Ethan (1 episode)
- The Chicago Code (2011) – Caleb Evers (13 episodes)
- Friday Night Lights (2009–2011) – Luke Cafferty (26 episodes)
- The Forgotten (2010) – John Doe (1 episode)
- 8 Easy Steps (2009) – VeggieLite (Short)
- Lipstick Jungle (2008–2009) – Roy Merritt (13 episodes)
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2008) – Jake Lally (1 episode)
- 30 Rock (2007) – Winthrop (1 episode)
- Raccoon (2005) – Sam Roxbury (Short)
Matt Lauria’s net worth
Lauria’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million. This wealth has been accumulated through his successful career as an actor.
Matt Lauria family
Lauria was born into a small family unit. His mother, Tricia Lauria, is an artist, and his father is a businessman. The family moved to Dublin, Ireland, during Lauria’s childhood, which gave him a unique blend of American and Irish cultural experiences.
The actor has two sisters.
Lauria is married to Michelle Armstrong, a musician known for her work as a singer-songwriter. The couple has been together for several years.
Matt Lauria age
Lauria was born on August 16, 1982. He is 44 years old as of 2026.
Matt Lauria now
Matt Lauria is currently broadening his career by stepping into the realm of production. He is involved in an upcoming drama film titled: Drowning, where he has taken on the role of co-producer.
The film, which is in post-production, centres on Cece, a single mother struggling with poverty and the looming threat of eviction while caring for her sick son. The story also delves into the life of Cece’s brother, Dante, who has just been released from prison and finds himself facing challenges that mirror those of his sister.
Lauria’s contribution as a co-producer marks a significant expansion of his talents beyond acting, showcasing his growing interest in the production side of the film industry.
ALSO READ: Cody Fern: Stylish Actor Loved For His Edgy Fashion Style, Impressive Acting
