Matthew Shear

Acting

Born October 10, 1984, New York City, New York, USA

Matthew Louis Shear is an American actor known for his work in independent film and frequent collaborations with director Noah Baumbach. He began his career with a small role in Taking Woodstock (2009) and appeared in Mistress America (2015), The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (2017), and Marriage Story (2019), and played Lucius Isaacson on The Alienist (2018–2020). In 2025, he made his directorial debut with Fantasy Life, which he also wrote and starred in.

Filmography

• 2026Fantasy Life — Sam, Director, Screenplay, Executive Producer
• 2024Between the Temples — Nat
• 2021Old — Sidney
• Love Life — Ben
• 2019Cubby — Lars
• 2019Marriage Story — Terry - Theater Actor
• 2019Treasure Trouble — Jake
• The Alienist — Lucius Isaacson
• 2018The Boy Downstairs — Ben
• 2017The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) — Gabe
• Horace and Pete — Zach
• 2015Mistress America — Tony
• 2015The Statistical Analysis of Your Failing Relationship
• 2015While We're Young — Benny
• 2014Don Peyote — Zebra Shaman
• 2009Taking Woodstock — Earthlight Player
• Elijah — Louis