Matt Frewer

Matt Frewer
Frewer at the 2013 FedCon
Born
Matthew George Frewer

(1958-01-04) January 4, 1958 (age 66)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Citizenship
Alma materBristol Old Vic Theatre School (1980)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1983–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1984)​
Children1

Matthew George Frewer (born January 4, 1958) is a Canadian-American actor and comedian.[1] He portrayed the 1980s icon Max Headroom[2] in the 1985 TV film and 1987 television series of the same names.

He became prominent when playing roles in films, like Russell Thompson, Sr. in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989), Jobe Smith in Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996), Sherlock Holmes in the film adaption of The Sign of Four, Frank in Dawn of the Dead (2004), Moloch in Watchmen (2009), Mitch in 50/50 (2011), and Archibald Stanley in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014).

His television credits include Dr. Mike Stratford in Doctor Doctor (1989–1991), Bob in Shaky Ground (1992–1993), Trashcan in "The Stand" (1994), Matt Prager in Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal (1997–1999), Dr. Jim Taggart in Eureka (2006–2012) and Doctor Leekie in the Canadian science fiction drama Orphan Black (2013–2017).

Frewer's more recent performances include a portrayal of "General #2" in the Steven Spielberg picture The BFG (2016), the character Carnage in the Netflix series Altered Carbon in 2018 and Logan in Fear the Walking Dead (2019). Also, he portrayed The Binder in three episodes of The Magicians and Peter Morton in eight episodes of The Order (2019−2020).

His voice roles include Panic in Hercules and its 1998 television series, Inspector 47 in The Magic School Bus, the Pink Panther in the 1993 television series of the same name, Lloyd Christmas in the Dumb and Dumber animated series, Jackal in Gargoyles and Dedgar Deadman in Toonsylvania.

Early life

Frewer was born in Washington, D.C. to Canadian parents, one of five children born to Gillian Anne (née German)[3] and Captain Frederick Charlesley Frewer, a Royal Canadian Navy officer.[4][5] He was raised in Peterborough, Ontario, where he graduated from Lakefield College School.[6] He went on to train at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School,[7] graduating from its three-year acting course in 1980.

Career

Frewer in 2007

Frewer portrayed the artificial intelligence character Max Headroom in the 1980s, starring in the 1985 eponymous science fiction television film; Frewer also played award-winning Network 23 journalist Edison Carter in the film. This led to a series on the UK Channel 4 network with the Max Headroom character as a video jockey and interviewer. This ran for two seasons, the second of which featured a studio audience with whom Max interacted. In 1987, an American series based upon the 1985 film aired, titled Max Headroom (1987–1988).[7] From 1993 to 1995, Frewer voiced the Pink Panther for the television series. Frewer guest-starred in the fifth-season Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "A Matter of Time". He also portrayed Max Headroom in other media, including a series of television commercials for "New Coke" and "Radio Rentals", as well as the single and music video for "Paranoimia" by Art of Noise. He reprised this role in the science fiction comedy film Pixels (2015).[8]

Frewer starred as Mike Stratford in Doctor Doctor (1989–1991).[8] He also appeared as Trashcan Man in the television miniseries The Stand.[8] Frewer has also appeared in such films as The Fourth Protocol (1987), Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989),[7][8] National Lampoon's Senior Trip (1995), and the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead.[8]

Frewer was nominated for two Gemini Awards in 2000, one for a guest appearance on Da Vinci's Inquest[9] and another for his work on the series Mentors. He was a regular on Eureka during the series' first two seasons, playing Jim Taggart.[8][10] He has done voice-over work on several animated projects, including Batman: The Animated Series (1993) and The Incredible Hulk (1996–1997). Frewer portrayed Matt Praeger in Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal from 1997 to 2000.[8]

In 2009, Frewer portrayed the retired villain Moloch the Mystic in Watchmen[8] and appeared as the White Knight in the December 2009 Syfy two-part miniseries Alice, based upon Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.[8][7] He starred as Pestilence in two episodes of Season 5 of Supernatural.[11] He has appeared in several adaptations of Stephen King stories, such as The Stand,[8] Quicksilver Highway, Riding the Bullet, Desperation and Bag of Bones.[12]

He played Dr. Aldous Leekie in the first two seasons of Orphan Black.[8][7]

In 2018, Frewer portrayed Carnage in the Netflix series Altered Carbon.[13] In the same year, Frewer was cast in the Netflix horror-drama series, The Order.[14]

Personal life

Frewer has been married to Amanda Hillwood since 1984 and the couple have a daughter.[15][16] In 1989, they bought a house in Marina del Rey, California.[17]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1983 The Lords of Discipline Senior
The Crimson Permanent Assurance Very Big Corporation of America Yuppie Short film
Segment: Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
1984 Supergirl Eddie the Truck Driver
1985 Spies Like Us Soldier #2
1987 The Fourth Protocol Tom McWhirter
Ishtar CIA Agent #3
1989 Speed Zone Alec Stewart
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Russell 'Russ' Thompson, Sr.
Far from Home Charlie Cox
1990 Short Time Ernie Dills
1991 The Taking of Beverly Hills Ed Kelvin
1993 Twenty Bucks Receding Bingo Winner
1995 Return to Two Moon Junction Cleo, Leo Uncredited
Driving Mr. Pink The Pink Panther Voice, short film
National Lampoon's Senior Trip Principal Todd Moss
BugHunt Edward Schulze Voice
1996 Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace Jobe Smith
1997 Hercules Panic Voice[18]
1998 Heartwood Frank Burris Voice, uncredited
1999 6ix Satan, Nathan, Lucy, Mother, Father Short film
Hercules: Zero to Hero Panic Voice, direct-to-video
2000 Cyberworld Frazzled Voice, short film
2004 Dawn of the Dead Frank
A Home at the End of the World Ned Glover
Going the Distance Farmer Joseph
Intern Academy (AKA Whitecoats) Dr. Anton Keller
Geraldine's Fortune Cameron Geary
Riding the Bullet Mr. Clarkson
2007 Weirdsville Jason Taylor
2009 Watchmen Moloch
Rampage Mr. Williamson
Darfur Ted Duncan
2010 Frankie and Alice Dr. Strassfield
2011 Wushu Warrior Lord Edward Lindsey
50/50 Mitch
Foreverland Mr. Steadman
2014 Rampage: Capital Punishment Mr. Williamson Voice, uncredited
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Archibald Stanley Cameo
2015 Pixels Max Headroom Voice
2016 The BFG General #2
2017 Residue Mr. Fairweather

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1984 The First Olympics: Athens 1896 Francis Lane Television miniseries
1985 Max Headroom: 20 Minutes Into The Future Max Headroom, Edison Carter Television film
1986 Robin of Sherwood Roger de Carnac Episode "The Betrayal"
1987 St. Elsewhere Pee-Wee, Walter Sandler Episode: "No Chemo, Sabe?"
1987–1988 Max Headroom Max Headroom, Edison Carter 14 episodes
1988 Miami Vice Cliff King Episodes: "Hostile Takeover" and "Redemption in Blood"
Sesame Street Max Headroom 2 episodes
1989–1991 Doctor Doctor Dr. Mike Stratford Lead role, 40 episodes
1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation Berlinghoff Rasmussen Episode: "A Matter of Time"
1992 Tiny Toon Adventures Mac Duff Voice, 2 episodes[18]
1992–1993 Shaky Ground Bob Moody 17 episodes
1992 Eerie, Indiana Howard Paymer Episode: "Tornado Days"
1993 Batman: The Animated Series Sid the Squid / Sidney Debris Voice, episode: "The Man Who Killed Batman"[18]
Bonkers Peter Blaine Voice, episode: "Trains, Toons, and Toon Trains"
1993–1996 The Pink Panther The Pink Panther Voice, main role[18]
1993 The Day My Parents Ran Away Bob Miller Television film
1994 In Search of Dr. Seuss The Cat in the Hat
American Playhouse Ambassador Edwin Reischauer Episode: "Long Shadows"
1994–1996 Gargoyles Jackal Voice, 7 episodes[18]
Itsy Bitsy Spider The Exterminator Voice, 26 episodes
1994 The Stand Trashcan Man Miniseries, 4 episodes
Aladdin Chaos Voice, episode: "When Chaos Comes Calling"
1995–1996 Dumb and Dumber Lloyd Christmas, various characters Voice, 13 episodes[18]
1996 Generation X Russel Tresh Television film
1996–1997 The Incredible Hulk The Leader [18] Voice, 10 episodes
1996 Iron Man Voice, episode: "Hulk Buster"
Bruno the Kid Bobby Vicious Voice, episode: "Searching for Bobby Vicious"
Quack Pack Additional voices Episode: "Tasty Paste"
Mighty Ducks Dr. Wally Pretorius Voice, episode: "The Human Factor"
The Outer Limits Norman Glass Episode: "First Anniversary"
Apollo 11 Gene Kranz Television film
The Magic School Bus Inspector 47 Voice, episode: "In the Rainforest"[18]
Late Night with Conan O'Brien Himself 1 Episode
1997 Quicksilver Highway Dr. Charles "Charlie" George Television film
Dead Man's Gun Norbert Datry Episode: "Fool's Gold - Pilot #2"
Tracey Takes On... Bob Episode: "Supernatural"
Desert's Edge Greg Television film
1997–1999 Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal Matt Praeger 49 episodes
1997 Dead Fire Max Durbin Television film
Breast Men Gerald Krzemien
1998 Toonsylvania Dedgar Deadman Voice, 14 episodes
1998–1999 Hercules Panic Voice, 24 episodes
1999 Mentors Frederick Banting Episode: "A Transient, Shining Trouble"
Mickey Mouse Works Toymaker Voice, episode: "#1.4"
2000 Da Vinci's Inquest Larry Williams 2 episodes
Jailbait Al Fisher Television film
The Hound of the Baskervilles Sherlock Holmes
2001–2002 House of Mouse Panic, Toymaker Voice, 6 episodes
2001 The Sign of Four Sherlock Holmes Television film
The Royal Scandal
2002 The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire
Taken Dr. Chet Wakeman 6 episodes
Television miniseries
2004 The Eleventh Hour Dr. Lansing Episode: "Wonderland"
2005 Masters of Horror Wally Episode: "Chocolate"
2006 Desperation Ralph Carver Television film
2006–2007 Intelligence Ted Altman 26 episodes
2006–2012 Eureka Dr. Jim Taggart 18 episodes
2009 Alice The White Knight Television miniseries
2010 Battle of the Bulbs Stu Jones Television film
How I Met Your Mother Carriage Driver Uncredited
Episode: "Of Course"
Supernatural Pestilence, Dr. Green 2 episodes
2011 Bag of Bones Sid Noonan Television miniseries
2012–2013 Falling Skies General Bressler 7 episodes
2012 Delete Arthur Bowden Television miniseries
2013–2017 Orphan Black Dr. Aldous Leekie 11 episodes
2013 Witches of East End Vidar Episodes: "Today I Am a Witch" and "A Few Good Talismen"
2014 The Knick Dr. J.M. Christiansen 5 episodes
2014–2015 The Librarians Dulaque, Lancelot
2015 Olympus Daedalus, Prometheus 12 episodes
2016 The Art of More Paul Rice 6 episodes
12 Monkeys Dr. Kirschner Episode: "Fatherland"
2016–2017 Timeless Anthony Bruhl 5 episodes
2016 Love in Paradise Dr. Frank Television film
2017–2018 Castlevania The Bishop Voice, 4 episodes
2018 Altered Carbon Carnage 3 episodes
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair Reverend Kellergan Miniseries, 10 episodes
2019 The Order Peter Morton 7 episodes
2019–2020 The Magicians The Binder 3 episodes
2019 Fear the Walking Dead Logan 6 episodes
2020 Perry Mason Judge Fred Wright 3 episodes

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Hercules Panic [18]
Disney's Animated Storybook: Hercules
1998 Disney's Hades Challenge
2012 Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

Radio

  • Tales from the Mausoleum Club: Episode 2, "Heart of Skegness"

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Film/TV Show Result Ref.
1987 CableACE Award Best Music Host The Max Headroom Show Won [19]
2000 Gemini Award Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series Mentors Won [20]
2000 Gemini Award Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series Da Vinci's Inquest Nominated [20]
2010 Leo Award Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Feature Length Drama Alice Nominated [21]
2011 Leo Award Best Guest Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series Supernatural episode: "Two Minutes To Midnight" Nominated [22]
2014 Leo Award Best Guest Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series Orphan Black episode: "Unconcious Selection" Nominated [23]
2019 Leo Award Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series The Order episode: "Finals: Part 1" Nominated [24]

References

  1. ^ Nemecek, Larry (2003). The Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion: Revised Edition. Simon and Schuster. pp. 186–. ISBN 978-0-7434-5798-9.
  2. ^ Lanigan, Richard L. (April 1992). The human science of communicology: a phenomenology of discourse in Foucault and Merleau-Ponty. Duquesne University Press. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-8207-0242-1. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  3. ^ Obituary: Gillian Frewer, ottawacitizen.remembering.ca. Accessed December 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Obituary: Frederick Frewer, ottawacitizen.remembering.ca. Accessed December 29, 2022.
  5. ^ "Matt Frewer Biography (1958–)". filmreference.com.
  6. ^ "Well Known Figures Who Are Boarding School Alumni of Lakefield College School | LCS Blog". Blog.lcs.on.ca. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Matt Frewer on Olympus, Max Headroom, Orphan Black, and working with giant ants". SyfyWire. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Matt Frewer on The Knick, Max Headroom, and his Australian accent on Eureka". avclub.com. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  9. ^ "DVD Review: Da Vinci's Inquest – Season Two". Blogcritics. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Matt Frewer Talks About His Return to Eureka". movieweb.com. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  11. ^ "Matt Frewer Cast as Pestilence on Supernatural / Season 5 Episode 15 Preview". Dread Central. 10 August 2012.
  12. ^ Stuever, Hank (2 December 2011). "'Bag of Bones': Must be recycling day". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  13. ^ "'Altered Carbon': 15 Shocking Moments From Netflix's Violent Sci-Fi Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  14. ^ Nellie Andreeva (April 16, 2018). "Netflix Picks Up 'The Order' Horror Drama Series Starring Jake Manley & Sarah Grey". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  15. ^ "Max heads for the Hills: Matt Frewer brings hearth, home and family to the Gatineau Hills -- and hints he just might be ready to resurrect Max Headroom" by Tony Atherton, The Hamilton Spectator (7 Feb, 1998) [Final Edition] Retrieved from ProQuest 269889992
  16. ^ "Horror to the Max; Creator of legendary mid-'80s cyber-character tackles the awful drama of Darfur" by Michael D Reid, The Times Colonist (4 Feb, 2010) Retrieved from ProQuest 348339432
  17. ^ "With Max Headroom Behind Him, Matt Frewer Mad-Libs Through Doctor, Doctor and a Smash Film – Vol. 32 No. 3". PEOPLE.com. 17 July 1989. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Matt Frewer (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 7, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  19. ^ "Tender Is the Night, Hitchhiker trump ACEs" The Globe and Mail (20 Jan, 1987) Retrieved from ProQuest 386174218
  20. ^ a b "Canceled series score numerous Gemini wins" at playbackonline.ca
  21. ^ Past Nominees & Winners 2010 at www.leoawards.com
  22. ^ Past Nominees & Winners 2011 at www.leoawards.com
  23. ^ Past Nominees & Winners 2014 at www.leoawards.com
  24. ^ "2019 Nominees & Winners by Name" at www.leoawards.com
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