Matt Collins, the top male model of the 1970s, was born to a coal executive in Waverly, Pennsylvania, as one of five children. Growing up, he was a fiercely intelligent loner who only came out of his shell when around horses. At 14, Matt left high school to train horses in Virginia, a decision his father disapproved of, but one that paid off.
Matt's early success as a rider-trainer led him to tour the horse show circuit, earning $50,000 a year by his early twenties. In 1974, he met Harreus, a stubborn brown gelding horse, and they became a successful duo, touring the season together. However, Harreus was sold to the Japanese government for its Olympic team, and Matt's plans for a stable were dashed.
At the 1974 National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden, Matt's signature look was born. His tall, lean physique, sandy hair, dark eyes, strong cheekbones, and brooding demeanor caught the eye of Wilhelmina Cooper, owner of the prestigious modeling agency. Matt, unaware of the world of fashion, was signed on the spot and quickly became a top model, posing for various print ads and earning $1,000 a day.
Matt's success led to minor film appearances and performing his own stunts in commercials. He even posed for posters, including one for the same company that released the iconic Farrah Fawcett bathing suit poster. Despite not being fond of modeling, Matt found himself flooded with fan mail, receiving 30,000 letters in a month.
Matt's only major film role before becoming a model was a small part in The World's Greatest Lover, which launched many offers his way. He turned down soap opera roles, television series, and a seven-year contract with Universal, opting instead for more acting classes and signing with Allan Carr.
In 1978, Matt was approached to star in The Last Resort, a film adaptation of Porter Darwin's book Butterflies in Heat. The film, titled Tropic of Desire, was released in 1979 and starred Matt and Eartha Kitt. While it didn't fare well with critics, fans embraced it, and it has since become a cult hit.
During his modeling career, Matt wisely invested his money in East coast real estate and continued to focus on his love of riding and training horses. In the 1980s, he had minor television appearances, but eventually left the industry behind, leaving behind a legacy as the top male model of the 1970s.
