Matthew F O'Connor, a native New Yorker, was born and raised in the Bronx, and later moved to the East End of Long Island, where he spent his formative years. Despite his early aspirations to become an actor, Matthew was initially held back by his fear of rejection, and instead focused on his academic pursuits, excelling in his studies while also honing his comedic skills as the class clown.
However, Matthew's passion for music soon took center stage, and at the age of 17, he began playing the bass guitar. This led to him forming a rock band with his friends, where he discovered a new sense of purpose and camaraderie. Although his music career was fulfilling, Matthew's desire to act never truly dissipated.
It wasn't until 2007, after a dare from his wife Barbara, that Matthew mustered the courage to audition for a local play. To his surprise, he landed the part, and this marked the beginning of his journey as an actor. Meeting other actors and directors who encouraged him to pursue his dreams further fueled his passion, and Matthew began to audition for various roles, eventually landing a spot in an acting class taught by none other than Alec Baldwin.
The class, which focused on monologue and scene study, proved to be a turning point in Matthew's career, as it helped him refine his skills and gain confidence in his abilities. This led to him landing a student film, followed by a regional commercial, and soon, he found himself working on various projects, including local theater performances, independent films, re-enactment shows, and television shows such as Royal Pains, Law & Order: SVU, and HBO's "You Don't Know Jack," starring Al Pacino.
Matthew's hard work and dedication eventually paid off when he became a member of the SAG/AFTRA Union in 2012, and he landed his first Union job on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. With a newfound sense of purpose and excitement, Matthew is now poised to embark on what he hopes will be a long and promising career in the entertainment industry.
