When Matthew turned 19, he moved to New York and played with a rock band. He was kicked off the band, and he ended up selling meat and seafood off the back of a truck in Long Island! He borrowed money from friends to take acting classes, and eventually moved to Los Angeles. After living off the good graces of some friends for a while, he made his acting debut in 1996, with a role in the TV pilot, "Shaughnessy."

How did this 29 year old, relative newcomer get cast in "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer," a high profile horror sequel? After all, this genre is best known for casting young TV stars on hiatus from their youth-oriented television shows on Fox and The WB Network. The producers of the film explain their decision:
 

Producer Neal H. Moritz: "There are very few actors that have star quality-that draw you in with something that separates them from the rest. Because I have been making so many movies with young adult actors, I've seen every kid out there. After a while, everyone starts melting together. But when we auditioned Matthew, he jumped right out at us like a young Tom Cruise."

Producer Stokely Chaffin: "Matthew has dynamic yet very mysterious traits. His charisma projects pure youth and vitality."

Since "Summer", Matthew has been at work on new projects. In February of 1999, he was in Rome, filming "U-571", a World War II movie co-starring Bill Paxton, Matthew McConnaughey, Jon Bon Jovi and Harvey Keitel. He has also completed work on two thrillers, "The In Crowd", co-starring Susan Ward and Lori Heuring; and "Rules of Attraction" (formerly "Stalk"), opposite Gretchen Mol, Samantha Mathis and Tom Everett Scott.

In June of 2000, he was in London, filming the HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers", produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

Matthew has five older siblings, two sisters and three brothers. As of this writing, he does not have a girlfriend... at least not officially!

You can send Matt fan mail at the following address:

Matthew Settle
11766 Wilshire Blvd 1610
Los Angeles, CA 90025
U.S.A.