Matt Bennett
He evolved from a beloved Nickelodeon sidekick into a cult-favorite character actor and a DJ spinning nostalgic anthems for a generation that grew up with him.
Born 1991 (age 35)·American actor and DJ·Birthday: November 13·Millennials
Biography
Matt Bennett will forever be Robbie Shapiro to a certain generation, the deadpan, bass-playing best friend on Nickelodeon's 'Victorious' whose unrequited crush was a running joke. But that defining role was merely the launchpad for a curious and eclectic career path. He deftly avoided the teen star trap, choosing oddball indie films like 'The Virginity Hit' and poignant dramas like 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' over predictable Hollywood fare. His adult acting work revealed a knack for playing off-kilter, often quietly intense characters in projects such as 'The Stanford Prison Experiment.' In a full-circle twist, Bennett then leveraged the very nostalgia of his Nickelodeon roots into a second act as a DJ, spinning 90s and 2000s pop anthems at clubs and conventions. This pivot wasn't a retreat, but a reinvention, allowing him to engage directly with the audience that first loved him, soundtracking their memories while continuing to pursue his offbeat acting passions.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Matt was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Matt Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Matt's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played the series regular role of Robbie Shapiro across all four seasons of the hit Nickelodeon show 'Victorious'.
- Appeared in the critically acclaimed independent film 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl', which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2015.
- Built a successful second career as a touring DJ, performing sets focused on Disney and Nickelodeon music at major venues and conventions.
Did You Know?
He is a self-taught musician and provided his own vocals and instrumentation for his songs on 'Victorious'.
Bennett is openly gay and has spoken about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation.
He is an avid fan of horror movies and has appeared in several horror-themed projects.
“I play the bass, I make beats, and I don't take myself too seriously.”
