Matt Letscher
A versatile character actor who brings grounded intensity to roles ranging from historical soldiers to time-traveling comic book villains.
Born 1970 (age 56)·American actor and playwright·Birthday: June 26·Generation X
Biography
Matt Letscher's career is a study in reliable, chameleonic presence. With a foundation in theater and a sharp, commanding look, he built a resume on making memorable impressions, often in period pieces or high-concept genre shows. He first caught attention as the villainous Captain Harrison Love in 'The Mask of Zorro,' holding his own against Antonio Banderas. This led to a string of authoritative roles, from a Union colonel in 'Gods and Generals' to a CIA annex security team member in '13 Hours.' For comic book fans, however, he became indelibly linked to the DC Universe, first playing the original Eobard Thawne, the Reverse-Flash, on 'The Flash.' He brought a chilling, cerebral menace to the speedster nemesis, a performance that expanded across the 'Arrowverse.' Beyond acting, Letscher is also an accomplished playwright, with his work produced in Los Angeles, demonstrating a creative depth that informs his nuanced on-screen performances.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Matt was born in 1970, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Matt Was Born
The biggest hits of 1970
#1 Movie
Love Story
Best Picture
Patton
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Matt's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1970Born
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1975Started school
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1983Became a teenager
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1986Could drive
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1988Could vote
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1991Turned 21
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
2000Turned 30
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 40
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 50
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 56 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the original live-action version of the villain Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash on The CW's 'The Flash' and 'Legends of Tomorrow.'
- Played significant roles in major historical films 'The Mask of Zorro' and 'Gods and Generals.'
- Co-starred in Michael Bay's military thriller '13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.'
- Had a recurring role as Mark Farrell, the father of the title character, on the NBC drama 'The Blacklist.'
Did You Know?
He is a published playwright; his play 'The Last Word...' was produced at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles.
He played twin brothers, both named Eddie, on the sitcom 'Good Luck Charlie.'
He is married to actress Jennifer Letscher, and they have four children.
He appeared in two episodes of 'Friends,' playing the boyfriend of Monica's friend Franny.
“The work is about finding the truth in the moment, not about being seen.”
