Matt Smith
He brought a youthful, bow-tied eccentricity to Doctor Who, then transformed into a brooding Prince Philip and a dangerous Targaryen prince.
Born 1982 (age 44)·English actor·Birthday: October 28·Millennials
Biography
Matt Smith became an actor almost by accident, his first love being football until a back injury redirected his path. His breakthrough was seismic: at 26, he was cast as the Eleventh Doctor, making him the youngest actor to take the lead in Doctor Who. With his tweed jacket, fez, and ancient eyes in a young face, he defined the role for a new era, balancing childlike wonder with profound gravitas. He then deliberately sidestepped typecasting, delivering a critically praised, Emmy-nominated performance as a complex Prince Philip in The Crown's early seasons. Smith continues to seek challenging parts, most recently as the morally ambiguous Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon, proving his skill lies in portraying compelling, often unpredictable men.
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 1982, 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 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Matt's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
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
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
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
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the youngest actor to play the lead role in Doctor Who, defining the Eleventh Doctor for a global audience.
- Received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his portrayal of Prince Philip in the first two seasons of The Crown.
- Headlined the successful HBO fantasy series House of the Dragon as the pivotal character Daemon Targaryen.
Did You Know?
He was a talented youth footballer with offers to join academies for Leicester City and Nottingham Forest before a back injury ended his prospects.
He originally auditioned for a different role in The Crown before being cast as Prince Philip.
He directed a short film, Cargese, in 2010, featuring his Doctor Who co-star Arthur Darvill.
“I think the best acting is when you're not sure what's going to happen next.”
