Matthew Goode
A chameleonic English actor who brings a sharp, understated intelligence to roles ranging from aristocratic heartthrobs to cunning villains.
Born 1978 (age 48)·English actor·Birthday: April 3·Generation X
Biography
Matthew Goode, an Oxfordshire native and University of Birmingham drama graduate, sidestepped a predictable leading-man path to cultivate a fascinatingly eclectic career. His breakthrough in the romantic comedy 'Chasing Liberty' hinted at conventional charm, but he quickly pivoted to cerebral supporting roles in Woody Allen's 'Match Point' and the period drama 'Brideshead Revisited.' Goode possesses a unique ability to imbue characters with a sense of hidden depth, whether as the charmingly sinister Ozymandias in 'Watchmen' or the quietly supportive husband in 'The Imitation Game.' He moves seamlessly between big-budget fare like 'The King's Man' and acclaimed television series such as 'The Crown,' where his portrayal of Antony Armstrong-Jones showcased a blend of vulnerability and roguishness, solidifying his reputation as a performer of remarkable range and specificity.
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.
Matthew was born in 1978, 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 Matthew Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Matthew's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
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
1991Became a teenager
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
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received critical praise for his performance as Tony Armstrong-Jones in the third season of Netflix's 'The Crown'.
- Played the complex villain Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias in the 2009 film adaptation of 'Watchmen'.
- Starred as Charles Ryder in the 2008 film adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's 'Brideshead Revisited'.
- Appeared in Oscar-winning films including 'The Imitation Game' and 'The Theory of Everything' in supporting roles.
Did You Know?
He is an accomplished rugby player and played at a county level during his youth.
He turned down a role in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy early in his career.
He is a close friend of actor James Norton, whom he met at university.
He provided the voice for the character of Sam in the animated film 'A Christmas Carol' (2009).
“I'm just a jobbing actor who likes to work.”
