Biography for
Matthew Broderick (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

Height

Mini Biography

A slight comic actor chiefly known for his boyish charm, Matthew Broderick was born on March 21, 1962, in New York City to actor James Broderick and Patricia Broderick. Matthew initially took up acting at New York's upper-crust Walden School after being sidelined from his athletic pursuits (football and soccer) by a knee injury. His father got him his stage debut at age 17 in a workshop production of the play "On Valentine's Day". Matthew's career then accelerated with parts in two Neil Simon projects: the play "Brighton Beach Memoirs" (1982-83) and the feature film Max Dugan Returns (1983). Broderick reprised the role of Eugene in "Biloxi Blues" (1988), the second installment of the Simon trilogy, for both the Broadway production and the film adaptation (Biloxi Blues (1988)). For the third and final installment of the trilogy, he was replaced by Jonathan Silverman. In 1983, the same year as Max Dugan Returns (1983), Broderick had his first big-screen success in the light comedy WarGames (1983). Since then he has had his fair share of hits and misses, with some of his better films including Project X (1987) also starring Helen Hunt, whom he subsequently dated; Addicted to Love (1997); and Inspector Gadget (1999). Other films he has appeared in which may be known but not so much respected include Out on a Limb (1992) with his Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) co-star Jeffrey Jones; The Night We Never Met (1993); The Road to Wellville (1994); and The Cable Guy (1996) with Jim Carrey, which got him an MTV "Best Fight" award nomination; and the MTV film Election (1999) with Reese Witherspoon. In 1985 he was involved in a controversial car crash while driving in Ireland with his then fiancé Jennifer Grey. The crash killed a woman and her daughter. Although Broderick was cleared of all charges, he paid a small fine to the family of the victims. He broke his leg in the accident, which happened just as Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), his biggest hit, was coming out in the US. The box office success (but critical flop) and special effects blockbuster Godzilla (1998) gave Broderick his first action role (should any "Godzilla" sequels be planned, he is under contract for two more). He has occasionally returned to the stage in New York, either in revivals of old musical warhorses such as "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" or in revivals of old "show people"plays, such as "Night Must Fall". In 1996 Broderick attempted to wear three hats as co-producer/director/actor in Infinity (1996), working very closely with his mother, who also wrote the screenplay. It was not a critical or commercial success, and he has not directed or produced since. Since May 1997 he has been married to actress Sarah Jessica Parker. He was previously engaged to both Helen Hunt and dated Lili Taylor. In 1999 he donned a trenchcoat for the children's film Inspector Gadget (1999), alongside Rupert Everett as the evil villain Claw. In March 2001 Broderick returned to Broadway in the musical smash "The Producers" (based on the 1968 Mel Brooks film of the same name). He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, which he lost to his co-star, Nathan Lane.

Spouse

Trivia

Son of actor James Broderick and Patricia Broderick.

Was involved in a deadly car crash on vacation in Ireland with former girlfriend Jennifer Grey in which he was hurt and two passengers in the other car were killed.

Dated 'Lili Taylor'. [1994]

Dated Penelope Ann Miller who he worked with while doing the play and film Biloxi Blues (1988). [1987]

Even after he got married, had dinner with his mother at her house every Sunday night, from 1981 until her death in 2003.

Denied a rumor, on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993), that he bought Cary Grant's bathtub, though he did sit in it. [15 May 2001]

Has two older sisters: Martha, a therapist and Janet, a minister.

Loves to play ping-pong with his childhood best friend, Kenneth Lonergan.

Was the first choice to play Alex P. Keaton on the sitcom "Family Ties" (1982), but he didn't want to be committed to a long television run. (The role went to Michael J. Fox instead).

His sister Janet, a minister, performed at his and Sarah Jessica Parker's wedding ceremony.

Son James Wilke Broderick born in Manhattan. [October 28, 2002]

For his return to "The Producers" in December 2003-April 2004, he is being paid $100,000 a week.

Made his feature film debut in Max Dugan Returns (1983), which was also the debut of Kiefer Sutherland.

He is Polish on his mother's side and Irish on his father's side.

Was dating Jennifer Grey during the filming of Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). She plays his sister in the movie.

Born on the same day as Rosie O'Donnell.

Has won two Tony Awards: in 1983, as Best Actor (Featured Role - Play) for "Brighton Beach Memoirs"; and, in 1995, as Best Actor (Musical) for a revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." He was also nominated as Best Actor (Musical) in 2001 for "The Producers," the new Mel Brooks musical.

Was introduced to wife Sarah Jessica Parker through her brother, Timothy Britten Parker.

He and his "The Producers" co-star, Nathan Lane, were awarded a joint star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 9, 2006.

Born on the same day as the current quarterback of the University of Nevada Wolf Pack Jeff Rowe.

He and his wife Sarah Jessica Parker had movies opening on the same day in the US: 16th December 2005. His movie was The Producers (2005), hers was The Family Stone (2005).

Studied with a famed 'Reiki master' in Brooklyn for many years. Reiki is a Japanese alternative healing technique in which a master channels the universe's 'Reiki' energy through touch, strengthening the patients own supply.

Sang "I Can Only Give You Love" for wife Sarah Jessica Parker at her 40th birthday.

Broke his collarbone in a horse-riding accident in County Donegal, Ireland, August 2006. He ended up in Sligo Hospital, but was released a few hours later. His wife was with him at the hospital.

Personal Quotes

In a 1988 Premiere magazine article, Matthew talked about his love scene with his Torch Song Trilogy (1988) costar, Brian Kerwin. He said, "It was fun being romantic, sexy with a man".

Before I knew it, I was like this guy in a hot play [Torch Song Trilogy]. And suddenly all these doors opened... It's just amazing. All these things have to line up that are out of your control.

	You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.
	With our Resume service you can add photos and build a complete resume to help you achieve the best possible presentation on the IMDb. Click here to add your resume and/or your photos to IMDb.

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z