Matthew Raymond "Matt" Dillon (born February 18, 1964) is an American actor and film director. He began his acting career in the late 1970s and quickly rose to fame as a teenage idol in the 1980s. Dillon made his feature film debut in Over the Edge (1979) and gained recognition with roles in My Bodyguard (1980), Little Darlings (1980), and The Outsiders (1983).
As his career progressed, he took on more diverse roles, starring in critically acclaimed films such as Drugstore Cowboy (1989), Singles (1992), There's Something About Mary (1998), and Crash (2004), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Beyond acting, Dillon made his directorial debut with City of Ghosts (2002) and has continued to work in film and television, including starring in the series Wayward Pines (2015). His career spans decades, showcasing his versatility in both dramatic and comedic roles.
Known For

Being Maria
Marlon Brando
2024

Asteroid City
The Mechanic
2023

American Dreamer
Dell
2022

The Man Who Built Cambodia
Narrator (voice)
2017

Girl Most Likely
George
2012

Takers
Jack Welles
2010

Armored
Mike Cochrane
2009

Old Dogs
Yancy Devlin
2009

Nothing But the Truth
Patton Dubois
2008

Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten
Self
2007

...So Goes the Nation
Self
2006

Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos
Narrator (Voice)
2006

You, Me and Dupree
Carl
2006

Herbie Fully Loaded
Trip Murphy
2005

Crash
Officer John Ryan
2005

Factotum
Henry Chinaski
2005

Loverboy
Mark
2005

Employee of the Month
David Walsh
2004

Breakfast with Hunter
Self
2003

City of Ghosts
Jimmy
2002

One Night at McCool's
Randy
2001

Madonna: The Video Collection 93:99
Detective (segment "Bad Girl")
1999

There's Something About Mary
Pat Healy
1998

Wild Things
Sam Lombardo
1998

In & Out
Cameron Drake
1997

Pitch
Self
1997

Albino Alligator
Dova
1997

Grace of My Heart
Jay Phillips
1996

Beautiful Girls
Tommy "Birdman" Rowland
1996

Frankie Starlight
Terry Klout
1995

To Die For
Larry Maretto
1995

Golden Gate
Agent Kevin David Walker
1994

The Saint of Fort Washington
Matthew
1993

Mr. Wonderful
Gus
1993

Singles
Cliff Poncier
1992

A Kiss Before Dying
Jonathan Corliss
1991

Bloodhounds of Broadway
Regret
1989

Drugstore Cowboy
Bob
1989

Kansas
Doyle Kennedy
1988

Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
Mike (voice)
1987

The Big Town
J.C. Cullen
1987

Target
Chris Lloyd
1985

The Flamingo Kid
Jeffrey Willis
1984

Rumble Fish
Rusty James
1983

The Outsiders
Dallas Winston
1983

Tex
Tex McCormick
1982

Liar's Moon
Andrew Jackson "Jack" Duncan
1982

My Bodyguard
Melvin Moody
1980

Little Darlings
Randy
1980

Over the Edge
Richie
1979
An Ocean Apart
Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation
Self
2025

Haunted Heart
Max
2024

High Desert
Denny · (8 episodes)
2023

Land of Dreams
Alan
2022

Capone
Johnny
2020

Roy's World: Barry Gifford's Chicago
2020

Nimic
Father
2020

Proxima
Mike Shannon
2019

Head Full of Honey
Nick
2018

Running for Grace
Doc
2018

The House That Jack Built
Jack
2018

Going in Style
Arlen Hamer
2017

Uncle Howard
Self (archive footage)
2017

Quotidien
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2016

Rock Dog
Trey (voice)
2016

Wayward Pines
Ethan Burke · (10 episodes)
2015

Bad Country
Jesse Weiland
2014

Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (1 episode)
2014

Captivated: The Trials of Pamela Smart
Larry Maretto (archive footage)
2014

The Art of the Steal
Nicky Calhoun
2013

Pawn Shop Chronicles
Richard
2013

Sunlight Jr.
Richie
2013

Modern Family
Robbie Sullivan · (1 episode)
2009

The Story of ‘Fairytale of New York’
Self
2005

Staying Gold: A Look Back at 'The Outsiders'
Self
2005

Abby Singer
Matt Dillon (uncredited)
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (1 episode)
2003

Rockets Redglare!
Self
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self · (1 episode)
2003

Deuces Wild
Fritzy
2002

The Making of Drugstore Cowboy
1999

Teen Choice Awards
Self - Nominee · (1 episode)
1999

The View
Self · (1 episode)
1997
Leute heute
Self · (1 episode)
1997

The Daily Show
Self · (1 episode)
1996

Inside the Actors Studio
Self · (1 episode)
1994

Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest · (4 episodes)
1993

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
(2 episodes)
1992

Fishing with John
Self · (1 episode)
1991

Women & Men 2: In Love There Are No Rules
Eddie
1991

The Simpsons
Louie (voice) · (1 episode)
1989

Native Son
Jan
1986

Rebel
Rebel
1985

Night of 100 Stars II
Self
1985

The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters
Ralph
1982

Wild Rides
Himself
1982
The Fence
Horn

Domenica In
Self · (1 episode)
1976

Saturday Night Live
Self - Host · (1 episode)
1975

The Oscars
Self · (3 episodes)
1953