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Matthew Porretta
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Matthew Charles Porretta (born May 29, 1965) is an American television, voice, and film actor known for his appearances in Wings, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. He has also appeared on Broadway and in video games, where he is known for his voice role as the titular character in Alan Wake and its sequel Alan Wake 2, and as Dr. Casper Darling in Control.
Key Information
Life and career
[edit]Porretta was born in Darien, Connecticut, into a show-biz family: His father, Frank Porretta, was a famous tenor, opera singer and musical theater actor. His mother, Roberta Palmer Porretta, former Miss Ohio 1956, was a spinto soprano. She returned to school after raising their children and went on to an international opera career after graduating from the Juilliard School of Music.[1]
By the age of 25, Matthew Porretta was already a veteran of Broadway and a student at the Manhattan School of Music. In 1990 he broke into television with recurring roles on shows like Wings and Beverly Hills, 90210. His first major movie role came in 1993 when he portrayed Will Scarlet O'Hara in Mel Brooks' spoof Robin Hood: Men in Tights.[2] Four years later, Porretta starred as Robin Hood in the first two seasons of The New Adventures of Robin Hood.[3] Since 1997, he has been starring in independent movies, commercials and TV shows.
His debut role on stage was Marius Pontmercy during the national tour of Les Misérables, between 1989 and 1994. In 1994, he was part of the original Broadway cast of Stephen Sondheim's Passion.[4] Despite not performing in the movie, filmed shortly after the Broadway Production ended,[5] Porretta reprised his role as Count Ludovic for Passion - Original Broadway Cast Recording,[6] which won the Best Musical Theater Album at 37th Annual Grammy Awards.
Since 2010, Porretta has been doing the voice acting for the titular character of the psychological action thriller video game franchise Alan Wake by Remedy Entertainment. He returned in 2012 for Alan Wake's American Nightmare and in 2023 for Alan Wake II as well as for a DLC Chapter from Dead by Daylight, released in 2024. He also portrayed Dr. Casper Darling in Remedy's Control[7] and Marco Graziani in Starfield.
Personal life
[edit]Porretta has four siblings. The eldest, Frank Porretta III, is a successful opera singer. His other brother, Greg, has a diverse artistic background across multiple disciplines [8] and has guest-starred with Matthew on television. His sisters, Anna and Roberta, are also in the entertainment industry; Anna was a writer for Talk Soup.
Porretta has two sons with ex-wife Gleice; Luigi (born May 22, 2001) and Enzo (born April 13, 2008). The children were born while Porretta and Gleice were in a relationship. The couple eventually married in 2012 and divorced in 2014. Porretta is still living in Darien with his sons.
In December 2016, he was involved in a bar fight in which a customer hit the actor with a beer mug after Porretta, intoxicated after a couple of drinks, walked in the man's direction and stumbled towards him. The attack not only resulted in cuts to his left eye and cheek but also a facial fracture and injuries to his spine and nasal septum. Porretta needed emergency surgery to save his left eye, and still has vision issues as a result of the attack.[9][10] In March 2017, Porretta filed a lawsuit against the bar owner and alleged attacker. The lawsuit moved forward in June 2019, and in 2023 the man accepted an offer from state prosecutors and pleaded guilty to second-degree assault. Under the state's offer, he received a jail sentence of five years, suspended after serving between six and 18 months. He is expected to receive up to five years of probation.[11][12][13]
Filmography
[edit]Television
[edit]| Year | Project | Role | Episode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Dan Rubin | 10 episodes | |
| 1993 | Class of '96 | Claude | Episode: "Breaking up Is Hard to Overdue" | |
| 1993 | South Beach | Richard | Episode: "Wild Thing" | |
| 1996 | Wings | David Barnes | Episode: "Love at First Flight" | |
| 1996–1998 | The New Adventures of Robin Hood | Robin Hood | 23 episodes | |
| 2000 | Code Name: Eternity | Leethan | Episode: "Death Trap" | |
| 2004 | Without a Trace | Oscar | Episode: "Doppelgänger" | |
| 2005 | CSI: NY | Ron Bogda | Episode: "Hush" | |
| 2010 | Imagination Movers | Stanley Spillburger | Episode: "Seeing Stars" | |
| 2010 | Bright Falls | Alan Wake | Episode: "Clearcut" | |
| 2011 | Blue Bloods | Congressman Albom | Episode: "Lonely Hearts Club" | [14] |
| 2014 | Unforgettable | Bruce Miller | Episode: "The Island" | [15] |
| 2014 | The Good Wife | Ian Gatins | Episode: "Sticky Content" | [16] |
| 2015 | Deadbeat | Crosby / Matthew Biscotti | 5 episodes | |
| 2015-2016 | I Love You... But I Lied | David | 2 episodes | [17] |
| 2019 | The Blacklist | Schmock | Episode: "General Shiro" |
Film
[edit]| Year | Project | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Robin Hood: Men in Tights | Will Scarlet O'Hara | |
| 1995 | Dracula: Dead and Loving It | Handsome Lieutenant at Ball | |
| 1999 | Desperate But Not Serious | Gene | |
| 1999 | Kate's Addiction | Dylan Parker | |
| 1999 | Turkey. Cake. | Jimmy | |
| 2003 | Dream Warrior | Caleb | |
| 2016 | Wolves | Coach Williams | [18] |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Project | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Alan Wake | Alan Wake (voice) | |
| 2012 | Alan Wake's American Nightmare | Alan Wake, Mr. Scratch (voice) | |
| 2013 | Grand Theft Auto V | The local population | |
| 2013 | The Bureau: XCOM Declassified | Additional voices | |
| 2016 | Quantum Break | Alan Wake (voice) | |
| 2019 | Red Dead Online | The local pedestrian population | |
| 2019 | Control | Dr. Casper Darling (live acting and voice), Alan Wake (voice) | |
| 2023 | Starfield | Marco Graziani / Mooch (voice) | |
| Alan Wake II | Alan Wake, Scratch (voice), Dr. Casper Darling (live acting and voice) | ||
| 2024 | Dead by Daylight | Alan Wake | [19] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | NAVGTR Awards | Lead Performance in a Drama (Alan Wake) | Alan Wake's American Nightmare | Nominated | [20] |
| Supporting Performance in a Drama (Mr. Scratch) | Nominated | ||||
| 2019 | The Game Awards | Best Performance (Dr. Casper Darling) | Control | Nominated | [21] |
| 2023 | Golden Joystick Awards | Best Lead Performer (Alan Wake) | Alan Wake 2 | Nominated | [22] |
| 2024 | British Academy Games Awards | Performer in a Leading Role | Longlisted | [23] | |
| Arab Game Awards | Outstanding Performance (alongside Ilkka Villi) | Won | [24] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Roberta Palmer Porretta Tribute". August 2007.
- ^ Pereira, Chris (September 10, 2019). "The Actor Behind Control's Dr. Darling Has A Very Surprising Past Movie Role". Gamespot.
- ^ Knight, Stephen (2003). Robin Hood: A Mythic Biography. Cornell University Press. p. 173. ISBN 9780801438851.
- ^ Simon, John (May 23, 1994). "...Sondheim's Passion score is a glutinous mass—all the songs sound the same; this Grease-for-today is politically correct..." New York Magazine. Vol. 27, no. 21.
- ^ "Sondheim Guide / Passion". www.sondheimguide.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ Stephen Sondheim – Passion Label: Broadway Angel https://www.discogs.com/pt_BR/release/12671021-Stephen-Sondheim-Passion
- ^ Esteves, Ricardo C. (September 4, 2020). "Control: AWE". gamereactor.eu.
- ^ "About".
- ^ "Porretta v. Chez Ernie's Cafe". December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Trial date set for Darien actor's civil suit for bar fight". August 3, 2018.
- ^ Kayata, Erin (April 14, 2017). "Former '90210,' 'Robin Hood' actor sues after bar assault". The Darien Times. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ^ "Lawsuit Moves Forward from Assault in Darien Bar: Report". August 4, 2018.
- ^ "Norwalk man pleads guilty to assault on Darien-born Robin Hood Men in Tights actor in 2016". May 22, 2023.
- ^ "Matthew Porretta". RottenTomatoes.
- ^ "Matthew Porretta". RottenTomatoes.
- ^ "Matthew Porretta". RottenTomatoes.
- ^ "I Love You... But I Lied (2015)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Bowen, Chuck (March 4, 2017). "Review: Wolves". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Wilson, Mike (January 17, 2024). "New 'Dead by Daylight' Trailer Spotlights Upcoming 'Alan Wake' Chapter and Perks [Watch]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ "Journey wins Game of the Year". NAVGTR Awards. March 24, 2013. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (November 19, 2019). "The Game Awards 2019 Nominees: 'Death Stranding,' 'Control' Lead the Field (Full List)". Variety. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ Loveridge, Sam (November 10, 2023). "Here are all the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 winners". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ "The 60 Best Video Games of 2023". BAFTA. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Arab Game Awards - Winners 2023". Arab Game Awards. January 26, 2024.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
Matthew Porretta
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Family background
Matthew Porretta was born on May 29, 1965, in Darien, Connecticut.[1] He grew up in a prominent show business family that immersed him in the performing arts from an early age. His father, Frank Porretta II, was a trained opera singer and accomplished actor known for roles in musical theater and film.[13][14] Porretta's mother, Roberta Palmer, was also a trained singer with a background in vocal performance and held the title of Miss Ohio in 1956.[13] He has four siblings, including an older brother, Frank Porretta III, who became a successful opera singer; another brother, Greg Porretta, who co-starred with him in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993); and two sisters, Anna and Roberta.[13][15] The family's deep involvement in opera, theater, and music provided Porretta with significant early exposure to the performing arts, fostering his initial interest in acting and voice work.[16]Education and training
Porretta's interest in performing arts began in his youth, where he participated in school plays as an initial outlet for his talents.[17] Growing up in a family with a show business heritage, particularly influenced by his parents' careers as opera singers, he was drawn to pursue formal training in the field.[17] He attended the Manhattan School of Music, initially focusing on opera studies, where he developed a strong foundation in vocal performance and classical music.[17][2] During his time there, Porretta honed his singing abilities, reflecting his early passion for opera inherited from his family background.[17] Eventually, Porretta shifted his emphasis from opera to musical theater and acting, recognizing opportunities in broader performance mediums that aligned with his evolving interests.[17][2] This transition shaped his versatile approach to the performing arts, building on his operatic training while expanding into narrative-driven roles.[17]Career
Early career and breakthrough roles
Matthew Porretta began his professional acting career in theater during the late 1980s, drawing on his opera training at the Manhattan School of Music to perform in musical productions.[13] He performed as Marius on the 2nd and 3rd national tours of Les Misérables from 1988 to 1991, followed by a replacement role as Marius in the Broadway production from 1990 to 1991.[4][2] Porretta transitioned to television in 1990 with guest and recurring appearances on series such as Wings, marking his entry into on-screen work after his stage successes.[1] His breakthrough came the same year with the role of Dan Rubin, a manipulative graduate student and resident advisor, on Beverly Hills, 90210, where he appeared in 10 episodes across the first two seasons (1990–1991), earning recognition for portraying a complex antagonist in the teen drama.[18] In film, Porretta achieved his first major movie role in 1993 as Will Scarlett O'Hara in Mel Brooks' comedy spoof Robin Hood: Men in Tights, contributing to the film's ensemble of humorous takes on the classic legend.[19] He continued collaborating with Brooks in 1995, appearing as the Handsome Lieutenant at the Ball in Dracula: Dead and Loving It, a parody of Bram Stoker's vampire tale that further showcased his comedic timing in supporting parts.[20]Live-action film and television
Following his early breakthrough roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Matthew Porretta continued his live-action career with a recurring role as Simon Haldane in the NBC sitcom Wings in 1990 (3 episodes) and a guest role as David Barnes, the fiancé of Melissa Williams, in 1996 (1 episode).[13] These appearances contributed to the show's ensemble dynamic.[21] In 1997, Porretta took on a leading role as Robin Hood in the first two seasons of the syndicated adventure series The New Adventures of Robin Hood, portraying the iconic outlaw in a total of 26 episodes alongside co-stars like John Rhys-Davies and Anna Galvin.[22] The series, produced by Fred Weintraub, blended action and fantasy elements, with Porretta's performance noted for its energetic take on the character in a modernized retelling. He also occasionally appeared as the character Outlaw Jacobi in the show. From 1997 onward, Porretta shifted toward independent films, earning recognition for his lead role as Nick in the romantic comedy Nick and Jane, directed by Bruce Steinberg.[23] Other independent projects during this period included roles in films like The Last Champion (2020), where he played a supporting character, reflecting his continued involvement in character-driven narratives outside mainstream Hollywood.[1] Porretta made guest appearances in various television series throughout the 2010s, such as his role as Congressman Albom in the CBS procedural Blue Bloods in 2011.[24] In 2019, he appeared as J. Schmock in the NBC thriller The Blacklist episode "General Shiro," contributing to the show's ensemble of episodic antagonists.[25] These roles often featured him in authoritative or quirky supporting parts, aligning with the procedural and drama genres popular during that decade.[26] By the 2000s and 2010s, Porretta's live-action output trended toward smaller, guest-star roles in established series like Deadbeat (2014–2016), where he played Crosby and Matthew Biscotti across multiple episodes, amid a broader career pivot toward voice acting in video games and animation. This evolution allowed him to maintain an on-screen presence while exploring diverse performance mediums.[6]Voice acting in video games
Porretta's entry into voice acting for video games came in the late 2000s, building on his earlier live-action experience to provide a strong foundation in character performance. His initial roles were modest, including additional dialogue replacement work in projects like Shrek the Third (2007), marking his gradual shift toward interactive media.[27] A pivotal moment arrived with his casting as Jacob Taylor in the Mass Effect series, spanning Mass Effect 2 (2010) and Mass Effect 3 (2012), where he voiced the loyal former Alliance marine, contributing to the game's narrative depth through squad interactions and loyalty missions. Porretta's portrayal of the tormented writer Alan Wake in Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake (2010) established him as a key figure in psychological thriller gaming, delivering a nuanced performance that captured the character's descent into supernatural horror. He reprised the role in Alan Wake's American Nightmare (2012), voicing both Alan and his dark counterpart Mr. Scratch, enhancing the game's themes of identity and duality. The character's return in Alan Wake II (2023) showcased Porretta's vocal range in live-action sequences and dialogue, blending desperation with resolve amid a multiverse-spanning story. This iconic role extended to the DLC expansions Night Springs (2024) and The Lake House (2024), where he voiced Alan across alternate realities and investigations, further immersing players in the Remedy Connected Universe.[28] In Control (2019), Porretta voiced and provided motion capture for Dr. Casper Darling, the eccentric Federal Bureau of Control researcher whose holographic lectures drive much of the game's lore on the supernatural Oldest House. His performance, combining intellectual fervor with underlying menace, tied directly into the Alan Wake mythology through cameo appearances. Porretta has also lent his voice to select roles in major franchises. More recently, he reprised Alan Wake in crossover appearances, such as the 2023 Fortnite collaboration and the 2024 Dead by Daylight chapter, where he recorded original lines to integrate the writer into multiplayer horror scenarios.[29] He voiced Marco Graziani and Mooch in Starfield (2023) and is scheduled to perform at the 2025 New York Game Awards.[12] His training at the Manhattan School of Music, initially focused on opera singing, has significantly enhanced his vocal versatility, allowing seamless transitions between dramatic monologues, whispers of madness, and song-infused sequences in games like Alan Wake II.[17] In recent years, Porretta has expanded into motion capture, providing full performance capture for characters like Dr. Casper Darling in Control and Alan Wake II, enabling more immersive, synchronized portrayals that blend voice with physicality in interactive storytelling.[30]Personal life
Marriage and relationships
Matthew Porretta married Gleice Oliveira on March 13, 2008, in Darien, Connecticut.[31] The couple's marriage ended in divorce, with Porretta filing for dissolution on March 20, 2014, in Fairfield County Superior Court.[32] The case resulted in an uncontested judgment on April 3, 2014, under Judge Stanley Novack.[32] The proceedings included a separation agreement and stipulations, along with affidavits concerning children and certification of parenting education program completion, supporting post-divorce co-parenting.[32] No other romantic relationships for Porretta have been publicly documented.Children and family
Matthew Porretta has two sons from his relationship with ex-wife Gleice Oliveira: Luigi, born on May 22, 2001, and Enzo, born on April 13, 2008.[13] The couple married in 2008 and divorced in 2014.[31][32] Gleice Oliveira shares parenting responsibilities with Porretta following their divorce.[31] Porretta has occasionally spoken publicly about his family life in the context of his career, noting in a 2020 interview that his sons serve as his "translators" for video games, given his own limited gaming experience.[33] He maintains a preference for privacy regarding personal matters, focusing public discussions on his professional achievements rather than detailed family updates.[17]Filmography
Television
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1993–1994) as Dan Rubin (recurring role, 10 episodes)[34]
- Wings (1996) as David Barnes (guest role, 1 episode: "Love at First Flight")[35]
- The New Adventures of Robin Hood (1997–1998) as Robin Hood (main role, seasons 1–2, 26 episodes)
- Code Name: Eternity (2000) as Leethan (guest role, 1 episode: "Death Trap")
- Without a Trace (2004) as Oscar (guest role, 1 episode: "Doppelgänger")[36]
- CSI: NY (2005) as Ron Bogda (guest role, 1 episode: "Hush")
- Imagination Movers (2010) as Stanley Spillburger (guest role, 1 episode)[37]
- Bright Falls (2010) as Alan Wake (lead role, 6 episodes)
- Blue Bloods (2011) as Congressman Albom (guest role, 1 episode: "Lonely Hearts Club")[38]
- Unforgettable (2014) as Bruce Miller (guest role, 1 episode: "The Island")[39]
- The Good Wife (2014) as Ian Gatins (guest role, 1 episode: "Sticky Content")[38]
- Deadbeat (2014–2015) as Crosby / Matthew Biscotti (recurring role, 5 episodes)[37]
- I Love You... But I Lied (2015–2016) as David / Hal (guest role, 2 episodes)[40]
- The Blacklist (2019) as Schmock (guest role, 1 episode: "General Shiro")[41]
Film
Matthew Porretta began his film career with supporting roles in major comedies before transitioning to independent features.[1]- Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) as Will Scarlet O'Hara[42]
- Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) as Handsome Lieutenant at Ball[43]
- Kate's Addiction (1999) as Dylan Parker[44]
- Desperate But Not Serious (1999) as Gene
- Turkey. Cake. (1999) as Jimmy[45]
- Dream Warrior (2003) as Caleb[46]
- Wolves (2016) as Coach Williams[47]
Video games
Matthew Porretta's contributions to video games primarily involve voice acting, with select instances of motion capture and live-action performance, particularly within interconnected franchises developed by Remedy Entertainment. His breakthrough in interactive media came with the role of Alan Wake in the 2010 thriller game, establishing him as a staple voice in narrative-driven titles that emphasize psychological depth and horror elements.[48] Over the years, Porretta has voiced additional characters in major releases, often providing nuanced performances that enhance player immersion in expansive worlds.[49] Porretta's deepest involvement is with the Alan Wake series, where he has exclusively provided the voice for the protagonist Alan Wake across main entries, DLCs, remasters, and crossover appearances, while also voicing antagonists like Mr. Scratch and recurring figures like Dr. Casper Darling in the broader Remedy universe.[50] These roles frequently combine voice work with mocap to capture subtle emotional shifts, contributing to the franchise's reputation for blending live-action and gameplay.[51] Beyond Remedy titles, he has lent his voice to ensemble casts in open-world and sci-fi games, including minor but integral supporting roles.[49]| Year | Title | Role | Performance Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Alan Wake | Alan Wake | Voice |
| 2011 | Homefront | Additional Voices | Voice |
| 2012 | Alan Wake's American Nightmare | Alan Wake / Mr. Scratch | Voice |
| 2013 | The Bureau: XCOM Declassified | Additional Voices | Voice |
| 2013 | Grand Theft Auto V | The Local Population | Voice |
| 2016 | Quantum Break | Alan Wake | Voice |
| 2018 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Local Pedestrian Population | Voice |
| 2019 | Control | Dr. Casper Darling / Alan Wake | Voice and live acting |
| 2021 | Alan Wake Remastered | Alan Wake | Voice |
| 2023 | Alan Wake II | Alan Wake / Scratch / Dr. Casper Darling | Voice |
| 2023 | Starfield | Marco Graziani / Mooch | Voice |
| 2023 | Fortnite (Alan Wake collaboration) | Alan Wake | Voice |
| 2024 | Alan Wake II: Night Springs | The Writer / The Bad Boy / The Brother | Voice |
| 2024 | Alan Wake II: The Lake House | Alan Wake / Dr. Casper Darling | Voice |
| 2024 | Dead by Daylight (Alan Wake Chapter) | Alan Wake | Voice |