Matthew MacKendree Lanter (born April 1, 1983) is an American actor and model. He began his modeling career in 2004. The same year, he acted in the film Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius and the television series Point Pleasant. He went on to appear in numerous television series and films, including Commander in Chief and 90210. He later voiced Anakin Skywalker in the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, continuing to portray him in the identically named TV show and other media of the Star Wars franchise.

Matt Lanter
A photograph of Matt Lanter taken in 2022.
Lanter in 2022
Born
Matthew MacKendree Lanter

(1983-04-01) April 1, 1983 (age 41)
Alma materUniversity of Georgia
Occupations
  • Actor
  • model
Years active2004–present
Spouse
Angela Stacy
(m. 2013)
Children1

Early life

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Lanter was born on April 1, 1983, in Massillon, Ohio.[1] His father worked in insurance, and his mother was a school secretary. He has one older sister. When Lanter was eight, the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Lanter played baseball in his youth and was a batboy with the Atlanta Braves for two seasons.[2] He majored in business at the University of Georgia.[3]

Career

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In 2004, Lanter was a contestant on Bravo's reality show Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model. He did not win the competition.[4] In November of that year, Lanter appeared as a caddie in the biographical film Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius.[5] Between June and July 2005, Lanter appeared in three episodes of the Fox supernatural drama series Point Pleasant, playing the role of Nick. The show received low ratings and did not last a full season.[6][7] He has since appeared in television shows such as Grey's Anatomy and Big Love.[8] In April 2005, he signed on to become a series regular portraying the role of Horace Calloway on ABC's political drama series Commander in Chief.[2] The series premiered in September 2005, ran for one season and was cancelled in June 2006.[9]

In 2008, he took on the lead role as Zach Conroy in The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream, as a member of a figure skating pair.[10] Later that year,[11] Lanter starred in Disaster Movie as the character Will.[12] The film later appeared on Empire's 2010 poll The 50 Worst Movies Ever, in which it scored number 14.[13] Lanter appeared in the slasher film Sorority Row, which was released in September 2009. It received negative reviews from both critics and audiences.[14][15]

 
Lanter at the Star Wars Weekends in June 2009

In 2009, he began a major recurring role on The CW's 90210 portraying Liam Court.[8] In March 2010, he signed on for another parody project with Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, 20th Century Fox's Vampires Suck. He played Edward Sullen, a spoof of Edward Cullen from the Twilight saga. The film was released in August 2010.[16] In 2011, Lanter appeared in the psychological thriller The Roommate as Jason.[17] Although it received unfavorable reviews from critics, it was a moderate success at box office in North America; however, it was overshadowed by that year's Super Bowl.[18] In 2012, he worked on the films Liars All and A Chance of Rain.[19] He also voices Harry Osborn, Flash Thompson and Venom in the TV series Ultimate Spider-Man,[19] which premiered on April 1, 2012. He also voiced the role of Sled in Secret of the Wings,[20] which was released later that year.[21]

In March 2013, Lanter was cast as a co-star in The CW's science fiction drama series Star-Crossed (originally titled Oxygen).[22][23] Star-Crossed is about a romance between a human girl and an alien boy (Lanter) when he and six others of his kind are integrated into a suburban high school 10 years after they landed on Earth and were consigned to an internment camp.[24] From 2016 to 2018, Lanter began playing the role of Wyatt Logan in the NBC series Timeless.[25] In February 2019, it was announced that Lanter was cast as George Hutchence in the Netflix superhero series Jupiter's Legacy.[26]

Star Wars

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Lanter played Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker in the 2008 animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and later all seven seasons of the TV series of the same name. He has stated that his fellow cast members and the other people who worked on the show are "like family" to him.[27] He also portrayed the character in Star Wars Battlefront II and Star Wars Rebels.[28] He has said that Hayden Christensen, the actor who had previously had the role in Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, had a "very, very difficult job" demonstrating the character's arc from hero to villain, and considers himself fortunate that he had more time to show the transformation.[28]

Lanter had not known for whom he was auditioning when trying for the role. He was told he would be playing a character called "Deak Starkiller" who Dave Filoni, the director of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated film, suggested he portray as a mixture of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.[27] Lanter had minor roles in Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) as various alien scavengers and stormtroopers.[29] On December 13, 2019, he appeared in The Mandalorian episode "Chapter 6: The Prisoner", portraying Lant Davan, a New Republic soldier.[30] He returned to his role as the voice of Anakin Skywalker in the miniseries Tales of the Jedi, which became available on Disney+ on October 26, 2022.[31][32]

Personal life

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Lanter married his longtime girlfriend Angela Stacy on June 14, 2013. The two had been in a relationship since 2009.[33] They had a daughter together in 2017.[34] In March 2022, Lanter underwent emergency surgery for a closed-loop intestinal obstruction, which had given him "intense abdominal pain".[35] He is a Christian.[36]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2004 Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius Bobby Jones's caddy
2008 WarGames: The Dead Code Will Farmer
2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Anakin Skywalker (voice) [37]
2008 Disaster Movie Will Clayton
2009 Sorority Row Kyle Tyson
2010 Vampires Suck Edward Sullen
2011 The Roommate Jason Tanner
2012 Secret of the Wings Sled (voice) [37]
2013 Liars All Mike
2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Arthur Curry / Aquaman (voice) [37]
2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Additional voices
2016 USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage Brian "Bama" Smithwick
2017 Pitch Perfect 3 Chicago Walp
2018 The Death of Superman Arthur Curry / Aquaman (voice) [37]
2020 Justice League Dark: Apokolips War Arthur Curry / Aquaman (voice)
2020 Chasing the Rain Eric
2021 DC Showcase: Blue Beetle Ted Kord / Blue Beetle (voice) Short film[37]
2024 Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Ted Kord / Blue Beetle / Ultraman (voice) [38][37]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2004 Manhunt Himself Contestant
2005 8 Simple Rules Brendon Episode: "The After Party"
2005 Point Pleasant Nick 3 episodes
2005–2006 Commander in Chief Horace Calloway Main role
2006 Big Love Gibson Episode: "Eviction"
2006 Heroes Brody Mitchum Recurring role
2006 Shark Eddie Linden 3 episodes
2007 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Ryan Lansco Episode: "Fallen Idols"
2007 Monk Clay Bridges Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Birds and the Bees"
2007 Grey's Anatomy Adam Singer Episode: "The Heart of the Matter"
2007 Judy's Got a Gun Isaac Prentice Television film
2008 The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream Zack Conroy Television film
2008 Life Patrick Bridger Episode: "Everything... All the Time"
2008 The Oaks Mike Episode: "Pilot"
2008–2014, 2020 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Anakin Skywalker / Okalin / Ratter (voice) 95 episodes[37]
2009–2013 90210 Liam Court Main role
2012 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Baylor Hotner (voice) 3 episodes
2012 The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange Matt the Pear Episode: "Generic Holiday Special"
2012–2017 Ultimate Spider-Man Harry Osborn / Patrioteer, Flash Thompson / Agent Venom, Venom, Klaw, additional voices 46 episodes[37]
2014 Star-Crossed Roman Main role
2015 The Astronaut Wives Club Ed White 3 episodes
2015 CSI: Cyber Tristan Jenkins Episode: "Corrupted Memory"
2016 Star Wars Rebels Anakin Skywalker (voice) 2 episodes
2016–2018 Timeless Wyatt Logan Main role
2017–2018 Star Wars Forces of Destiny Anakin Skywalker (voice) 6 episodes
2019 Avengers Assemble Winter Soldier / Reporter #2 (voice) Episode: "Vibranium Curtain"[37]
2019 The Mandalorian Lant Davan Episode: "Chapter 6: The Prisoner"
2020 Lego Star Wars Holiday Special Anakin Skywalker / Rodian (voice) [37]
2021 Jupiter's Legacy George Hutchence Main role
2022 Lego Star Wars Summer Vacation Anakin Skywalker / Rodian (voice) [37]
2022 Tales of the Jedi Anakin Skywalker (voice) Episode: "Practice Makes Perfect"[37]
2023 S.W.A.T. Aaron Skinner Episode: "Blowback"
2024 Star Wars: The Bad Batch Olly / Stormtrooper #1 (voice) Episode: "Point of No Return"
2025 Gabriel and the Guardians Nok (voice)

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Lightsaber Duels Anakin Skywalker [37]
2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Jedi Alliance Anakin Skywalker
2009 Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes Anakin Skywalker [39]
2011 Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars Anakin Skywalker [37]
2011 Star Wars: The Old Republic Darth Sadic
2012 Kinect Star Wars Anakin Skywalker [37]
2014 Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes Venom [40]
2015 Disney Infinity 3.0 Anakin Skywalker / Venom [41]
2016 Lego Marvel's Avengers Ulysses Klaue
2017 Star Wars Battlefront II Anakin Skywalker [42]
2022 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Anakin Skywalker

References

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  1. ^ "Matt Lanter Biography". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Crook, John (January 15, 2006). "Matt Lanter". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  3. ^ Kane, Dan. "Dan Kane: Local native Matt Lanter stars in 'Vampires Suck'". The Repository. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  4. ^ Corneau, Allison (October 31, 2012). "5 Things You Don't Know About 90210's Matt Lanter". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  5. ^ "Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  6. ^ "Point Pleasant". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Wilkes, Neil (March 25, 2005). "Axe falls on 'Point Pleasant'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Matt Lanter Joins The Cast Of '90210'". WRC-TV. December 17, 2008. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  9. ^ Porter, Rick (May 16, 2006). "A Final 'Commander' Performance?". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  10. ^ "The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  11. ^ "Box Office Buzz". Dallas Morning News. August 29, 2008. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008.
  12. ^ "Disaster Movie". Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  13. ^ "The 50 Worst Movies Ever". Empire. February 4, 2010. Archived from the original on February 1, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  14. ^ "Sorority Row". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "Sorority Row". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  16. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (August 19, 2010). "New Girl Enters Stale Dating Pool". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  17. ^ "The Roommate". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  18. ^ "Roommate thriller tops US box office". BBC News. February 7, 2011. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Star of TV show 90210 Matt Lanter reveals all". heatworld.com. April 18, 2012. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  20. ^ "Matt Lanter talks Sled". The Fan Carpet. November 23, 2012. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  21. ^ "Secret of the Wings – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  22. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (March 5, 2013). "'90210's' Matt Lanter to Co-Star in CW's 'Oxygen'". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  23. ^ Nededog, Jethro (May 14, 2013). "Matt Lanter Says Goodbye to '90210,' Hello 'Star-Crossed'". Yahoo! TV. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  24. ^ Hinckley, David (February 13, 2014). "'Star-Crossed,' TV review". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  25. ^ Butler, Karen (September 11, 2018). "Matt Lanter calls 'Timeless' journey 'nuts,' says he'd do it all again". United Press International. Archived from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  26. ^ Petski, Denise; Nellie, Andreeva (February 11, 2019). "'Jupiter's Legacy': Josh Duhamel, Leslie Bibb, Ben Daniels & Matt Lanter Among 7 Cast In Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  27. ^ a b "From the Pages of Star Wars Insider: Matt Lanter, the Animated Anakin, Talks His Own Star Wars Saga". starwars.com. March 29, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "The Mandalorian Wraps and Matt Lanter Talks The Clone Wars". starwars.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  29. ^ "From "Blast That X-Wing!" to "Traitor!": The Voices of Star Wars: The Force Awakens". starwars.com. January 25, 2016. Archived from the original on July 22, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  30. ^ Romano, Nick (December 13, 2019). "Breaking down The Mandalorian episode 6 cameos, from a Clone Wars vet to Dave Filoni". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  31. ^ "'Tales of the Jedi' Trailer Breakdown: Flashback to Ahsoka and Dooku's Early Days". Collider. September 13, 2022. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  32. ^ Iervolino, Stephen. "'Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi' debuts Wednesday on Disney+". River Country 101.7. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  33. ^ "Matt Lanter Marries Angela Stacy!". usmagazine.com. June 15, 2013. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  34. ^ "Matt Lanter and Wife Angela Welcome Daughter MacKenlee Faire". People. January 5, 2018. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  35. ^ "Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Timeless Star Matt Lanter Undergoes Emergency Surgery With "Uphill Battle"". March 28, 2022. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  36. ^ Radloff, Jessica (May 12, 2014). "On a Date With Matt Lanter: Talking Marriage, Relationship Dos and Don'ts, and the Biggest Mistake Couples Make". Glamour. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Matt Lanter (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 21, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  38. ^ "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One: Exclusive Clip and Voice Cast Reveal". December 4, 2023.
  39. ^ Krome Studios (October 6, 2009). Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Republic Heroes. LucasArts. Scene: Closing credits, 2:30 in, Voice Talent.
  40. ^ Avalanche Software. Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes. Scene: Closing credits, 2:55 in, Featuring the Voice Talents of.
  41. ^ Avalanche Software. Disney Infinity 3.0. Scene: Closing credits, 5:29 in, Featuring the Voice Talents of.
  42. ^ Fiduccia, Christopher (October 18, 2018). "Star Wars: The Clone Wars Voice Actors Returning for Battlefront II Content". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on October 21, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
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