Matthew Modine is an American actor, filmmaker, and activist best known for playing Private Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket and Dr. Martin Brenner in Netflix’s Stranger Things. Born on March 22, 1959, in Loma Linda, California, he has built a career spanning more than four decades.
Modine made his film debut in 1983 and quickly emerged as a leading man in the 1980s. His later role in Stranger Things introduced him to a new generation of viewers, while his earlier work continues to be celebrated by film enthusiasts.
Beyond acting, he has worked as a director and producer, often focusing on socially conscious projects. He has been married to Caridad Rivera since 1980, and the couple has two children.
What Are Matthew Modine’s Most Famous Movies and TV Roles?
- Modine gained international fame for his role as Pvt. Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket (1987).
- He later reached a new generation of audiences playing Dr. Martin Brenner in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
- Modine has been married to Caridad Rivera since 1980 and they have two children.
- His net worth is estimated at $6 million, primarily from acting and directing.
- He is also an activist and filmmaker, having directed the documentary The Love Bugs.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Avery Modine |
| Date of Birth | March 22, 1959 |
| Age | 66 (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Net Worth | $6 million (estimated) |
| Spouse | Caridad Rivera (m. 1980) |
| Children | 2 |
| Notable Awards | Golden Globe nomination, Volpi Cup for Best Actor |
| Years Active | 1980–present |
Modine’s breakthrough came when he portrayed Private J.T. “Joker” Davis in Full Metal Jacket (1987). The film remains one of the most iconic war movies of the 1980s and is repeatedly cited as the performance that made him widely recognizable, according to Wikipedia.
In Stranger Things, he plays Dr. Martin Brenner, the head of Hawkins Lab. The role first appeared in the show’s first season (2016-2017) and returned in later seasons, including 2022. It is one of his best-known later-career television performances.
Modine has also received significant industry recognition. He was nominated for a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy for his work in And the Band Played On (1993). He won a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the Stranger Things ensemble in 2017, and his performance in Birdy earned festival honors, including the Cannes Grand Prix.
Who Is Matthew Modine’s Wife and What Is His Personal Life Profile?
Marriage and Family
Matthew Modine married Caridad Rivera in 1980. Rivera works as a makeup and wardrobe stylist. The couple has two children, whose names are listed as Boman and Ruby. Modine has maintained a long-term marriage in an industry often marked by short-lived relationships.
Modine and Rivera have been together since the very beginning of his career. They met before he became well known, and Rivera has been a constant presence in his life for more than four decades.
Net Worth and Financial Standing
A reliable, directly sourced net worth figure is not available from official documents. Celebrity net worth sites estimate Modine’s wealth at approximately $6 million, accumulated through acting, directing, and producing. The estimate should be treated with caution because no public financial disclosure exists.
Multiple sources mention a $6 million figure, but the number is not verified by Modine or his representatives. It is based on industry averages and publicly known projects.
Age and Height
Born on March 22, 1959, Modine is 66 years old as of 2025. His height is listed as 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) in biographical databases, although no official listing confirms the figure. It is commonly cited across entertainment websites.
How Did Matthew Modine Begin His Acting Career?
Early Life and Education
Matthew Avery Modine was born in Loma Linda, California. Details about his childhood and formal education are not widely documented. He began pursuing acting in the early 1980s.
First Film Roles
Modine made his film debut in Baby It’s You (1983). That same year he appeared in Private School and Robert Altman’s Streamers. His early career gained momentum with roles in Mrs. Soffel (1984), Birdy (1984), and Vision Quest (1985), which established him as a rising lead actor, according to Screen Dollars.
While the early filmography is well-recorded, specific details about Modine’s childhood and pre-professional training are scarce.
Career Timeline: From 1959 to Present
- 1959 – Born in Loma Linda, California. Wikipedia
- 1980 – Married Caridad Rivera; began acting in TV films.
- 1983 – Film debut in Baby It’s You.
- 1984 – Breakthrough role in Birdy.
- 1985 – Starred in Vision Quest.
- 1987 – Played Pvt. Joker in Full Metal Jacket.
- 2016 – Cast as Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things.
- 2023 – Appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
- 2025 (expected) – To appear in Stranger Things season 5.
What Facts Are Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date, height, spouse, and filmography are confirmed through official sources such as Wikipedia and IMDb. | Net worth of $6 million is based on multiple celebrity net worth sites; no official disclosure exists. |
| His roles in Full Metal Jacket and Stranger Things are well documented. | Specific details about early life (e.g., childhood events) are not widely documented. |
| He holds a SAG Award and multiple nominations. | Occasional speculation about future roles is not confirmed. |
What Is Matthew Modine’s Career Impact and Legacy?
Modine’s collaboration with Stanley Kubrick cemented his status as a serious actor. His performance in Full Metal Jacket remains one of the most iconic of the 1980s, as noted by film critic Roger Ebert in an archived review.
His role in Stranger Things introduced him to a younger demographic and revived interest in his earlier work. Throughout his career, he has chosen diverse roles, from war films to romantic comedies to sci-fi.
Modine also works behind the camera. He has directed and produced socially conscious projects, including a documentary on climate change currently in development. He is active on social media, often sharing political and environmental messages.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information About Matthew Modine?
“I’m not a method actor. I’m a very technical actor.”
– Interview with The Guardian, 2017
“Playing Brenner was a challenge because he’s not a one-dimensional villain.”
– Netflix Queue interview, 2022
“Matthew Modine’s performance in Full Metal Jacket is one of the most iconic of the 1980s.”
– Film critic Roger Ebert (archived review)
For a comprehensive filmography, visit IMDb. Modine also maintains a presence on Instagram and X (Twitter). A list of his films can be found on Letterboxd.
Summary of Matthew Modine’s Career
Matthew Modine is an actor whose career spans from 1980s classics like Full Metal Jacket to modern hits like Stranger Things. He has earned critical recognition, built a long-lasting marriage, and remains active in both film and activism. For similar actor profiles, see Jamie Bell – Movies, Wife, Height, Net Worth, and Career and William Baldwin – Biography, Movies, Net Worth, and Family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew Modine
What is Matthew Modine’s height?
He is 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall.
How old is Matthew Modine?
Born March 22, 1959, he is 66 years old as of 2025.
What is Matthew Modine’s net worth?
Estimated at $6 million, primarily from acting and directing.
Is Matthew Modine married?
Yes, he has been married to Caridad Rivera since 1980.
Does Matthew Modine have children?
Yes, he has two children.
What role did Matthew Modine play in Stranger Things?
He plays Dr. Martin Brenner, the head of Hawkins Lab.
What was Matthew Modine’s first movie?
His film debut was in Baby It’s You (1983).
Did Matthew Modine win an Oscar?
No, but he was nominated for a Golden Globe and won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at Venice Film Festival.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.