Matthew Modine is an American actor and filmmaker known for his iconic roles in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket and Netflix’s Stranger Things. Born on March 22, 1959, in Loma Linda, California, Modine has built a career spanning more than four decades, taking on emotionally complex characters and behind-the-camera work as a director, producer, and writer.
With a distinctive presence and a reputation for selective role choices, Modine remains active in the industry while also engaging in advocacy work, including UFO/NHI disclosure. This article provides a comprehensive overview of his biography, career highlights, personal life, estimated net worth, and current activities.
Who Is Matthew Modine? A Complete Biography
Matthew Avery Modine entered the world on March 22, 1959, in Loma Linda, California. He is the youngest of seven children born to Dolores, a bookkeeper, and Mark Alexander Modine. His ancestry includes English, Scottish, Irish, and German roots. Modine studied acting at Mar Vista High School and later at the University of California, Los Angeles, before launching his professional career in the early 1980s.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Age / Born | 66 years old (born March 22, 1959) |
| Known For | Full Metal Jacket, Stranger Things |
| Spouse | Caridad Rivera (m. 1980) |
| Net Worth (est.) | $5 million – $8 million (unverified) |
- Modine’s career spans over 40 years, pivoting from iconic 80s war films to modern streaming television via Stranger Things.
- He is actively engaged on social media, using his platforms for UFO/NHI advocacy and commentary on political and environmental issues.
- Despite his fame, his net worth appears modest relative to peers, possibly due to selective role choices.
- He has maintained a single marriage since 1980, an unusual stability in Hollywood, and has two children.
- Modine has worked as a director, producer, and writer on several independent projects.
- He won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor as part of the ensemble cast of Streamers (1983).
- His most recent roles include a voice part on The Simpsons (2025) and the film Protector (2025).
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Avery Modine |
| Date of Birth | March 22, 1959 |
| Birthplace | Loma Linda, California, USA |
| Height | 5′ 10″ (1.78 m) |
| Spouse | Caridad Rivera (m. 1980) |
| Children | 2 (Ruby Modine, Berman Modine) |
| Notable Role 1 | Pvt. Joker in Full Metal Jacket (1987) |
| Notable Role 2 | Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things |
| Awards | Volpi Cup for Best Actor (shared, 1983) |
| Social Media | Active on Instagram and X |
What Is Matthew Modine Known For? Iconic Roles and Career Highlights
What Was Matthew Modine’s Role in Full Metal Jacket?
Modine is most famous for playing Private Joker, the wisecracking Marine combat correspondent, in Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket. The role became a cult classic and defined a generation of war cinema. According to IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, it remains his most recognized performance.
What Is Matthew Modine’s Role in Stranger Things?
In the Netflix hit Stranger Things, Modine portrayed Dr. Martin Brenner, the enigmatic and morally ambiguous scientist behind the Hawkins National Laboratory. He appeared from 2016 to 2022 across multiple seasons, bringing a cold, calculating presence to the series. Wikipedia and the NYFA filmography page confirm this as one of his most widely seen later roles.
Complete List of Matthew Modine Movies and TV Shows
Beyond his signature parts, Modine has an extensive filmography. Notable credits include:
- Streamers (1983) – his breakout ensemble role
- Birdy (1984) – a psychological drama
- Vision Quest (1985) – sports drama
- Full Metal Jacket (1987) – Pvt. Joker
- Married to the Mob (1988)
- Gross Anatomy (1989)
- Memphis Belle (1990)
- Pacific Heights (1990)
- Short Cuts (1993) – ensemble drama directed by Robert Altman
- The Browning Version (1994)
- Any Given Sunday (1999) – Oliver Stone football drama
- Weeds (TV, recurring role as Sullivan Groff)
- Too Big to Fail (2010) – HBO financial crisis film
- The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – cameo as Nixon
- Oppenheimer (2023) – Vannevar Bush
- Stranger Things (2016–2022) – Dr. Martin Brenner
- The Simpsons (2025) – voice role
- Protector (2025) – Colonel Joseph Lavelle
- Godzilla x Kong: Supernova (post-production, listed as 2027)
This list draws from IMDb, Wikipedia, and Rotten Tomatoes.
What Awards Has Matthew Modine Won?
Modine received the Volpi Cup for Best Actor (shared with the cast) at the Venice Film Festival for Streamers (1983), as noted by Wikipedia. His IMDb page lists 87 award wins and 28 nominations across his career, though that figure aggregates many minor honors and should be treated as a database count rather than a definitive record.
Modine’s dual iconic roles — Pvt. Joker and Dr. Brenner — show a remarkable range: from a young, cynical soldier in a war epic to a cold, paternalistic scientist in a sci‑fi horror series. Both characters grapple with authority and moral ambiguity, a theme that runs through his best work.
Matthew Modine’s Personal Life: Wife, Children, and Net Worth
Who Is Matthew Modine’s Wife?
Modine married Caridad Rivera in 1980. Rivera is a former make-up artist and has been a steady presence throughout his career. The couple has remained together for over four decades, a rarity in the entertainment industry. The marriage is confirmed by Wikipedia and IMDb.
How Many Children Does Matthew Modine Have?
Modine and Rivera have two children: a daughter, Ruby Modine (born 1990), who is an actress known for roles in Shameless and Happy Death Day, and a son, Berman Modine. Both children are listed in Wikipedia and IMDb profiles.
What Is Matthew Modine’s Estimated Net Worth?
No authoritative source provides a confirmed net worth figure. A single Facebook post from a fan page claims an estimate of $10 million, but that is not reliable. Based on available data, figures from $5 million to $8 million are sometimes cited, but these remain unverified. The safest conclusion is that his financial status is not publicly documented through credible means.
Unlike many actors of his stature, Modine has not publicly disclosed his earnings. Estimates vary widely; treat any number as speculative unless tied to a trustworthy financial disclosure.
What Is Matthew Modine Doing Now? Current Projects and Social Media
Matthew Modine’s Latest Projects and Upcoming Roles
As of 2025, Modine remains active. He voiced a character on The Simpsons (2025) and starred as Colonel Joseph Lavelle in the film Protector (2025). A role in Godzilla x Kong: Supernova is listed in post-production on IMDb, with a potential 2027 release. The final season of Stranger Things is also expected, though specific details about his involvement are not public.
Matthew Modine’s Social Media Presence
Modine maintains an active presence on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). His posts often mix personal updates, advocacy for UFO/NHI disclosure, and commentary on political and environmental issues. He uses these platforms to engage directly with fans and promote causes he cares about.
While Modine’s accounts are official, his posts represent his personal opinions and are not verified biographical statements. Always cross‑reference factual claims from his social media with established sources.
Matthew Modine’s Career Timeline: Key Events from Birth to 2025
- 1959 – Born in Loma Linda, California.
- 1980 – Marries Caridad Rivera.
- 1983 – Wins Volpi Cup for Best Actor (shared) at Venice Film Festival for Streamers.
- 1987 – Stars as Pvt. Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket.
- 1990 – Stars in The Trial and Memphis Belle.
- 2016 – Begins role as Dr. Martin Brenner in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
- 2022 – Voices a role in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
- 2024 – Active in UFO/NHI disclosure advocacy on X.
- 2025 – Continues acting with Protector and a voice role on The Simpsons; final season of Stranger Things expected.
What Is Certain and Uncertain About Matthew Modine’s Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth and birthplace (verified by Wikipedia) | Exact net worth figure (estimates range from $5M to $15M) |
| Marriage to Caridad Rivera since 1980 (public records) | Specific details of upcoming roles under NDA or unannounced |
| Parents: Dolores (bookkeeper) and Mark Alexander Modine | Full impact of his UFO/NHI advocacy work |
| Two children: Ruby and Berman Modine | His exact current earnings or contract figures |
| Roles in Full Metal Jacket and Stranger Things | Whether he will return for the entire final season of Stranger Things |
| Height: 5’10” (multiple credible sources) | Detailed account of his behind-the-camera earnings |
Career Analysis: How Matthew Modine Navigated Hollywood
Modine’s career trajectory offers a study in selective longevity. After breaking out with auteur films by Robert Altman (Streamers) and Stanley Kubrick (Full Metal Jacket), he avoided being typecast by choosing diverse roles in dramas, thrillers, and comedies. Unlike some of his 1980s peers who pursued franchise blockbusters, Modine maintained a lower commercial profile but a steady stream of work, later finding a second wind in prestige television with Stranger Things.
His public persona balances a private family life with outspoken advocacy. He is one of the few Hollywood figures to consistently speak about UFO/NHI transparency, appearing in documentaries and on social media. This combination of quiet domestic stability and vocal activism makes him an outlier in an industry often marked by high-profile divorces and apolitical stances.
For a comparison with another 1980s actor who built a diverse filmography, see our guide to Anthony Perkins – Biography, Movies, Cause of Death & Legacy.
Where to Find Reliable Information on Matthew Modine
The most authoritative sources for Modine’s biography and filmography are Wikipedia (core verified facts), IMDb (complete credits), and Rotten Tomatoes (critical reception). For current updates and personal insights, his Instagram and X accounts are useful, though they are not verified biographical sources. The NYFA filmography page also provides a useful overview of his directorial and producing work.
“I’m an actor. I tell stories. That’s what I do.” — paraphrased from interviews
Matthew Modine
“The full metal jacket is the bullet. It’s not the uniform.” — on Stanley Kubrick’s film
Matthew Modine
What Is the Bottom Line on Matthew Modine’s Career and Life?
Matthew Modine remains a respected figure in film and television, known for two defining roles that bookend his career: a young soldier in a war classic and a mysterious scientist in a modern phenomenon. His longevity stems from thoughtful role selection, a stable personal life, and a willingness to engage with unconventional topics. While some details about his finances and future projects remain uncertain, his place in popular culture is secure.
If you enjoyed learning about Modine, explore our guide to Robert De Niro Movies – Complete Guide to His Best Films for another deep dive into a iconic actor’s career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew Modine
Is Matthew Modine related to any other actors?
He is the youngest of seven children; none of his siblings are known actors. His daughter Ruby Modine is an actress.
What is Matthew Modine’s most famous role?
He is most famous for playing Pvt. Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket (1987).
Does Matthew Modine have any upcoming movies?
As of 2025, he is active in the industry; the final season of Stranger Things is highly anticipated.
What is Matthew Modine’s ethnicity?
He is of English, Scottish, Irish, and German descent.
How did Matthew Modine start acting?
He studied acting at Mar Vista High School and later at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Jack Thomas Clarke Thompson is a staff writer for PopCultureDaily.co.uk, covering entertainment news, film, television, streaming and celebrity culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Harriet Winslow and Managing Editor Lucas Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.