Matthew Lillard on Fatherhood and Fame: Actor Sees Himself as ‘Dad’ First, Hollywood Figure Second
Matthew Lillard, the 55-year-old actor widely recognized for his roles in Scream, Scooby-Doo, and other iconic projects, recently offered an intimate look into his life as a father, revealing that despite his fame, his three children primarily see him as their parent rather than a Hollywood celebrity. Speaking exclusively ahead of the release of his upcoming film, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Lillard discussed the intersection of family life, acting, and personal priorities, shedding light on how he balances a demanding career with raising children who are increasingly independent and forging their own paths.
Lillard shared that his children—Addison, 23, Macey “Ace,” 21, and Liam, 17—don’t dwell on his Hollywood achievements. “They associate me with the person that makes them take the trash out, pays for their college, and is there to sort of help guide their creative life,” Lillard explained. “My kids are—and I would assume this is true for most quote-unquote celebrities—uninterested in that job. I mean, it’s a great job, but at the end of the day, it’s a job. You’d have to ask them, but I would venture to say that they don’t really consider me in any way, shape, or form as an actor. They consider me as their father, and that’s all you really would ever want.”
Lillard’s youngest, Liam, has explicitly stated that he wants “nothing to do with” acting, while Addison recently graduated from the University of Southern California’s Roski School of Art and Design in 2025. Macey, known as Ace, is pursuing an acting degree at Carnegie Mellon University. Reflecting on his children potentially following in his footsteps, Lillard emphasized that they have grown up witnessing both the successes and setbacks inherent in an entertainment career. “The good thing for me is that my kids have seen ebbs and flows. They know the reality of the business. I never pushed anyone into it, but I certainly wouldn’t deny the passion of my kids who are both artists,” he said.
Lillard also offered insight into his long-term marriage with Heather Lillard, a realtor, highlighting the stability it has brought amid a demanding career. The couple met in 2000, and Lillard has previously described their connection as an instant and profound bond. “I will tell you how much I believe in love at first sight. I met my wife at a golf tournament. She said she was going to Italy for a wedding with a bunch of friends. In 10 minutes, I saw her, and I decided to go to Italy with her. At the end of the trip, I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is the woman I’m going to marry,’” Lillard recounted. He further described their relationship as a harmonious balance, saying, “I’m very carefree; I will jump off a cliff a million times. My wife has the ability to balance that with a sense of diligence, and she’s very prudent. We’ve been married 24 years in a crazy business, and we never had a difficult time.”
Beyond his work in film, Lillard is also engaging in philanthropic and public health initiatives. He has partnered with Exact Sciences to promote awareness of Cologuard, a noninvasive at-home screening test for colon cancer. “Colorectal cancer is the number two killer of people in the world. So if I can lift the message and sort of change people’s perception of being tested, then it’s a win,” he said.
In addition to Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Lillard is involved in the upcoming Scream 7, demonstrating that while fatherhood remains his central identity, he continues to maintain an active presence in Hollywood. Despite his professional accomplishments, Lillard’s reflections make it clear that he views being a parent as his most meaningful role. “They consider me as their father, and that’s all you really would ever want,” he said, emphasizing that for him, family identity outweighs fame or professional accolades.
Matthew Lillard’s story underscores the delicate balance many celebrities navigate—maintaining high-profile careers while ensuring that family remains the core focus of their lives. For Lillard, fatherhood and guidance of his children’s creative and personal development are responsibilities he takes seriously, illustrating that even amid Hollywood lights, the home remains his most important stage.
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