Matthew Modine is an American actor and filmmaker who has built a career spanning more than four decades. He is best known for playing Private Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket and Dr. Martin Brenner in the Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things. His work ranges from independent dramas to big-budget blockbusters, and he remains active on stage and screen as of 2025. For readers interested in similar profiles, you may also want to read about Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Life, Career and Net Worth in 2025.
Modine first gained international recognition in the early 1980s with roles in Robert Altman’s Streamers and John Sayles’ Baby It’s You. Over the years, he has worked with directors including Stanley Kubrick, Christopher Nolan, Oliver Stone, and Robert Altman, establishing himself as a versatile character actor. His performance in Stranger Things introduced him to a younger generation of viewers and led to renewed interest in his earlier filmography.
Beyond acting, Modine has directed feature films and short films, and he has been active in environmental and social causes. He continues to take on new projects, including stage work in London’s West End, and maintains a presence on social media.
Who Is Matthew Modine? Biography, Age, and Early Life
Matthew Avery Modine
March 22, 1959 (age 65–66 as of 2025)
Loma Linda, California, USA
Actor, Filmmaker
Private Joker in Full Metal Jacket, Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things
- Matthew Modine rose to fame playing Private Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket.
- He gained a new generation of fans portraying Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things.
- His filmography spans more than 40 years and includes Oppenheimer, The Dark Knight Rises, and Birdy.
- He has been married to Carin C. Alter since 1980, and they have two children.
- In 2024, he performed as Atticus Finch in the West End production of To Kill a Mockingbird.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Avery Modine |
| Date of Birth | March 22, 1959 |
| Birthplace | Loma Linda, California, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Spouse | Carin C. Alter (married 1980) |
| Children | 2 (Ruby Modine, Boman Modine) |
| Profession | Actor, Filmmaker |
| Years Active | 1983–present |
| Notable Awards | Volpi Cup for Best Actor (Venice Film Festival, 1988), Screen Actors Guild Award (2017) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $4 million – $6 million |
Matthew Avery Modine was born on March 22, 1959, in Loma Linda, California, according to his Wikipedia entry. He is the youngest of seven children. His mother, Dolores Warner, worked as a bookkeeper, and his father, Mark Alexander Modine, managed a drive-in theater. When Modine was 18, he moved to New York to study acting under Stella Adler at the Actors Studio. While training, he worked as a chef to support himself.
His first film role came in 1983 in John Sayles’ Baby It’s You. That same year, he played a lead role in Robert Altman’s Streamers, a performance that earned him the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival as part of the ensemble cast. The recognition helped him secure more prominent roles throughout the 1980s.
Matthew Modine Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography
Full Metal Jacket and Early Film Success
Modine’s most iconic role remains Private Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket (1987). The film, which follows U.S. Marine recruits through training and into combat during the Vietnam War, became a cultural touchstone. Modine’s performance as the sardonic combat correspondent cemented his place in film history. Earlier, he had starred in Birdy (1984) and Vision Quest (1985), both of which showcased his range as a dramatic lead.
Television Breakthrough with Stranger Things
Beginning in 2016, Modine played Dr. Martin Brenner, the scientist heading the Hawkins National Laboratory, in the Netflix series Stranger Things. The show became a global phenomenon, and the ensemble cast won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2017. Modine’s character was central to the series’ mystery and returned across multiple seasons through the show’s conclusion in 2025. His IMDB profile lists this as one of his most recognized television credits.
Modine also portrayed Dr. Don Francis in the HBO film And the Band Played On (1993), a role that earned him Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. He appeared in Weeds and has guest-starred on numerous other series over the years.
Recent Film Work and Oppenheimer
In 2023, Modine appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, playing Vannevar Bush, the American engineer and science administrator. The film was a critical and commercial success, adding another high-profile collaboration to his resume. He had previously worked with Nolan in The Dark Knight Rises (2012), where he played Dr. Jonathan Crane, also known as the Scarecrow.
Other notable films in his career include Married to the Mob (1988), Memphis Belle (1990), Pacific Heights (1990), Short Cuts (1993), Cutthroat Island (1995), and Any Given Sunday (1999). He made his feature directorial debut with If… Dog… Rabbit… (1999) and directed short films including When I Was a Boy (1993) and I Think I Thought (2008), which was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Matthew Modine’s Personal Life: Wife, Family, and Height
Marriage and Children
Matthew Modine has been married to Carin C. Alter since 1980, according to his profile on All American Speakers. The couple has two children: a daughter, Ruby Modine, who is also an actress, and a son, Boman Modine. The family has largely stayed out of the public spotlight, though Ruby has appeared alongside her father at events and in interviews.
Physical Attributes
Modine stands at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters), which made him notably tall for a leading man in the 1980s. His height, combined with his angular features, contributed to his distinctive on-screen presence in both dramatic and action roles.
Matthew Modine and Carin C. Alter have been married for more than 40 years. Their daughter Ruby Modine is known for her role in the television series Shameless. Boman Modine has largely remained private.
Matthew Modine Net Worth and Career Earnings
Estimates of Matthew Modine’s net worth vary widely across different sources. Most publicly available estimates place his net worth in a range between $4 million and $6 million as of 2025. These figures are not independently verified, and Modine himself has not publicly discussed his finances in detail.
His income has come from a combination of film salaries, television work, directing projects, and stage performances. The long-running success of Stranger Things likely provided a substantial boost to his earnings, particularly as the show gained global popularity. His role in Oppenheimer, one of the highest-grossing films of 2023, may also have contributed to his financial standing.
Net worth estimates for actors are often speculative. The $4 million–$6 million range cited by several entertainment websites should be treated as an approximation. No official financial documents or statements from Modine or his representatives confirm any specific number.
What Is the Career Timeline of Matthew Modine?
- 1959: Born in Loma Linda, California.
- 1983: Film debut in Baby It’s You; stars in Streamers and wins Volpi Cup at Venice Film Festival.
- 1984: Leads the drama Birdy directed by Alan Parker.
- 1987: Plays Private Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket.
- 1990: Stars in Memphis Belle and Pacific Heights.
- 1993: Portrays Dr. Don Francis in And the Band Played On, earning Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.
- 2012: Appears as Dr. Jonathan Crane in The Dark Knight Rises.
- 2016: Begins role as Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things.
- 2023: Plays Vannevar Bush in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
- 2024: Performs as Atticus Finch in the West End production of To Kill a Mockingbird.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Matthew Modine?
| Established Information | Information That Is Uncertain or Estimated |
|---|---|
| Born on March 22, 1959, confirmed by biography sources including Wikipedia and news outlets citing IMDb data | Exact net worth figures vary by source; most estimates fall between $4M and $6M but are not verified |
| Married Carin C. Alter in 1980, reported by multiple sources | Future projects beyond 2025 have not been officially announced |
| Played Pvt. Joker in Full Metal Jacket and Dr. Brenner in Stranger Things, both widely documented | |
| Height of 6 ft 3 in is listed on multisource biographies | |
| Two children are public records |
What Is Matthew Modine’s Impact on Film and Television?
Matthew Modine’s career demonstrates a notable ability to move between different eras and formats of entertainment. He emerged in the 1980s with a series of critically regarded independent and war films, then transitioned to prestige television in the 2010s. His role in Stranger Things revitalized his public profile and introduced his work to audiences who were not yet born when Full Metal Jacket was released.
He has consistently worked with acclaimed directors, including Stanley Kubrick, Robert Altman, Oliver Stone, and Christopher Nolan. This pattern suggests a reputation for professionalism and adaptability that has kept him employed across shifting industry trends. His recent stage work in the West End also indicates a willingness to return to live performance, a move that many actors use to deepen their craft.
Modine has also directed several short films and one feature, and he has been open about his interest in storytelling beyond acting. While his directing work has not achieved the same level of recognition as his acting, it adds another dimension to his creative identity.
Where to Find Reliable Information About Matthew Modine?
Several authoritative sources provide verified information about Modine’s life and career. Wikipedia offers a biographical overview with citations. IMDB maintains a comprehensive filmography and career timeline. His professional representation is through Independent Talent Group, which lists his current credits and availability.
For his personal updates and public commentary, Modine is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where he has more than 800,000 followers. BroadwayWorld also tracks his stage performances and theater-related news.
Matthew Modine is an actor whose career has spanned a remarkable range of genres and directors, from Stanley Kubrick to Christopher Nolan, and from independent cinema to global television phenomena.
– Summary from Wikipedia biography
What Is the Bottom Line on Matthew Modine’s Career?
Matthew Modine has sustained a versatile career across film, television, and stage for more than 40 years. He is best known for two defining roles — Private Joker in Full Metal Jacket and Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things — but his filmography includes many other noteworthy performances. He continues to work as of 2025, with recent appearances in Oppenheimer and the West End stage. For readers interested in similar actor profiles, you may also want to read about Zach Braff – Biography, Movies, Net Worth and Relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew Modine
How many siblings does Matthew Modine have?
He is the youngest of seven children.
What is Matthew Modine’s height?
He is 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall.
Did Matthew Modine serve in the military?
No, he did not. He played a Marine in Full Metal Jacket but has no military service background.
Is Matthew Modine on Instagram?
Yes, his handle is @matthewmodine, where he has over 800,000 followers.
What award did Matthew Modine win?
He won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival in 1988 for his role in The Trial.
How old is Matthew Modine?
He was born on March 22, 1959, making him 65–66 years old as of 2025.
What is Matthew Modine’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing Private Joker in Full Metal Jacket and Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things.
Did Matthew Modine appear in Oppenheimer?
Yes, he played Vannevar Bush in Christopher Nolan’s 2023 film Oppenheimer.
How many children does Matthew Modine have?
He has two children: Ruby Modine and Boman Modine.
What is Matthew Modine doing now?
As of 2025, he continues to act and has recently performed in the West End production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Future projects beyond 2025 have not been officially announced.
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Jonathan Crawford is Editor-in-Chief at BritView.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards and publication decisions.