Matt Weinberg's journey in the entertainment industry began when a family friend suggested that he would make a good child actor. Initially, his parents were hesitant, but five months later, the friend decided to take matters into her own hands and introduced Matt to a kids' agent without their knowledge. The agent was impressed by Matt, and he eventually agreed to give acting a try. His parents, who initially said no, eventually consented, and Matt began his acting career.
Matt's first acting job was a lead role in the independent feature film Spooky House (2001),starring opposite Oscar winners Ben Kingsley and Mercedes Ruehl. Since then, he has been busy in both television and film. He landed one of the most sought-after kids roles of the 1999 pilot season when he was cast as Eli opposite Edward Asner in Imagine Television's Eli's Theory (1999).
Matt has also appeared in several notable television shows, including ER (1994),where he played a guest lead in an episode that aired in January 2002. He has also guest-starred in shows such as Touched by an Angel (1994),FreakyLinks (2000),and Chicken Soup for the Soul (1999). In addition, he has appeared in several feature films, including X-Men (2000),Dawg (2002),and Who's Your Daddy? (2002).
Matt has received several award nominations for his performances, including two nominations for the prestigious Young Artist Award for his roles in Friends (1994) and Trial by Media (2000). His performance in The Last Dance (2000) earned him a CAMIE Award (Character and Morality in Entertainment).
Matt is also the voice of Young Simba in the new Disney video, The Lion King 1½ (2004),and is one of four leads in Joe Dante's 4D film for Lookout Entertainment, R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse (2003). He has also appeared in numerous commercials, including those for McDonald's, Digimon, and Loanworks.
In his personal life, Matt is a student at a Los Angeles public school and is also the starting shortstop for his little league team, the Giants. He lives in Los Angeles with his mom, Dana; his dad, Larry, a public relations executive; his brother Mike, 9 (also an actor); and their three dogs.
