Matt Shively Bio
Matthew James Shively Jr. (born September 15, 1990) is an American actor known for a body of work across television and feature films. He rose to prominence on Nickelodeon as Ryan Laserbeam on True Jackson, VP and expanded into voice work, guest roles and feature films including Paranormal Activity 4 and Summer of 8.
Early Life and Background
Matthew James Shively Jr. was born in Hanford, California. He developed an interest in acting in the fourth grade after seeing Shia LaBeouf on the television program Even Stevens, which he has cited as an early inspiration for pursuing performance.
While growing up in California, Shively engaged with entertainment beyond acting; he formed a band called Connecting Channels with friend Sterling Knight, showing an early interest in collaborative creative projects. These formative experiences shaped his move toward professional auditions in his mid teens.
Path to Celebrity
Shively began pursuing professional acting in 2005 and appeared in small roles and guest parts before landing larger parts on youth-oriented television. He auditioned repeatedly for Nickelodeon and secured the role of Ryan Laserbeam on True Jackson, VP after callbacks, which became his breakout television role.
Following his success on True Jackson, VP, Shively broadened his resume with voice work and recurring parts on other Nickelodeon programs. In June 2011 he began appearing on Winx Club as the voice of Sky and joined the cast of The Troop in its second season as Kirby Bancroft-Cadworth III, expanding his visibility in family and teen entertainment.
Matt Shively Career
Early Career (2005–2011)
Shively’s professional career began with small film and television parts. He had a minor role in the 2007 film Rattle Basket and appeared in television episodes such as Zoey 101, building on a series of auditions and guest performances that led to more substantial opportunities.
Persistent auditioning paid off when he won the role of Ryan on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP after an initial rejection and a callback two weeks later. The True Jackson role gave him a steady platform and introduced him to a national youth audience, setting the stage for voice work and additional TV roles.
True Jackson, VP Breakthrough (2008–2011)
True Jackson, VP became Shively’s signature early role, casting him as Ryan Laserbeam and showcasing his comedic timing within an ensemble. The series received positive attention and established Shively as a recognizable presence on Nickelodeon, where his character’s interactions contributed to the show’s youth appeal.
During and after True Jackson, VP he expanded into voice work, lending his voice to the character Sky on Nickelodeon’s Winx Club and its related feature projects. His move into voice acting demonstrated versatility and kept him active across multiple formats during this period.
Film Work Breakthrough (2011–2017)
Shively transitioned into feature films beginning in 2011 with a growing slate of roles across genres. He landed one of the lead roles in the horror entry Paranormal Activity 4, released in October 2012, where reviewers described his performance as likable or delightful amid varied critical response to the film.
He co-starred in the comedy Noobz in early 2013, and in 2014 he appeared in the independent mockumentary Bucky and the Squirrels and played a leading friend role in Expelled. His work during this period balanced studio genre films with smaller independent projects, reflecting a willingness to explore different tones and character types.
In 2016 Shively garnered praise for his performance in the coming-of-age ensemble Summer of 8, and he reunited with former Nickelodeon colleagues for the 2017 short horror-comedy 8 Bodies. These roles reinforced his ability to handle both dramatic and comedic material on screen.
The Real O’Neals Era (2016)
Shively co-starred in the ABC series The Real O’Neals, which debuted in March 2016, portraying 17-year-old Jimmy O’Neal. The show marked a network television co-starring slot and introduced Shively to a broader, non-cable audience while giving him a recurring comedic role in a family sitcom ensemble.
The Real O’Neals extended Shively’s profile beyond Nickelodeon and into mainstream network television, pairing him with an ensemble cast in a series that looked at family dynamics and teen perspective, complementing his prior youth-focused work.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shively’s on-screen strengths include natural comedic timing, an affable presence and adaptability between voice work, television comedy and feature film roles. Reviewers have noted his likability in genre fare, and his early experience in ensemble casts supports reliable scene work and chemistry with co-stars.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Shively’s career include securing the role of Ryan Laserbeam after multiple auditions, voicing Sky in Winx Club productions, co-starring in Paranormal Activity 4 and joining the cast of ABC’s The Real O’Neals. Critical notices for performances in projects such as Summer of 8 provided recognition outside the youth-television sphere.
Matt Shively Career Wins
Across television and film, Shively has accumulated a series of notable credits that have defined his career: a breakout Nickelodeon role on True Jackson, VP, voice work on Winx Club, a recurring role on The Troop, a lead in Paranormal Activity 4 and varied work in independent films and network television.
Television Highlights
Shively’s television highlights center on his role as Ryan Laserbeam on True Jackson, VP, which brought him national recognition and steady work on a prominent cable network for young audiences. Subsequent television highlights include his voice role as Sky on Winx Club and his co-starring role on ABC’s The Real O’Neals, each reflecting different stages of his television career.
Film and Other Performances
On film, Shively’s most widely seen role came in Paranormal Activity 4, a studio horror release, while independent projects such as Bucky and the Squirrels, Expelled and Summer of 8 showcased his range in comedy and dramatic ensemble films. He has moved fluidly between studio and indie projects throughout his career.
Matt Shively Family
Family Background and Entertainment Roots
Shively was born and raised in Hanford, California. His early inspiration from established performers and participation in a local band with Sterling Knight reflect a grassroots entry into entertainment rather than a multi-generational industry background.
Personal Life
Shively has been publicly reported to be in a relationship with actress Ashley Newbrough. Beyond that, public details about his family and private life remain limited in available sources.