Dakin Matthews

Dakin Matthews, born Melvin Richard Matthews on November 7, 1940 in Oakland, California, is a remarkably versatile figure in American entertainment and academia. Over a career that began in 1965 and continues to the present, he has distinguished himself as an actor, director, scholar, playwright, and theatre educator, earning recognition not only for his many memorable television roles—such as Herb Kelcher in My Two Dads, Hanlin Charleston in Gilmore Girls, and Reverend Sikes in Desperate Housewives—but also for his extensive work on stage, ranging from Shakespearean leads like King Lear and Falstaff to modern works such as The Audience on Broadway. Matthews’ early aspiration to become a Roman Catholic priest led him to study in San Francisco and at the Gregorian University in Rome, yet his passion for drama redirected him to the Juilliard School where he later taught notable talents such as Kevin Kline and Patti LuPone. He further honed his craft at the American Conservatory Theater, mentoring future stars like Annette Bening, and earned graduate credentials from New York University before becoming an Emeritus Professor of English at California State University, East Bay.

Beyond the screen, Matthews has contributed profoundly to theatre scholarship, publishing books and articles on Shakespeare and translating 17th‑century Spanish drama. He has served as artistic director for several companies, co‑founded the Antaeus Theatre Company, and acted as dramaturg for acclaimed Broadway revivals, earning a Drama Desk Special Award for his adaptation of Henry IV. His filmography exceeds twenty‑five feature films, including True Grit, Lincoln, and Bridge of Spies, while his television guest spots span classics like Murder She Wrote, Star Trek: Voyager, and The Big Bang Theory (where he portrayed Santa Claus). A dedicated family man, he married Anne Marie McNaughton in 1969 and together they have four children. His enduring presence in both performance and scholarship makes him a singularly influential artist of his generation.