Matt Shively

Matthew James Shively Jr., known professionally as Matt Shively, is an American actor born on September 15, 1990 in Hanford, California. From a young age he was captivated by the world of television, crediting a fourth‑grade viewing of Shia LaBeouf on "Even Stevens" as the spark that set him on the path to performance. He began his professional career in 2005, initially landing minor roles such as a brief appearance in the 2007 film Rattle Basket and a guest spot on the popular teen series Zoey 101. After a series of auditions, Shively clinched the role of Ryan Laserbeam on Nickelodeon's True Jackson, VP, a part that brought him widespread recognition and showcased his comedic timing. In addition to his live‑action work, he expanded into voice acting, lending his voice to Crown Prince Sky in the animated series Winx Club and its subsequent feature films. The actor continued to diversify his résumé with eclectic projects: he appeared in the horror‑comedy April Apocalypse (2011), portrayed Kirby Bancroft‑Cadworth III in the second season of The Troop, and took a leading role in the 2012 installment of Paranormal Activity (Chapter 4). Critics noted his likable and delightful performances, particularly in the latter film. Shively also explored independent cinema, starring in the mockumentary Bucky and the Squirrels (2014) and co‑starring in the comedy Noobz (2013). His television resurgence came with the ABC series The Real O'Neals (2016), where he played Jimmy O'Neal, earning praise for his nuanced portrayal of a teenage character navigating family and identity. Beyond acting, Shively maintains a passion for music, having formed the band Connecting Channels with fellow actor Sterling Knight, and remains an avid fan of Degrassi: The Next Generation. Since 2017 he has been in a committed relationship with actress Ashley Newbrough, though the couple has not publicly announced marriage or children.