Matthew Quincy Daddario (born October 1, 1987) is an American actor. He gained recognition for his role as Alec Lightwood in the television series Shadowhunters (2016–2019).
Early life Daddario was born and raised in New York City, the son of Christina Daddario, a lawyer, and Richard Daddario, a prosecutor and former head of NYPD Counterterrorism under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. His older sister is actress Alexandra Daddario.
Daddario's paternal grandfather was Emilio Daddario, a Democratic representative to the United States House of Representatives for the state of Connecticut from 1959 to 1971. He is of Italian, English, Irish, and Slovak ancestry. Daddario attended the Collegiate School, before graduating with a degree in economics from Indiana University Bloomington in 2010.
Career Daddario made his major film debut as Aaron in the romantic drama film Breathe In, which was directed by Drake Doremus. In the same year he had a supporting role as Channing in the Vince Vaughn-led comedy film Delivery Man, directed by Ken Scott. In 2014, Daddario portrayed Danny Ladouceur in the sports drama film When the Game Stands Tall, co-starring alongside Jim Caviezel, Laura Dern, and Alexander Ludwig. The film is based on the achievements of football coach Bob Ladouceur and the De La Salle Spartans, who set a record 151-game winning streak.
In 2015, he co-starred as Gabriel in the teen comedy-drama Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List. In May 2015, it was announced that Daddario would portray Alec Lightwood on the Freeform fantasy series Shadowhunters, based on The Mortal Instruments series of novels by Cassandra Clare. He received a variety of nominations including Teen Choice Awards and GLAAD awards for his performance in the series. The show began airing on January 12, 2016 and ended on May 6, 2019. Also in 2016, he starred in the remake of Eli Roth's horror film Cabin Fever which was directed by Travis Z. In 2020, he joined the cast of Why Women Kill for the show's second season. He portrayed Scooter, a wannabe actor described as "charming but not so bright."
Personal life Daddario married Esther Kim on December 31, 2017. They have two children, the first of which was born in 2020. In February 2024, Kim revealed that they were expecting their second child and gave birth later in 2024.
Filmography Film Year Title RoleNotes 2012 The Debut Peter Hamble 2013 Breathe In Aaron 36 Saints Sebastian Delivery Man Channing 2014 When the Game Stands Tall Danny Ladouceur 2015 Growing Up and Other Lies Peter Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List Gabriel 2016 Cabin Fever Jeff The Last Hunt Matthias Short film; also director and executive producer2021 Trust Owen Wild Game Donny 2022 Into the Deep Ben 2024 Party People Marty 2025 The Italians Nico
Television Year Title Role Notes 2016–2019 Shadowhunters Alec Lightwood Main role 2020 Tommy Blaine Episode: "To Take a Hostage" 2021 Why Women Kill Scooter Main role (season 2) 2023 Blue Bloods John DiPierro Episode: "Family Matters" 2024 Sister Wife Murder Caleb Television film 2025 Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story Gabe DeLuca Television film
Awards and nominations Year Nominated work Award Category Result Ref2016Shadowhunters Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Breakout Star MTV Fandom Awards Ship of the Year (shared with Harry Shum Jr.) 2017Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Actor Choice TV: Ship (shared with Harry Shum Jr.) Choice TV: Liplock (shared with Harry Shum Jr.) 2018Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Actor Choice TV: Ship (shared with Harry Shum Jr.)
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