Matthew Broderick is an American award-winning actor best known for his lead roles in the films Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and WarGames.
The son of the late playwright, actress and painter Patricia Biow and actor James Broderick, Matthew Broderick was born on March 21, 1962 in New York City. He attended City & Country School in Manhattan and Walden School, where he studied acting under its drama program.
Matthew Broderick first had his major acting role in Horton Foote’s On Valentine’s Day, alongside with his father James, who was a good friend of Foote. He then starred in the off-Broadway Production of Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy, which were all positively reviewed by known New York Times theater critic Mel Gussow. In 1983, Broderick made his screen debut in the comedy-drama film Max Dugan Returns, co-starring Jason Robards, Marsha Mason, Donald Sutherland, and Kiefer Sutherland.
In 1983, Broderick starred in the suspense film WarGames, playing the bright unmotivated high school student David Lightman. The film also featured Ally Sheedy, Dabney Coleman, John Wood, and Barry Corbin.
In 1986, Broderick starred in the hit comedy film Ferry Bueller’s Day Off, playing the high school student Ferry Bueller who together with his girlfriend, Sloane Peterson and his best friend, Cameron Frye, skips school and explores downtown Chicago while evading his irate school dean Mr. Edward Rooney.In 1994, Broderick provided the voice of the adult Simba in the animated feature film The Lion King.
Broderick returned in the Broadway scene in the 1990s, as a musical star. He co-starred with Megan Mullaly in the 1995 revival of How to Succedd in Business Without Really Trying, in which he earned a Tony Award for his outstanding performance. He also played Leo Bloom in the stage and film versions of The Producers.
Matthew Broderick has been married to Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker since 1997.