Matt Battaglia is an Emmy winning producer, has co-produced a two time Golden Globe nominated film and has been an actor in over 100 films, network pilots and television shows. He’s a former All-American & NFL football player, who as a collegiate athlete led the nation in tackles twice. Last year, he recurred as an actor in “The Resident” on Fox and filmed 8 out of 10 episodes in“Paradise Lost” for Paramount with Nick Nolte, Josh Hartnett & Barbara Hershey. In 2019, he co-starred in the Tom Shadyac film “Brian Banks” portraying legendary football coach Pete Carroll. In 2018, he recurred on the Netflix series “Best, Worst, Weekend Ever”. In 2016, he starred as the U. S. President in Tyler Perry’s hit television series “Too Close Too Home” w/ Heather Locklear co-starring as the First Lady. In 2015, Battaglia recurred in the HBO’s critically acclaimed and multi-Emmy winning tv series “True Detective”.
As a Producer, the first television show that Battaglia pitched “Last Shot with Judge Gunn”, was sold straight into syndication for 260 episodes. Battaglia Executive Produced and personally financed this unscripted show which won him 2 Emmy’s as Executive Producer for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Drama. He was instrumental in overseeing all facets and controlling production budgets, while also being heavily involved with the creative elements.
Battaglia’s first film that he Co-produced in 2009 was nominated for two Golden Globes. Directed by six-time Academy Award nominee Jim Sheridan, from a script written by David Benioff (“Game of Thrones”) — “Brothers”, starred Oscar winner Natalie Portman, Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal & Golden Globe nominee Tobey Maguire. The film was distributed by Relativity and Lionsgate. Battaglia was also a Co-executive producer on the 2009 horror film Kill Theory, directed by producer Chris Moore.
Battaglia has pitched 2 one hour dramas and sold them both in the room. The first (sold to Fox Studios) was based on the national bestselling book “Bad Monkeys” by Matt Ruff. Pilot script was commissioned by Fox. The 2nd was entitled “Pyrates” and was bought by Fox after he and his team pitched it to Fox President Kevin Reilly. His partners included Tony To (current President of Production at Lucasfilm) & four time Oscar nominated director Ridley Scott attached to produce along with writer Barry Schindel (“Castle”, “Law & Order”).
Matt is often remembered for his memorable role as the fireman Vince, a boyfriend of Lisa Kudrow’s character on NBC’s hit sitcom “Friends”. Other notable recent guest stars include “Mike & Molly”, “The Mentalist”, “NCIS-LA”, “Hawaii Five-O” and more than 90 other shows.
Battaglia is also an extremely successful real estate investor and developer. He owns a company that has completed 4 subdivisions in Greenville, SC, totaling over 250 lots/homes, in which his company handled the horizontal build of street, curb, gutter, utilities, etc & he sold these to largest builder in America (D.R. Horton). He has also has other developments in South Carolina, Florida, & Georgia.
In 2019, he completed building a 6,100 sq. ft luxury beachfront down on 30A, in the gulf of Florida. In 2007, he built a house on the side of a cliff in the Hollywood Hills (7810 Granito down on 30A, in the gulf of Florida. Drive, Los Angeles).
On a personal front, Battaglia co-founded “The Mint Jubilee” charity event in memory of his mother Nancy Van Cleve Battaglia whom he lost to cancer in 1993. It became a world class event attracting high profiled celebrities, entertainers and dignitaries from around the globe and was televised worldwide in over 130 countries and over 200 million homes.
The non-profit raised millions of dollars for cancer patients and provided financial resources to scientists, cancer centers and hospitals committed to finding cures and controls for cancer. The annual black tie gala took place in Louisville, Kentucky the night before the Kentucky Derby from 1999-2011.
Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Matt grew up in suburbs around Atlanta, Georgia. He starred in wrestling & football, received a football scholarship to the University of Louisville, where he became an All-American middle linebacker, leading the nation in tackles both his junior & senior year. He was voted team captain and Most Valuable Player by teammates and coaches. Battaglia also played in the N.F.L. with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Battaglia’s greatest accomplishment to date is that of his marriage to Tina and being a father to his 12 year old son Blaize & 10 year old daughter Paxton.
