Matthew Settle

Matthew Settle
Name	Matthew Settle
Birth date	17 September 1969
Birth place	Hickory, North Carolina
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1996–present
Notable works	Band of Brothers, Gossip Girl, The X-Files

Matthew Settle is an American actor known for portraying complex supporting and lead characters across television, film, and theatre. He achieved early visibility in the acclaimed Band of Brothers and later reached mainstream recognition with a starring role in the teen drama Gossip Girl. Settle’s career spans guest appearances on procedural dramas, roles in independent films, and stage performances on regional and Off-Broadway stages.

Early life and education

Settle was born in Hickory, North Carolina and raised in a family connected to the textile and regional business communities of the American South. He attended secondary school in Charlotte, North Carolina before pursuing higher education. Settle studied at institutions in the United States where he developed early interests in performance and the dramatic arts, training in acting techniques and vocal performance that informed later work on Broadway-adjacent stages and television.

Acting career

Settle began his professional career with guest and recurring roles on American television, appearing on series such as The X-Files, ER, and Profiler, which introduced him to casting directors for larger projects. He earned critical attention portraying a soldier in the World War II ensemble Band of Brothers, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, which aired on HBO. This role connected him to a network of actors from Hollywood war dramas and historical adaptations.

In the 2000s, Settle transitioned into film with performances in titles like The Devil's Own (supporting), working alongside actors from Hollywood and independent cinema circles. He secured a signature role as Rufus Humphrey on the teen drama Gossip Girl, a series developed from the novels by Cecily von Ziegesar and produced by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. On Gossip Girl, Settle’s character intersected with storylines involving the fictional social universe surrounding Upper East Side elites, placing him in recurring arcs alongside actors from ensemble casts typical of serialized teen drama.

Settle’s television résumé includes appearances on crime and medical dramas such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal Minds, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, aligning him with long-running franchises and procedural formats that dominate American network schedules. He has worked with directors and producers from studios including Warner Bros. Television, ABC Studios, and Paramount Television and collaborated with actors across genres, from period pieces to contemporary serialized narratives.

In film, Settle has taken roles in independent productions and studio films, contributing to genres ranging from thriller to romance. He has worked on projects with cinematographers and composers known in the film community and has participated in film festivals that showcase American and international independent cinema.

Filmography

- Band of Brothers (miniseries) — Ensemble cast; produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks; aired on HBO - Gossip Girl (TV series) — Rufus Humphrey; created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage; based on novels by Cecily von Ziegesar - The X-Files (guest appearance) — long-running series created by Chris Carter - The Devil's Own — supporting role; film featuring talent from Hollywood - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (guest appearance) — produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television - Criminal Minds (guest appearance) — produced by ABC Studios - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (guest appearance) — part of the Law & Order (franchise) - ER (TV series) (guest appearance) — medical drama produced by John Wells - Profiler (guest appearance) — crime drama series - Additional independent films and shorts screened at regional and international film festivals, with credits linked to various production companies in the United States film industry

Theatre work

Settle’s theatrical training and experience include performances in regional theater and New York stages, participating in productions that range from contemporary dramas to classical repertoire. He performed in productions affiliated with regional theaters in the United States and has worked with directors known for transitioning actors between stage and screen, engaging with playwrights and dramaturgs active in the American theater community. His stage work informed his screen performances, emphasizing character development and vocal technique.

Personal life

Settle has maintained a private personal life while occasionally appearing in entertainment press and industry interviews. He has family ties to the Southern United States and has been involved in charitable and community events connected to arts organizations. Settle has been linked socially with collaborators from television production teams, independent filmmakers, and theater ensembles.

Awards and recognition

Settle’s ensemble work on Band of Brothers contributed to the miniseries’ critical acclaim and awards attention from institutions including Primetime Emmy Awards and critics’ circles, although individual awards for Settle are not prominent. His role on Gossip Girl earned him recognition among television audiences and mentions in entertainment media covering serialized drama casts, reflecting influence within youth-oriented pop culture and television ensemble performance.

Category:American male film actors Category:American male television actors Category:1969 births Category:Living people