Matt McGorry

Matt McGorry – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Learn about Matt McGorry — his journey from a young performer in Manhattan to a successful actor and activist. Discover his life, career highlights (e.g. Orange Is the New Black and How to Get Away with Murder), his social advocacy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Matt McGorry (born April 12, 1986) is an American actor, former bodybuilder, and outspoken social activist. He is best known for his roles as John Bennett in Orange Is the New Black and Asher Millstone in How to Get Away with Murder.

But beyond his acting, McGorry is committed to causes like feminism, prison abolition, and raising awareness about health issues (including his own experience with long COVID). His journey reflects a blending of artistry and advocacy.

Early Life and Family

Matthew David McGorry was born and raised in Manhattan, New York City.

He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York. Emerson College, graduating in 2008.

While public sources don’t give extensive detail on his parents or siblings, McGorry has discussed personal growth, identity, and the internal challenges he faced in interviews.

Youth, Fitness & Foundations

Before fully breaking into acting, McGorry cultivated a career in fitness:

• He worked as a personal trainer, and contributed fitness writing to Men’s Journal.

• He competed in bodybuilding / powerlifting, pushing his discipline physically.

• In interviews, he has reflected on the mental strain of attaining ultra-low body fat percentages and how that shapes one’s perception of “normal.”

This fitness foundation not only shaped his physique but also instilled in him values of discipline, goal-setting, and self-awareness—qualities that have carried over into his acting and activism.

Acting Career & Achievements

Early Roles and Breakthrough

McGorry’s on-screen career began with smaller guest roles:

• He had guest appearances on One Life to Live, Person of Interest, Gossip Girl, Royal Pains, among others.

• In 2013, he secured a recurring role as John Bennett, a corrections officer, on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black.

• In 2014, he was cast as Asher Millstone, a law student / aspiring lawyer, in ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder. This role became one of his most prominent, spanning multiple seasons.

Beyond television, he has appeared in films such as How He Fell in Love, Ratter, Loserville, Death of a Telemarketer, and Good on Paper.

In 2022, McGorry also appeared in Archive 81, a supernatural horror series.

Style & Approach

McGorry has spoken about how he approaches roles—balancing realism, emotional truth, and the demands of character arcs.

He also embraces complexity in his characters—his roles often grapple with moral ambiguity, internal struggles, and redemption.

Personal Life, Beliefs & Advocacy

Matt McGorry is more than an actor; he's a visible advocate:

Identity & Personal Reflections

McGorry has publicly discussed his experiences with sexuality, noting that he experimented with men earlier in life, though he identifies as straight.

Activism & Social Causes

His advocacy includes:

• Feminism & gender equality: McGorry is outspoken about the need for male allies in feminism, the importance of listening, and acknowledging blind spots.

• He has recognized and admitted public mistakes as he deepened his understanding of feminism and intersectionality.

• Prison and policing issues: He identifies as a police and prison abolitionist.

• Health & awareness: In 2024, McGorry revealed that he was diagnosed with long COVID and has shared his experiences to raise awareness about the long-term impacts of the disease.

These dimensions of his life illustrate someone who uses his platform not just for art, but for conversations and advocacy.

Famous Quotes of Matt McGorry

Here are a selection of notable and representative quotes:

“At some point, you’re just happy to be a working actor, but to be able to do it with people you really love and enjoy spending time with, it’s just such a rare thing.” “For me, my preference for comedy is grounding it in the psychology of the character … grounded comedy resonates more with people.” “I’ve had to realize I need to distance myself a bit from relying on the feedback. I think it’s wonderful but can also be poison.” “The mind is the most important part of achieving any fitness goal. Mental change always comes before physical change.” “When you’re used to being at a point where you’re deadlifting close to 600 pounds … it kind of skews your understanding of what is normal and OK.” “We need to create a society where girls and women are getting the same encouragement and support to build their careers as the boys and men are. From the start.”

These quotes illustrate themes of authenticity, discipline, advocacy, and emotional reflection.

Lessons from Matt McGorry

1. Evolve with humility – McGorry’s willingness to admit his early missteps in activism shows growth is continuous.

2. Balance art and activism – He demonstrates that an artist can also engage deeply in social issues.

3. Mental strength matters – His reflections on fitness, ambition, and mental expectations remind us that inner work underlies external success.

4. Complexity is a strength – Embracing nuance (in identity, character, values) leads to more honest, resonant work.

5. Platform as responsibility – McGorry uses his visibility not just for personal gain but to amplify voices, start conversations, and educate.

Conclusion

Matt McGorry is a multifaceted figure in today’s entertainment landscape: a performer, thinker, and advocate. His journey from a young performer in New York to well-known television roles often intersects with his values and activism. He has shown that success can coexist with purpose, and artistry can be a vehicle for social change.

If you’d like a deeper dive into a particular season of How to Get Away with Murder, his activism work, or a close analysis of one of his performances, just say the word.