Matt Whelan

Matt Whelan (also credited as Matthew Whelan and Matthew Patrick James Oliver Whelan) is a New Zealand screen actor and comedian from Christchurch, New Zealand. He rose to wider recognition through television, building a profile with sharp comic timing and an easy on-screen presence.

Whelan became well known to local audiences for playing Brad Caulfield in the New Zealand comedy-drama series Go Girls. His work has also crossed into international productions, including portraying Playboy founder Hugh Hefner in Amazon’s American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story, and appearing as DEA agent Van Ness in Netflix’s Narcos.

On film, Whelan’s credits range from indie favorites to genre fare. Notable roles include Ben in The Tank, Michael in The Most Fun You Can Have Dying, James in My Wedding and Other Secrets, Richard in 1480 Radio Pirates, and a memorable early turn as the “Kissing Boy” in Eagle vs Shark. He has also lent his voice to August in Fetch and appears as Mitch in We Bury the Dead.