Matthew Lillard has revealed a surprising detail about his early career, admitting he frightened people for money long before becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable horror stars.
The actor, best known for playing Stu Macher in “Scream” and William Afton in “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” once worked inside a haunted attraction, where terrifying visitors was part of his daily routine.
Matthew Lillard eventually built a successful career scaring movie audiences; he has made an ironic confession about what happens when he visits haunted houses himself.
Matthew Lillard Reveals Strange Job He Had Before Becoming A Hollywood Star
Last year, Lillard opened up about his unusual introduction to horror entertainment. The actor said one of his earliest jobs was working as a scare performer at Knott’s Scary Farm, a popular Halloween attraction in California.
At just 19, Lillard was responsible for frightening unsuspecting guests as they explored a haunted asylum attraction. “I was a haunt actor at Knott’s Scary Farm when I was 19 years old,” he recalled.
The “Scooby-Doo” star explained that the job required him to run around the attraction wearing torn clothing while attempting to scare visitors. “And I ran around the asylum with my clothes ripped off and scaring people,” Lillard added.
He described the experience as one of his first paid acting jobs. Interestingly, the actor joked that he had never previously shared the unusual detail publicly. The revelation offered fans a glimpse into how his connection to horror entertainment began before he became famous.
The ‘Scream’ Star Makes Hilarious Confession About Being Frightened At Haunted Houses
Despite spending decades portraying frightening characters, Lillard admitted he isn’t immune to being terrified. During the October 2025 interview with PEOPLE, the actor recalled visiting a haunted house at Universal Studios and initially assuming the experience would be disappointing.
However, his confidence quickly disappeared when the attraction proved more frightening than expected. “It scared the bejesus out of me,” he confessed. Lillard said the experience surprised him, especially since he had previously worked inside a similar attraction.
The actor also explained why he believes people willingly pay to experience fear during Halloween. According to him, horror offers audiences a rare chance to feel powerful emotions in a controlled environment.
He described being frightened as exhilarating, arguing that it helps explain the popularity of horror movies and haunted attractions. His comments reveal an amusing contrast between his professional experience terrifying audiences and his personal vulnerability to fear.
Matthew Lillard’s Early Horror Experience Came Full Circle With ‘Scream’
Lillard’s big transforming role came years after frightening visitors at Knott’s Scary Farm. In 1996, he appeared in Wes Craven’s “Scream” as Stu Macher, one of the masked killers terrorizing the fictional town of Woodsboro.
The film became a commercial success and helped establish Lillard as a recognizable Hollywood performer. However, the actor recently admitted that he initially underestimated the movie’s potential.
During an October 2026 reunion at New York Comic Con, Lillard recalled believing the film would fail to attract significant attention. According to PEOPLE, he even considered pursuing television because he doubted the movie would become successful. Instead, “Scream” developed into a major horror franchise.
As reported by The Blast, Lillard reunited with co-star Skeet Ulrich to celebrate the original film’s 30th anniversary. The reunion highlighted how their performances became an enduring part of horror history.
The Actor Previously Admitted He Struggled To Embrace His Horror Success
Although Lillard became closely associated with scary movies, he previously admitted he didn’t always appreciate his reputation in the genre. During a 2024 interview with Forbes, the actor explained that he once worried horror roles would prevent Hollywood from taking him seriously.
He believed the success of movies such as “Scream” and “Thirteen Ghosts” had not translated into the dramatic opportunities he wanted. However, his perspective eventually changed as he recognized the importance of his devoted horror fan base.
Lillard subsequently portrayed William Afton in the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” franchise, introducing him to another generation of fans. The role marked another chapter in his career, bringing him back to the genre that had helped establish his reputation.
Inside Matthew Lillard’s Emotional Return To The ‘Scream’ Franchise
Lillard’s horror journey also took another significant turn when he returned to the franchise that made him famous. The actor admitted feeling nervous about reprising Stu Macher in “Scream 7.”
The actor was initially concerned about disappointing his longtime fans; however, he embraced the challenge and saw the opportunity as an exciting professional risk. He also reunited with familiar performers, including Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox.
His career has since expanded to other projects, including the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s “Carrie.” However, the actor’s revelation about Knott’s Scary Farm offers a particularly fitting reminder of where his horror journey began.
Matthew Lillard was already perfecting the art of scaring strangers inside a Halloween attraction before his characters scared audiences.
