Biography for
Matthew Ashford

advertisement

Date of Birth

29 January 1960, Davenport, Iowa, USA

Birth Name

Matthew Nile Ashford

Height

6' 1" (1.85 m)

Mini Biography

Matthew Nile Ashford was born on January 29th, 1960 in Davenport, Iowa. He comes from a rather large family being the sixth of eight children; David, Teresa, Jeffrey, Phil, Randy, Matthew, Susie and Sally. When Matthew was 13 years old the family moved to Fairfax, VA where he became heavily involved in the high-school drama program. Upon graduation he enrolled in the top-ranked North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, NC. During the summer months, Matt worked in Myrtle Beach as a street performer with a buddy from school. They called themselves the Ragamuffin Magic & Mime Company, rode unicyles, juggled, and even wore red rubber noses! After graduating from college Matthew decided to take his act to New York City, and was quickly signed to the contract role of "Drew Ralston" on One Life to Live. He stayed with the show for a year, until Drew was killed in a flower shop on the night before his wedding. Within the year Matthew was under contract with another soap. In 1983 he was signed by Search for Tomorrow where he played "Cagney McCleary" until the show was cancelled in 1986. In 1987 Matthew married his girlfriend of two years, moved to Los Angeles, and was snatched up by Days of Our Lives for his most famous role, "Jack Deveraux" (1987-1993).

IMDb Mini Biography By: SusenMc@aol.com

Mini Biography

Matthew Nile Ashford was born on January 29, 1960 in the town of Davenport, Iowa. He is the third youngest [youngest boy] of eight kids. He has four brothers and 3 sisters, and in descending order their names are: Dave [6/4], Jeff [6/4], Phil [10/1], Teresa [4/16], Randy [8/9], Matt [1/29], Susie [3/13], and Sally [9/16]. When he was 12 years old his sisters took him to auditions for a local play and it was there that he was bitten by the acting bug. A year later the family moved to Fairfax, VA where Matthew attended Hayfield High and continued to involve himself in local theatre as well as school productions. After graduation, Matthew attended the highly accredited North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. During the summer months he and a friend worked as street performers in Myrtle Beach, SC ­ mime, magic, juggling, improv. Eventually he joined the Ragamuffin Magic & Mime Company where he earned his first professional paycheck. Soon after graduating from NC School of the Arts, in 1982, with a B.F.A. in Theatre he followed his star to New York City, it was full of opportunities and it was still only a train ride from mom. Matthew was not in town long before he was put under contract by ABC and cast as Drew Ralston on One Life to Live (82'-83'). Sadly, Drew was killed in a flower shop on the eve of his wedding. After his year on OLTL, Matt toured with a troupe performing "Member of the Wedding" which soon led to his second soap, Search For Tomorrow. Matt played Cagney McCleary, with 'brothers' John Forsythe and Jeff Meek, from 1983 until the show was canceled in December of 1986. Matt quickly made the role of "Jack" his own and won several awards for his portrayal of the popular Days' character including Soap Opera Digest's Best Villain in 1989, a Super Couple (1991) and Best Wedding (1992) award with Melissa Reeves, as well as the Best Comedic Performance award in 1992. Strangely, the birth of Matthew and Christina's daughter Grace seemed to coincide with the birth of Jack's television daughter, Abigail. Little Grace was born on June 15, 1992. Matt left Day's of Our Lives within the following year, in September of 1993, after six years as Jack Deveraux. He remains the only true "Jack" in the hearts of many. In 1997, he and his wife Grace had a second child -- a daughter Emma. During his time off from the soaps, Matt took the opportunity to get involved with live theatre again. He joined the prestigious Interact Theatre Company, headed by former co-star Marilyn McIntyre (ex- Jo Days). He remains active in the troupe, despite his daytime schedule.

IMDb Mini Biography By:

Spouse

Christina Saffran

(6 June 1987 - present) 2 children

Trivia

His wife, Christina is very talented in her own right as an actor-dancer-singer-choreographer. She and Matthew met in Hawaii in 1985 when he auditioned for a part in a World Peace Culture Festival. The choreographer just happened to be Christina.

Has two daughters: Grace (b. 1992) and Emma (b. 1997)

Spokesperson for Retinoblastoma International, an organization the Ashfords were instrumental in forming after his daughter Emma was diagnosed with the rare form of infant eye cancer, from which she is now in remission.

Worked many odd jobs in order to attend the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After college graduation, Matt moved to New York City.

In his spare time, enjoys hiking, camping, having outdoor adventures, and above all, being with his family.

Personal Quotes

When I was in New York doing "One Life to Live" (1968), I'd work out at the gym during the day. I'd turn up the TV while I was on the treadmill to see what was going on on "Days". It was a strange, otherworldly experience. Jack was dead, but I was alive. I'd yell at the TV set, "I'm here! I'm here!" It was like a bad dream.

Where Are They Now

(February 2001) He returned to the role that made him famous, Jack Deveraux on Days of Our Lives. He recently signed a 3-year contract.

(December 2007) Performing as Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music at The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, MN. His Maria is played by Jessica Bogart a Broadway actress.

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z