Matthew Marsden (born 3 March 1973) is an English actor, producer, singer, and model. He has appeared in films such as Helen of Troy, Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, Tamara, Resident Evil: Extinction, Rambo, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and Atlas Shrugged.

Early life

Marsden was born at Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich, West Midlands, and raised on the Yew Tree Estate in Walsall, West Midlands. He is of Irish descent. His father abandoned the family when Marsden was ten years old and he and his sister, Leanne, were brought up by their mother, Ann. He attended Manor High School in Wednesbury, West Midlands, before leaving to go to Dartmouth High School in Great Barr, West Midlands. After leaving school, he joined the National Youth Theatre.

Marsden found work as a model in London with "Models 1", Paris with "Men of Karin", and Milan with "Beatrice". He featured in commercials for products such as Jacobs Coffee, Punica, Vimto, and Impulse. He has since commented, "I was at college in London and when you're a struggling student it doesn't take a genius to work out that it's easier to model for a few hours each week and earn thousands of pounds than work in a bar for a pittance. But I hated doing it really." After nearly two years of modelling he decided to get an agent, and found work as an actor.