Get to Know 'Sheepdog' Star Matt Dallas with These 10 Fun Facts! (Exclusive)
Matt Dallas is starring in a brand new film Sheepdog, and we got to sit down with the talented star and learn more about him.
Shot on location in Western Massachusetts, Sheepdog is the first film that truly explores the physical and psychological repercussions of post-war trauma, with a focus on Post Traumatic Growth (PTG). It is an uplifting original story, inspired by countless first-hand testimonials from veterans about recovery, redemption, and the journey of healing. The film’s authentic representation has garnered praise from critics and the Veteran community alike as it’s travelled the country on the festival circuit. It was written and directed by Steven Grayhm.
The film was released yesterday, and has some great reviews. Be sure to see it in theaters today!
Like we said, we chatted with Matt about his life and got to learn 10 Fun Facts about him.
Check them out below.
- I owe becoming an actor to my grandma. When I was 12, she noticed I wasn’t exactly thriving on the sports field and suspected I was searching for something else. She took me to audition for my first play, The Ugly Duckling, and even hand-made my costume for my role as The Gander. That small act of belief quietly changed my life.
- I stepped away from acting for a while to focus on building a family. There was a period where being present as a partner and parent mattered more than being on set. Because of that, there couldn’t be a more meaningful project to return to acting with than SHEEPDOG.
- Our two kids came to my husband, Blue Hamilton, and me through foster care. What began as a desire to help turned into the greatest gift of our lives. Becoming parents this way reshaped how I see family, patience, and love in ways I never expected.
- I teach a film workshop for adults with developmental disabilities. Working with this community has been one of the most grounding experiences of my career. It’s brought me a lot of joy, but more than that, it’s reminded me why I wanted to be an actor and storyteller in the first place — to connect, to listen, and to make space for voices that are often overlooked.
- In 2011, I met Steven Grayhm while shooting a western at the historic Paramount Ranch.
That ranch has since burned down, but that summer sparked a partnership that’s lasted more than a decade. We took a road trip together to listen to combat veterans share their stories, they would become the foundation for SHEEPDOG.
Head inside to check out the rest of the fun facts…
- Over the years, veterans became the heart of the film. Steven and I listened to hundreds of firsthand stories. Those conversations didn’t just inform the script, they shaped the responsibility we felt to tell the story honestly and with care.
- I gained 47 pounds for SHEEPDOG because the character required it. Darryl Sparks isn’t defined by how he looks, but by what he’s carrying. We wanted his physical presence to reflect emotional withdrawal, self-neglect, and the quiet ways people sometimes try to hide from unresolved pain. It was about honoring the stories we were trusted with, not making assumptions about veterans.
- One of the biggest challenges in getting SHEEPDOG made was being told it “wouldn’t matter.” We heard more than once that audiences wouldn’t care enough about a veterans story, or that Steven and I weren’t famous enough to tell it. That resistance only reinforced why the film needed to exist.
- Through every stop, start and setback over 14 years, the veterans kept us going.
Whenever the process felt overwhelming, we came back to the people who shared their stories with us. They were the constant reminder of why we started. - In 2018, my husband convinced me it was time to leave Hollywood. We traded traffic for a quieter, more rural life. These days I share my home with a dog, four cats, and about twenty chickens — which has a funny way of keeping you grounded… and very aware of the time.