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Matthew Lillard has revealed surprising details about his early career, admitting that he scared people for money long before he became 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 an attraction, where frightening visitors was part of his daily routine.
Matthew Lillard eventually built a successful career terrorizing movie audiences; he has made an ironic confession about what happens when he visits haunted houses himself.
Matthew Lillard reveals a strange job he had before he became 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 scarecrow at Knott’s Scary Farm, a Halloween attraction in California.
At just 19, Lillard was responsible for terrorizing unsuspecting guests as they searched for an attraction for asylum. “I was an entertainer 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 with torn clothes while trying to scare visitors. “And I ran around the sanctuary with my clothes ripped off and scaring people,” Lillard said.
He described the experience as one of his first paid acting jobs. Interestingly, the actor joked that he had never shared unusual details in public. The release gave fans a glimpse into how his association with horror entertainment began before he rose to fame.
The ‘Scream’ star makes a hilarious confession about being scared of haunted houses
Despite spending decades portraying scary characters, Lillard admitted that he is not immune to fear. During an 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 faded when the draw was worse than expected. “It scared the crap out of me,” he admitted. Lillard said the experience surprised him, especially since he had worked in a similar attraction.
The actor also explained why he thinks people are willing to pay to get scared on Halloween. According to him, horror gives audiences a rare opportunity to feel powerful emotions in a controlled environment.
He said the fear was exciting, arguing that it helps explain the popularity of horror films and attractions. His comments show a comical contrast between his audience-intimidating professional expertise and frightening vulnerability.
Matthew Lillard’s Early Horror Experience Came Full Circle With ‘Scream’
Lillard’s career changed dramatically years after he terrorized visitors at Knott’s Scary Farm. In 1996, he appeared in Wes Craven’s “Scream” as Stu Macher, one of the masked killers who terrorized the fictional town of Woodsboro.
The film became a commercial success and helped establish Lillard as a famous actor in Hollywood. However, the actor recently admitted that he initially underestimated the film’s potential.
At a reunion in October 2026 at New York Comic Con, Lillard recalled believing that the film would not attract much attention. According to PEOPLE, he even considered pursuing television because he doubted the film would be successful. Instead, “Scream” became a major horror franchise.
As reported by The Blast, Lillard reunited with co-star Skeet Ulrich to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original film. The reunion marked how their performances became an enduring part of horror history.
The actor previously admitted that he struggled to accept his overwhelming success
Although Lillard was closely associated with horror films, he previously admitted that he did not always appreciate his fame in the genre. In an interview with Forbes in 2024, the actor explained that he once worried that horror roles would prevent Hollywood from taking him seriously.
He believed that the success of films like “Scream” and “Thirteen Ghosts” did not translate into the amazing opportunities he wanted. However, his attitude eventually changed as he recognized the importance of his awesome fans.
Lillard later portrayed William Afton in the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” franchise, which introduced him to another generation of fans. The role marked another chapter in his career, bringing him back to the genre that helped establish his reputation.
Inside Matthew Lillard’s Emotional Return to the ‘Scream’ Franchise
Lillard’s tumultuous journey also took another big turn when he returned to the franchise that made him famous. The actor admitted that he was nervous about reprising Stu Macher in “Scream 7”.
The actor was initially concerned about disappointing his longtime fans; however, he accepted the challenge and saw the opportunity as an interesting professional risk. He also met experienced actors, including Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox.
His career has since expanded to other projects, including the upcoming adaptation of “Carrie.” by Stephen King. However, the actor’s revelation about Knott’s Scary Farm is a 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.
