Matthew Lillard has been nailing role after role since 1994. While many are in comedy and horror films, his talents are not limited to those genres. The role that catapulted him into the limelight was his portrayal of Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo franchise. He took on a new role in 2023, playing William Afton (Springtrap) in “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” He immediately settled into the character. When face-to-face with a mini-me version of Springtrap at the Texas Frightmare Weekend, Matthew Lillard turned the tables to become the gushing fan.
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To say that he was amazed is putting it mildly. Matthew ran to get his personal camera after asking the young boy’s mom, Jessica Mackenzie Ballard if it was OK. Jessica and her son made the custom costume, an incredible replica of the real one. After the pictures, Matthew hugged them. His smiles and excitement about seeing the great costume filled the convention space. When Jessica posted about it, she said, “Matthew Lillard is a national treasure!!!” He may well be.
We’ve written about this superstar before at InspireMore. At a different convention, he went above and beyond to ensure that a disabled fan had a great experience. He was no different at the Texas Frightmare Weekend. Matthew enjoys his fans, and he lets them know it. His bubbling enthusiasm is infectious. He gets excited to see people who appreciate the work he does.
The Backstory About How Matthew Lillard Became Springtrap
No spoilers. Several characters wear animatronic suits if you aren’t familiar with the Freddy movies. The animatronics were used at Fredbear’s Family Diner until an accident involving faulty springlocks. The restaurant was renamed Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, but the suits were kept in a safe room. William Afton (Lillard), who created all the animatronic suits, wore the Spring Bonnie suit, but the springlocks malfunctioned. He died, but his corpse remains trapped in the costume, now called Springtrap. The character looks like a bedraggled bunny because it is.
As the Freddy franchise continues making movies and video games, Matthew Lillard will continue portraying Springtrap. As with all his roles, he has added special touches to the character, making it uniquely his. When he was debating whether or not to accept the role, his kids were a driving force. While discussing it with his family, his kids said, “Dad. That is going to be huge!” And indeed, it is.
We look forward to seeing what the future has in store for Matthew Lillard. One thing is certain: his fans will always appreciate how enthusiastically he greets them. If you can go to a convention where he is a guest, take the time for a meet-and-greet. His energy is infectious, and he truly loves his fans.
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