Matthew Modine Opens Up About His Career, Family, And The Woman Who Changed His Life

So, what’s the secret behind Matthew Modine’s incredible journey in Hollywood? If you ask him, it all comes down to his wife of nearly four decades, Caridad Rivera. "There were plenty of bad-boy actors I worked with and called friends over the years—Mel Gibson, Nic Cage, Sean Penn," shares Matthew, 61, in an exclusive sit-down with Closer Weekly. "But when they ventured off into their bad-boy antics, I’d say, 'It was fun hanging out with you—I’m heading home now!' I don’t judge them, but with the unwavering support and strength that Cari has given me, I sometimes wonder if I’d even be alive today if it weren’t for her."

Caridad wasn’t just the rock that kept Matthew grounded through the wild highs and devastating lows of his career. From his groundbreaking roles in '80s masterpieces like Birdy and Full Metal Jacket, to his triumphant return in Stranger Things, and now his latest thriller Sanctuary on Sundance Now, she’s been there every step of the way. Matthew reflects, "She’s the greatest partner and friend anyone could ever hope for. She’s not just my wife; she’s my confidant, my cheerleader, and my rock."

Keep scrolling to dive deeper into our exclusive Q&A with Matthew!

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Playing a Psychopath in Sanctuary: Was It as Fun as It Sounds?

Matthew’s character in Sanctuary, Dr. Fisher, is undeniably one of the most intriguing roles of his career. "It was absolutely exhilarating," he says. "Psychopaths don’t see themselves as such; they genuinely believe their actions are perfectly rational. The idea of playing a psychopath running a sanatorium full of other psychopaths was irresistible. It’s fascinating how often people in positions of immense power—like politicians or corporate leaders—lack empathy, much like a true psychopath would."

Which High-Profile Projects Had the Biggest Impact on Matthew's Career?

There’s no denying that Stranger Things was a game-changer for Matthew. "No question about it," he says. "While traveling the world promoting Full Metal Jacket was incredible, the global phenomenon that a successful Netflix show creates is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It introduced me to an entirely new generation of fans who are just as passionate about my work as the older ones."

Why Did Matthew Turn Down Blockbusters Like Top Gun?

Matthew’s decision to turn down Top Gun wasn’t made lightly. "I was on a trip to East Berlin where they took me to a monument honoring a million Russian soldiers who lost their lives fighting Nazis during World War II. I was shocked to learn that this wasn’t something I was taught in school. When I read the Top Gun script, I felt it perpetuated this oversimplified idea that Russia was evil and we needed to triumph over them. Life isn’t that black and white, so I felt the script was spreading misinformation."