TV shows
Over the years, Matthew Fox has built a diverse and memorable television career. Below is a guide to the series he has appeared in, highlighting key details about each project, his roles, and their relevance in his trajectory.
Wings
Year: 1992
Role: Ty Warner
Episode: Season 3, Episode 21 – "Say It Ain't So, Joe"
Air date: April 30, 1992
About: In this episode, Joe is disheartened to learn that his beloved high school baseball record is about to be broken. Fox appears as Ty Warner, the talented young athlete threatening to take the title.
Why it matters: This was Matthew Fox's first-ever appearance on television, officially launching his acting career.
Freshman Dorm
Year: 1992
Role: Danny Foley
Episodes: 5
About: A short-lived CBS drama centered on college students navigating their first year at a fictional university. Fox played one of the three central characters, showing early potential in a lead television role.
CBS Schoolbreak Special
Year: 1993
Role: Charlie Deevers
Episode: Season 11, Episode 2 – "If I die before I wake"
Air date: October 26, 1993
About: A dramatic educational episode that explores a teenager's spiritual crisis and emotional journey. Fox plays Charlie, a student grappling with faith, fear, and family expectations.
Why it matters: A key early dramatic role that demonstrated Fox's ability to handle emotionally complex characters.
Party of Five
Role: Charlie Salinger
Episodes: 142
About: Fox played the eldest sibling of five orphaned children. The show gained critical acclaim and launched multiple careers, including those of Neve Campbell and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Fox's role as Charlie was his breakout role, establishing him as a leading man on television.
Haunted
Role: Frank Taylor
Episodes: 11
About: A short-lived supernatural thriller. Fox portrayed a former police officer who gains the ability to see the dead after a near-death experience. The series was dark, atmospheric, and showcased Fox's dramatic range.
Lost
Role: Dr. Jack Shephard
Episodes: 121
About: A global phenomenon and one of the most influential shows of the 2000s. Fox played the moral and emotional center of the ensemble. His performance earned him critical acclaim, a Golden Globe nomination, a Satellite Award, and two Primetime Emmy nominations.
Why it matters: Lost made Matthew Fox an international star and solidified his status as one of television's most compelling dramatic actors.
Saturday Night Live (SNL)
Role: Host
Episode: Season 32, Episode 7
Air date: December 2, 2006
Musical guest: Tenacious D
About: Fox hosted SNL during Lost's peak. He participated in sketches, showing a rare comedic side and self-awareness.
Last Light
Role: Andy Yeats
Episodes: 5 (Limited Series)
Platform: Peacock
About: A suspense drama where Fox plays a petrochemical expert trying to prevent a global catastrophe while protecting his family. It marked his return to television and his first time as executive producer.
C*A*U*G*H*T
Role: Lieutenant Pete
Episodes: 6
Platform: Stan (Australia)
About: A satirical hostage comedy where four soldiers go rogue after being mistaken for American spies. Fox plays a fictional version of himself in his first comedy role.
The Maddison (upcoming)
Expected: 2025
Role: Paul
Episodes: 6
About: A Yellowstone-universe spin-off starring Fox as Paul, a self-reliant outdoorsman dealing with grief and solitude in Montana. Co-starring Michelle Pfeiffer. A dramatic return to emotionally rich storytelling.