Matt Lapinskas
{{Short description|English actor (b. 1989)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Matt Lapinskas
| birth_name = Matthew William Lapinskas
| other names = Matt Lapinskas
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1989|2|27}}
| birth_place = Surrey, England
| occupation = Actor
| alma_mater = Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
| years_active = 2007–present
| notable_works = EastEnders
Dancing on Ice
Hollyoaks
| children =
| parents =
| relatives =
}}
Matthew William Lapinskas (born 27 February 1989) is an English actor, known for portraying the role of Anthony Moon in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2011 to 2012. He was a contestant in the eighth series of Dancing on Ice, finishing as the runner-up with skating partner Brianne Delcourt.
Early life
Lapinskas was born in 1989 in Surrey and is of Canadian and Lithuanian origin from his father's side.{{cite news|url=http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/topstories/9040009.Eastenders_fame_beckons_for_student/|title=Eastenders fame beckons for former Brooklands student|last=Portlock|first=Jonathan|date=20 May 2011|work=Surrey Comet|publisher=Newsquest|accessdate=20 May 2011}} He studied for a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Brooklands College, and became a member of their theatre company, where he won a number of accolades for his performance in The Opposite of People.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmbridgetoday.co.uk/Community/Brooklands-College-student-Eastenders-0000000235.aspx |title=Former Brooklands student joins Eastenders cast |date=19 May 2011 |work=Elmbridge Today |accessdate=20 May 2011 |location=Elmbridge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324082104/http://www.elmbridgetoday.co.uk/Community/Brooklands-College-student-Eastenders-0000000235.aspx |archive-date=24 March 2012 }} He then went on to study at Italia Conti in London from 2007 to 2010, where he graduated with a BA (Hons) in Acting.{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/dancing-on-ice-2013-matt-lapinskas/amp/|title=Dancing on Ice 2013: Matt Lapinskas|work=Radio Times|access-date=17 February 2021}}
Career
Lapinskas played a student in the 2007 Stephen Surjik film I Want Candy,{{cite web|url=http://www.globalartists.co.uk/pages/actor.php?content_id=400|title=Matt Lapinskas|publisher=Global Artists|accessdate=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918021519/http://www.globalartists.co.uk/pages/actor.php?content_id=400|archive-date=18 September 2011|url-status=dead}} and in 2011, he was cast in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, playing Anthony Moon. Of his casting, he said "I'm absolutely over the moon! It's been my lifetime ambition to be on EastEnders — I have watched it growing up with my nan, who is a big fan. I'm so pleased to get my first TV role, I just didn't believe it would be so big. I've met some of the cast I will be working with who were very friendly and welcoming and I can't wait to start filming".{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a318629/eastenders-reveals-new-moon-arrivals.html|title='EastEnders' reveals new Moon arrivals|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=10 May 2011|work=Digital Spy|accessdate=20 May 2011}} Lapinskas stated that he was "nervous" about debuting, but as he had shot an episode of EastEnders{{'}} spin-off EastEnders: E20 before appearing in the main show, he felt it helped him to feel more comfortable.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a330833/matt-lapinskas-i-was-nervous-over-eastenders-debut.html|title=Matt Lapinskas: 'I was nervous over EastEnders debut'|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=20 June 2011|work=Digital Spy|accessdate=30 December 2012}}
On 9 May 2012, Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported Lapinskas would be leaving EastEnders, and his character would depart on screen in the coming weeks.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a380839/eastenders-exit-for-anthony-moon-confirmed.html|title='EastEnders' exit for Anthony Moon confirmed|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=9 May 2012|work=Digital Spy|accessdate=9 May 2012}} Of his exit, Lapinskas said "I'm having a fantastic time working on EastEnders and playing the role of Anthony Moon. Working with David Essex, Tony Discipline and the EastEnders cast has been an absolute pleasure. Although I will really miss EastEnders and everyone involved, I am very excited about future projects and what is next for me as an actor." In an interview with Inside Soap, Lapinskas said that EastEnders was his first job outside of drama school and added that he has learnt a lot from the people he worked with.{{cite journal|last=Jones|first=Allison|title=I've loved EastEnders – I'm disappointed Anthony's leaving!|journal=Inside Soap|date=25–31 August 2012|issue=34|pages=98}} He also added "I was quite disappointed when I found out Anthony would be leaving—I'd have liked to do a lot more stuff with him. It's a shame to not be a part of what's coming up."
In December 2012, he was revealed as one of 12 celebrities taking part in the eighth series of Dancing on Ice.{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/20762590|title=Dancing on Ice 2013 celebrity line-up revealed|date=18 December 2012|work=Newsbeat|publisher=BBC|accessdate=18 December 2012}} Lapinskas was Dancing on Ice (Series 8) runner-up to Olympic bronze medalist Beth Tweddle. He then took part in the Dancing on Ice UK tour. Since the show, Lapinskas has played Prince Charming in pantomime productions in Bromley, Sunderland and Bournemouth. He also toured the country with Bill Kenwright's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat playing 'Pharaoh'. It was during this time that he met his current girlfriend Camilla Rowland.
Lapinskas has since moved onto stage roles as Messalla in the production of Ben Hur opposite Miles Yekinni as Ben Hur at The Hexagon theatre in Reading, Tony Manero in the production of Staying Alive in Jersey (both in 2017) and completed a film role in Red Devil shot in London in February 2018.
In April 2018, Lapinskas starred as a young Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Modern Day Prometheus at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter.
On 30 August 2022, Lapinskas first appeared as Villainor/Karl in Ian Hallard's comedy Horse-Play, which opened at the Riverside Studios in London and was due to run until 24 September 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.westendbestfriend.co.uk/news/interview-matt-lapinskas-on-horse-play-at-riverside-studios|title=Interview: Matt Lapinskas on HORSE-PLAY at Riverside Studios|date=26 August 2022|publisher=West End Best Friend|accessdate=2 September 2022}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable unsortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2007
| Student | Film; minor role |
| 2011–2012
| Regular role; 102 episodes |
| 2011
| 1 episode |
| 2013
|Contestant | Partnered with Brianne Delcourt |
| 2018
| Dead Ringer | Detective Burbank | Film |
| 2019
| The Seven | Michael | Film |
| 2022
| Guest role |
References
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Category:Male actors from Surrey
Category:Alumni of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
Category:English male soap opera actors
Category:English people of Lithuanian descent