Matt Hobby
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Matt Hobby is an American actor and comedian, known for his portrayals of Pastor Jeff Difford in Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Philip in the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, Rudy Truitt in Hart of Dixie and Pat Landy in The Grinder.
Career
Matt Hobby began his acting career in 2008 when he played a character in the direct-to-DVD film The Cult of Sincerity.
He has appeared in television series such as Mom, Don't Trust the B**** in Apartment 23, Onion SportsDome and Fresh Off the Boat. He appeared as Rudy Truitt in the drama series Hart of Dixie for ten episodes. He also played Philip, a servant (later butler) of the Thompson House, in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.[citation needed]
Hobby played the role of Pastor Jeff Difford, a pastor of the church in the CBS television series Young Sheldon from 2017 to 2024. For the first two seasons, he was a recurring character, but he was promoted to the main cast starting with the third season. Hobby's real life wife, Mary Grill, portrays his character's new wife in the show.
In 2022, Matt started a podcast, Pay or Request, co-hosted with writer and comedian Joe Schiappa.[citation needed]
Personal life
Hobby is married to actress Mary Grill. The couple have twin sons.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Cult of Sincerity | Bo | Direct-to-video |
| 2011 | DEC. 26 | Elf | Short film |
| 2013 | Big City, Bright Lights | ||
| Breakup at a Wedding | Alison's Male Best Friend | ||
| 2016 | Spaghettiman | Pot Doctor | |
| 2018 | One Way Wolf Blitzer Freaky Friday | Isaac | Short film |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Diamonds Wow! | Mark Zuckerberg | Episode: "Zuckerberg's Facebook Apology" |
| 2012 | Boardwalk Empire | Thompson House Servant Philip | 5 episodes |
| 2013 | Don't Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 | Host | Episode: "Dating Games" |
| 2013–2015 | Hart of Dixie | Rudy Truitt | 10 episodes |
| 2015 | Highly Evolved Human | Doctor | Unknown episodes |
| Mom | Chip | Episode: "Dropped Soap and a Big Guy on a Throne" | |
| 2015–2016 | The Grinder | Pat Landy | 5 episodes |
| 2015 | The Genderton Project | Television movie | |
| Skits-O-Frenic | Climber | Episode: "What the Duck?" | |
| 2017–2024 | Young Sheldon | Pastor Jeff Difford | Recurring (Seasons 1–2); main role (Seasons 3–7) 45 episodes |
| 2018 | The Emperor's Newest Clothes | Tailor (voice) | Television short film |
| 2019 | Fresh Off the Boat | Kurt | Episode: "Cupid's Crossbow" |
| Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell | Carl Dugan | Episode: "Five-Card Duds" | |
| 2025 | Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage | Pastor Jeff Difford | 5 episodes |