Matthew Von Der Ahe

How did playing Craig in Champions shape your confidence as an actor and influence the kinds of roles you now want to pursue in Hollywood?

Let me start by saying auditioning can be tough. You put so much into each one and you don’t always get cast that can be discouraging. Champions was especially intense because it was a nationwide search so many talented people were auditioning. Some I knew, many I didn’t.  At one point I even thought, maybe I’m not as good as everyone else, maybe I shouldn’t even try that hard.” But I worked with an acting coach who truly believed in me. She reminded me that you never know what casting is looking for and that I might be exactly it.  She told me the only thing I could control was showing up prepared, working hard and trusting myself. As you know I ended up being cast as the funny, bold, slightly spicy character, Craig.  It was the first time I got to play someone with that kind of personality, and I loved it. That experience gave me real confidence. I worked alongside other actors with disabilities, which meant a lot to me. And I shared the screen with professionals like Woody Harrelson and Kaitlin Olson, who inspired me with their focus and their kindness. After Champions, I wanted to stretch myself even more. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to Co- lead in Wish Watch and star in One Perfect Date, with my good friend, Madison Tevlin. I would love to become a series regular on a show. I’m especially interested in working on networks that don’t typically feature actors with intellectual disabilities not because I want the story to center on disability but because I want someone like me to simply be woven into the story. To be a character you see every week. To be part of the fabric of the story.  If seeing me on screen helps intellectual disability feel relatable, not rare, not highlighted, just part of everyday life, then that’s exactly the kind of work I want to do.

You have moved fluidly between film, television, voice work, and commercials; what have these different formats taught you about your own range and strengths as an artist?

Each format challenges me in a different way. Film gives you space to really develop a character’s emotional journey. Television moves faster and teaches you how to stay sharp and adaptable. Commercials push you to connect quickly and bring energy in just a few seconds. Voice work forces you to communicate emotion using only your voice. No facial expressions. No physical movement. Through all of it, I’ve proven to myself that I can adjust and grow in different environments. I’ve realized that my biggest strength is often authenticity. When I understand my character’s heart and motivation I can step into any format and make it feel honest and real.

You not only starred in The Odd Taste but also co-wrote it; what does writing give you that acting alone does not, and how do you approach storytelling from the inside?

Writing gives me ownership. It allows me to create the world from the ground up. I love coming up with scripts, songs and story ideas. My mom recently told me she believes I have a real gift for writing and that meant a lot.  It encouraged me to keep pursuing my goal of one day being a contributing writer on a series. I also work with a script writing coach and together we’ve created work that feels meaningful and personal, including The Odd Taste. When I write, I draw from my own experiences, friendship, inclusion, belonging, and purpose. I think about how a character moves, speaks, and feels because I’m also an actor. I approach storytelling from the inside out. I don’t just think about plot. I think about emotional truth. Writing allows me to tell stories that feel honest and relatable. Stories that reflect my heart.

With Wish Watch and One Perfect Date on the way, what excites you most about these upcoming characters, and how are they different from roles audiences have already seen you play?

Every character I play teaches me something new. When I played Ren, he dreamed of becoming a police officer. I loved that Found gave him big goals. They showed his challenges, but they also highlighted his determination and work ethic. In Wish Watch,  Charlie has a deep and meaningful friendship with someone who is neurotypical. I love what that represents-connection without labels. In One Perfect Date the character I play shows that people like me can, and do, live lives filled with purpose, love, independence, and ambition. I believe characters build on each other. Each role adds another layer to me, not just as an actor, but as a person. What excites me most is growth. These characters feel more grounded, more independent and more emotionally developed. Audiences will see new dimensions of who I am and what I can do.

You have shared the screen with actors like Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson, and Marcia Gay Harden; what have you learned from working alongside such established performers?

Working alongside actors like Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson and Mary Louise Parker, to name a few, has taught me what true professionalism looks like. They show up prepared. They know their lines and they respect everyone on set from the director to the crew. That made a big impression on me. I realized that being a strong actor isn’t just about talent. It’s about work ethic, focus and how you treat people. I also learned the importance of listening. Acting isn’t just about delivering your lines,  it’s about being fully present. When you really listen and respond honestly in the moment, that’s when a scene feels real. Watching them trust the process helps me trust myself more.

Voice acting in projects like Familia and Tytgat Chocolat reaches audiences in a completely different way; what draws you to voice work, and how do you connect emotionally when you are not seen on screen?

Voice work challenges me in a new way. When you’re on camera, you can use facial expressions and movement. With voice acting, your voice carries everything- emotion, intention, personality. That requires a different level of focus. I think about breath rhythm, tone and pacing. It’s almost like music. I picture the scene in my head and imagine exactly what my character is feeling. When I connect to that emotion fully the audience can feel it too, even without seeing me. I love that voice work allows stories to reach people in a different format. It stretches me as an artist.

Being the first person with Down syndrome selected for Google’s GRID program is historic; what responsibility do you feel comes with that recognition, both creatively and personally?

Being selected for Google’s grid program is something I take seriously. It’s an honor. But it also comes with responsibility. I know that when I step into spaces like that, I’m not just representing myself, I’m representing a community that hasn’t always been included at the table. Creatively, it motivates me to keep raising the bar and proving what’s possible. Personally, it reminds me to stay grounded, grateful and committed to growth. If my presence in those spaces helps shift personal expectations even a little, then that matters.

Advocacy is clearly central to your life through Easter Seals, Best Buddies, and Hearts of Joy; how do you balance being an artist with being a public voice for inclusion?

For me, the two aren’t separate. My work as an actor is part of my advocacy. When audiences see me performing, acting, dancing, writing, they’re seeing inclusion in action. Not as a speech. Not as a campaign.  But as a lived experience. I care deeply about representation, but I also care about the craft. I want to earn roles because I’m prepared and capable. At the same time, I understand that visibility creates impact. I try to balance both, by focusing on excellence. If I continue to grow as an artist, the advocacy naturally follows.

You are also a dancer, drummer, gym enthusiast, and writer; how do these creative and physical outlets feed back into your acting and mindset?

All of those outlets shape who I am as a performer.  Dance builds confidence and body awareness. Drumming strengthens rhythm and timing which absolutely helps with comedic beats and dialogue pacing. The gym builds discipline, stamina and mental toughness. Writing strengthens imagination and emotional insight. Acting demands both physical and emotional endurance. These activities keep me sharp, focused and grounded.  They also remind me that growth is ongoing. You don’t just arrive. You keep training. Keep learning. Keep refining. That mindset carries into every role I take on.

When you look ahead, what kind of impact do you hope your career will have on the industry and on young people who may be seeing themselves represented for the first time?

I hope my career contributes to a shift in perspective. I want young people, especially those with disabilities, to turn on the TV or watch a film and see someone like them living a full layered life. Not as a lesson. Not as the exception.  Just as part of the story. Representation matters because it shapes what feels possible. When something feels relatable, it feels reachable. If my work helps casting directors think more expansively, helps writers imagine more inclusively, and helps families feel seen, then I’ve done something meaningful. I want to build a career that expands opportunity, deepens understanding, and creates lasting impact.