Matt Clark is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera
The Young and the Restless. The role was originated by Eddie Cibrian
in May 1994, who left the show in 1996. After Russell Lawrence briefly
playing the character in 2000, Rick Hearst took over the role that
year, departing in 2001 after the character was killed off. Hearst
returned for several appearances as an apparition. Matt was known as
an antagonistic villain who created problems for Nick and Sharon
Newman, beginning when they were teens in high school. He raped both
Sharon Collins and Amy Wilson, and framed Nicholas Newman for multiple
crimes.Eddie Cibrian was hired to portray recurring character Matt
Clark in May 1994. In October of that year, he signed a three-year
contract with the series. Cibrian said that he believed the writers
"were going to turn the story into something bigger" and wanted to
keep it going. The character exited in 1996 after nearly three years.
Russell Lawrence became the next actor in the role, portraying Matt in
2000. However, he was replaced a few months later with Rick Hearst who
debuted in October 2000. Hearst was familiar with the soap opera
genre, having played Alan-Michael Spaulding on Guiding Light for
several years prior. TimesDaily wrote: "Expect the storyline of the
vengeful Matt to be stepped up with Hearst in the role".Eddie Cibrian
was hired to portray recurring character Matt Clark in May 1994. In
October of that year, he signed a three-year contract with the series.
Cibrian said that he believed the writers "were going to turn the
story into something bigger" and wanted to keep it going. The
character exited in 1996 after nearly three years. Russell Lawrence
became the next actor in the role, portraying Matt in 2000. However,
he was replaced a few months later with Rick Hearst who debuted in
October 2000. Hearst was familiar with the soap opera genre, having
played Alan-Michael Spaulding on Guiding Light for several years
prior. TimesDaily wrote: "Expect the storyline of the vengeful Matt to
be stepped up with Hearst in the role".In April 2001, it was announced
that Hearst would exit, and the character died onscreen the following
month. However, due to Hearst's popularity with viewers, the actor
returned for several recurring guest appearances beginning July 2001
as a vision being seen by the insane Tricia Dennison after his
character's death. Speaking on his exit and appearances afterward,
Hearst said: "I look at every opportunity as a gift. When I was let go
(...) and was brought back as a freaking apparition for six months, I
looked at it as, they called me for work this week."Matt has been
characterized by Soaps In Depth as the show's previous "bad boy", and
a "cocky jock-turned rapist" by Star-News. Cibrian called him
"horrific", stating: "I've never encountered anybody like him in my
life. Nor would I ever want to." The character started out as a
"regular guy" on the show, but after Cibrian became a regular cast
member, he began doing "awful things" and became "the bad guy",
beginning with raping Sharon Collins (Sharon Case). Cibrian found the
role challenging and said: "Unfortunately there are people in the
world like Matt. That’s why they put this in the script, so people
could be aware." Matt Clark (The Young and the Restless) Top Movies & Young Movies