Matthew Bissonnette Biography: Children, Age, Partner, Net Worth, Films, Career, Writing, Ethnicity

Benedict Matthew Bissonnette, known professionally as Matt Bissonnette, is a Canadian film director and writer known for introspective, character-driven stories exploring family, identity, and cultural icons like Leonard Cohen.

He first gained attention co-directing Looking for Leonard (2002) with childhood friend Steven Clark, followed by solo features Who Loves the Sun (2006), Passenger Side (2009), and Death of a Ladies’ Man (2020), which screened at festivals such as Sundance and TIFF.

Profile

• Full Name: Benedict Matthew Bissonnette
• Stage Name: Matt Bissonnette
• Born: 2, November 1965
• Age: 59 years old
• Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian
• Occupation: Film Director, Writer, Producer
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Joel Bissonnette
• Spouse: Molly Parker (m. 2002–2016)
• Girlfriend: Rebecca Addelman
• Children: William Strummer Bissonnette, Hannah Beth Bissonnette
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Benedict Matthew Bissonnette was born on November 2, 1965, in Montreal, Quebec, and grew up in a creative household with his brother, actor Joel Bissonnette.

He developed an early passion for film and literature, later studying English and Film at Concordia University, followed by law at Queen’s University.

After passing the Ontario bar, he left legal practice just two weeks later to pursue filmmaking full-time.

His Canadian and French-Quebec heritage influences his work, though he keeps his personal life private.

Career

Benedict Matthew Bissonnette dove into filmmaking with his co-direction and co-writing of Looking for Leonard in 2002, a quirky Montreal-set comedy-drama about obsession and escape that he crafted alongside childhood friend Steven Clark, drawing on their shared experiences for its authentic vibe.

The film’s festival run, including spots at TIFF and Rotterdam, marked his entry into indie cinema, where he explored themes of longing through Leonard Cohen-inspired motifs, earning praise for its low-key charm and tight ensemble.

This collaboration honed his skills in blending humor with emotional undercurrents, setting the tone for his solo ventures.

Bissonnette struck out on his own with Who Loves the Sun in 2006, a Sundance premiere about fractured friendships and self-reckoning in the Ontario wilderness, starring his then-wife Molly Parker and Lucas Bryant, which showcased his eye for natural light and intimate dialogue.

He followed with Passenger Side in 2009, a road-trip dramedy featuring his brother Joel as a troubled sibling opposite Adam Scott, that captured sibling rivalry with raw specificity—filmed almost entirely in a beat-up Volvo—and premiered at LAFF, reinforcing his reputation for personal, Cohen-infused soundtracks.

His 2008 novel Smash Your Head on the Punk Rock added a literary layer to his output, reflecting his punk-edged take on youth and regret.

Bissonnette sustains his craft through selective features like Death of a Ladies’ Man (2020), a poignant Gabriel Byrne-led exploration of aging and loss that bowed at Fantasia and earned awards nods for its wry tenderness, while directing commercials keeps his visual style sharp.

His influence ripples in Canadian indie circles, where his economical approach to character arcs inspires filmmakers tackling everyday absurdities.

Through festival circuits and quiet advocacy for emerging talent, he leaves a mark on cinema that values subtlety over spectacle, with his Cohen motifs enduring as a signature thread.

Social Media

• Benedict Matthew Bissonnette does not have a verified social media account.

Personal Life

Benedict Matthew Bissonnette married actress Molly Parker on January 21, 2002, and they welcomed son William Strummer Bissonnette on October 13, 2006, before parting ways amicably in 2016 amid shared custody.

He later partnered with writer Rebecca Addelman, with whom he shares daughter Hannah Beth Bissonnette.

Bissonnette divides time between Los Angeles and Montreal, embracing a low-profile routine of scriptwriting, family outings, and hockey games that nod to his Quebec upbringing.

Filmography

• Looking for Leonard (2002)
• Who Loves the Sun (2006)
• Passenger Side (2009)
• Death of a Ladies’ Man (2020)

Net Worth

Benedict Matthew Bissonnette holds an estimated net worth of $1 million.

He garners this from directing indie features like Passenger Side and Death of a Ladies’ Man, which secured festival deals and limited releases, alongside steady income from commercial directing and his novel’s modest sales.