Matt William Knowles is an American actor known for his work in both Hollywood and Chinese cinema. He was born and raised in South Carolina, where he grew up playing football until an injury changed his path. In search of purpose, he moved to a remote part of China to do humanitarian work, teaching and volunteering in underprivileged communities. While living there, he was unexpectedly discovered at a karaoke bar, leading to his first roles in the Chinese film industry.