Is Matthew Gray Gubler gay? No, the 45-year-old actor shut down those rumors with a 2011 tweet, confirming his romantic interest in women, backed by a colorful dating history. As of October 2025, the Criminal Minds star remains unmarried, with no wife or kids, but he’s reportedly dating Willow Avalon, a 26-year-old singer-songwriter. At 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighing 175 pounds (79 kg), Gubler’s net worth stands at $12 million, driven by a peak salary of $150,000 per episode as Dr. Spencer Reid. Beyond acting, his painting, directing, and bestselling books showcase a creative force redefining Hollywood stardom.
Early Life and Rise to Fame: From Las Vegas to Modeling Runways
Born on March 9, 1980, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Matthew Gray Gubler grew up in a vibrant family. His mother, Marilyn Kelch, was a trailblazing rancher and Nevada’s first female Republican Party chair, while his father, John Gubler, was an attorney. With siblings Laura (fashion designer) and Gray (musician), creativity ran deep. At the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, Gubler pivoted to acting when filmmaking classes weren’t offered. “I was the kid doing magic tricks at parties,” he once shared, hinting at his quirky charm. At NYU’s Tisch School, he studied directing but got scouted for modeling, walking for Tommy Hilfiger and Marc Jacobs, ranking No. 46 on models.com’s top male models. An internship with Wes Anderson led to his breakout as Nico in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), alongside Bill Murray. His self-made documentary, Matthew Gray Gubler’s Life Aquatic Intern Journal, showed his knack for storytelling at age 24. Learn more on his Wikipedia page.
Criminal Minds Legacy: Salary, Height, and Weight in the Spotlight
Gubler’s role as Dr. Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds (2005-2020) defined his career. Standing 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 175 pounds, his lanky frame amplified Reid’s genius-with-awkwardness vibe across all 325 episodes. He directed 12 episodes, including fan-favorites like “Mosley Lane.” His salary grew from $40,000 to $150,000 per episode, building the bulk of his $12 million net worth. “Reid was my mirror—curious, a bit lost,” Gubler said in 2020, reflecting on a 2009 knee injury (three surgeries) he wove into the show. Fans on X obsessed over his height and weight, noting how his slim build made Reid relatable. As a fan who binged during lockdown, I saw Gubler’s physicality—tall yet vulnerable—make Reid the BAU’s heart. His net worth thrives on residuals, per IMDb.
Dating History: Girlfriends, Rumors, and 2025 Romance
At 45, Gubler’s private but storied dating life quashes gay rumors, which he addressed in a 2011 tweet: “I’m only romantically interested in the ladies.” His romances include model Charlotte Kemp Muhl (2004, controversial for her age), Kat Dennings (2007, a fiery two-month fling), Marisa Morris (2008-2010), and Victoria Asher (2010-2011). A 2013 Taylor Swift rumor fizzled despite a July 4th party appearance. Recent years linked him to model Ali Michael and chef Rachel Bourlier. In 2025, he’s dating Willow Avalon, a 26-year-old artist, seen at London’s BST Hyde Park and NYC’s Carbone. “He’s all about real connections,” a Glamour 2012 quote notes, reflecting his low-key approach. Still unmarried, Gubler’s focus on depth over drama shines. Follow him on X @GUBLERNATION.
Beyond Acting: Art, Books, and 2025 Projects Fueling Net Worth
Gubler’s $12 million net worth spans acting, art, and writing. Since 2005, his watercolor and gouache paintings sold out in the Czech Republic, with one fetching $10,100 for charity in 2011. Featured in Juxtapoz, his art blends whimsy and edge. His books, Rumple Buttercup (2019) and The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand (2023), hit NYT bestseller lists, selling over 500,000 copies combined. Voice roles like Simon in Alvin and the Chipmunks add to his salary streams. In 2025, he reprised Reid in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 and stars in CBS’s Einstein (Fall 2026), playing Albert Einstein’s quirky great-grandson. “It’s Reid with a comedic twist,” he teased in Deadline. His art lives at matthewgraygubler.com.
Biography Table: Matthew Gray Gubler’s Life at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Gray Gubler |
| Date of Birth | March 9, 1980 (Age 45, October 2025) |
| Birthplace | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Family | Parents: John (attorney), Marilyn (rancher/politician); Siblings: Laura (designer), Gray (musician) |
| Education | Las Vegas Academy of the Arts; NYU Tisch (film directing) |
| Physical Stats | Height: 6’1” (185 cm); Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg) |
| Zodiac | Pisces |
| Early Career | Modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs; No. 46 on models.com |
| Breakout Role | Nico, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) |
| Major TV Role | Dr. Spencer Reid, Criminal Minds (2005-2020, 325 episodes) |
| Directing | 12 Criminal Minds episodes; Life Aquatic Intern Journal (2005) |
| Voice Work | Simon, Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007-2015); Riddler, Batman (2014) |
| Film Roles | RV (2006), (500) Days of Summer (2009), Horse Girl (2020) |
| Awards | Screamfest Best Actor (2014); People’s Choice via Criminal Minds (2017) |
| Art Career | Sold-out 2005 exhibit; $10,100 eBay sale (2011); Juxtapoz feature |
| Books | Rumple Buttercup (2019), The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand (2023) |
| Challenges | Knee injury (2009, three surgeries) |
| Unique Fact | Certified minister; officiated Paget Brewster’s wedding (2014) |
| Residences | Los Angeles, Las Vegas, NYC |
| Net Worth | $12 million; Peak Salary: $150,000/episode |
| 2025 Updates | Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3; Einstein (Fall 2026) |
| Social Media | @GUBLERNATION on X (1.75M followers) |
Unique Insights: Creativity and Privacy Define Gubler at 45
Gubler’s 45-year-old journey defies Hollywood norms. His “Reid-iculous” set parties on Criminal Minds—part improv, part therapy—built cast bonds that endure, per co-star Kirsten Vangsness. His books, selling 500,000+ copies, prove niche art pays, boosting his net worth without tabloid sellouts. His dating life, now with Willow Avalon, reflects a quest for “rare souls” (Glamour, 2012), navigating age-gap chatter with grace. Einstein promises a fresh spin: human eccentricity trumping AI in crime-solving, mirroring Gubler’s real-world pivot from model to auteur. Check Deadline.