Matt Fielding
| Matt Fielding | |||||||||||
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Doug Savant as Matt Fielding
(as seen in the opening credits of the pilot) |
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| Melrose Place character | |||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Doug Savant | ||||||||||
| Duration | 1992–97 (seasons 1-6) | ||||||||||
| First appearance | July 8, 1992 (episode 1.01: "Pilot") |
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| Last appearance | September 8, 1997 (episode 6.01: "A Brand New Day") |
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| Created by | Darren Star | ||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||
| Occupation | Social worker and physician | ||||||||||
| Residence |
San Francisco, California Formerly: 4616 Melrose Place, apt. 2 West Hollywood, California |
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| Parents | Matthew Fielding, Sr. (father) Constance Fielding (mother) |
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| Siblings | Luke Fielding (brother; deceased) |
| Spouse | Katya Petrova (ex-wife; green card marriage) |
| Children | Nikki Petrova (stepdaughter, via Katya) |
| Nieces and nephews | Chelsea Fielding (niece, via Luke; legal ward) |
Matthew "Matt" Fielding, Jr. is a fictional character in the American television series Melrose Place, portrayed by Doug Savant. Matt was an openly gay man working as a social worker in Los Angeles. Initially Matt was not the focus of ongoing storylines, a situation that would not substantially change until the series became a serial drama in its second season. Matt Fielding appeared as a regular character from 1992 until 1997, when he was killed off-screen in a car crash.
In contrast to the promiscuous sexual behaviour and relationship issues that drove the stories for Melrose's straight characters, Matt's storylines tended to be about subjects like gay bashing and workplace discrimination. Matt occasionally became romantically involved with another man but the character was never shown in any sexual situations. The one planned instance of Matt's kissing another man was edited to remove the kiss, with a reaction shot of another character substituted. Broadcaster Fox and series creator Darren Star feared backlash from social conservatives and advertisers should Matt engage in any sexual conduct. Critics questioned this decision throughout Matt's tenure on the series.
Although Matt was killed, Savant expressed interest in returning for the 2009 series revival but producers were not interested.
Matt Fielding is a social worker at the L.A. Halfway House for Teens, one of a group of friends who live together in the same West Hollywood apartment complex. Shortly after being gay bashed by three people, Matt is fired from his job at the halfway house for being gay. He sues the center and accepts a $10,000 settlement, which he donates to a gay legal defense fund.
Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro) helps Matt get a job as a social worker at Wilshire Memorial Hospital, a favor he makes Matt repay by faking the results of Michael's blood alcohol level test in the wake of Michael's automobile accident in which Kimberly Shaw (Marcia Cross) is critically injured and presumed dead. While working at Wilshire Memorial Matt meets Katya Petrova (Beata Pozniak), a Russian doctor who expresses a romantic interest in him. Matt does not reciprocate her feelings but they enter into a green card marriage so that Katya and her daughter Nikki (Mara Wilson) can stay in the United States. Katya and her daughter return to Russia anyway a few months later.
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Wikipedia