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Ben Matlock

Benjamin Leighton Matlock is a fictional character from the television series, Matlock, played by Andy Griffith. Matlock is a renowned, folksy yet cantankerous defense attorney who is worth every penny of his $100,000 fee. Known for visiting the scene of the crime to discover clues otherwise overlooked and his down-home style of coming up with viable, alternative theories of the crime in question (usually murder) while sitting in his office playing the banjo ukulele or polishing his shoes. Matlock also had conspicuously finicky fashion sense, and an insatiable appetite for hot dogs. Despite his high fees and apparent wealth, he is something of a cheapskate. Andy Griffith initially did not like the character due to his vanity and cheapness.[1] Matlock is reported to be based on Georgia defense attorney Bobby Lee Cook.[2] Steve Witting played a young Matlock in two episodes, with Griffith playing his father.

Ben Matlock

Diary of a Perfect Murder

Murder Two from Diagnosis: Murder

Defense attorney

Defense attorney

Charlie Matlock

(deceased)

Charlene Matlock
Leanne MacIntyre

Laura Miller (goddaughter)

Family[edit]

Ben Matlock is a widower who had two daughters, Charlene and Leanne, who both became lawyers in their own right and who both worked alongside their father at one point or another. His father, Charlie Matlock, was an auto repairman in Ben's hometown.


He also had a goddaughter, Laura Miller (portrayed by Laura Robbins), whom he had not seen for the last 11 years since her mother's funeral. She worked at a clothing store at an Atlanta mall (The Godfather).


Ben also has a nephew Erwin Bruckner, who, in the episode The Genius, was accused of murdering his boss.

by Anne Murray in The Starlet, accompanied on banjo. Ben also sings "yes sir that's my baby" by Bing Crosby. Ben Matlock sings "going down the road feeling bad" with Randy Travis. Ben Matlock is a fluent player of the Country guitar, ukulele and steel guitar and also the banjo.

My Buddy

List of characters in Matlock

The Unofficial Matlock Website