Heather Matarazzo in Scream: Her Role as Martha Meeks

Martha Meeks appeared only twice across two decades, yet she connects the original Scream trilogy to the new generation of Woodsboro characters. Heather Matarazzo’s portrayal of Randy Meeks’ younger sister bridges the franchise: first in 2000, then in 2022.

Number of Scream films: 2
Breakout role: Lilly Moscovitz in The Princess Diaries (2001)
Ethnicity: Irish-American
Years active: 1993–present

Five key details about Heather Matarazzo, one pattern: her career spans both indie classics and blockbuster franchises.

Heather Matarazzo’s filmography timeline shows two distinct eras of Scream involvement.

Is Heather Matarazzo in Scream?

Yes, Heather Matarazzo appears in the Scream franchise. She plays Martha Meeks in Scream 3 (2000) and later reprises the role in Scream (2022). Her character is the sister of the late Randy Meeks, a fan-favorite from the original trilogy. Matarazzo, an Irish-American actress, brought Martha to life in two distinct eras of the franchise.

The implication: Martha’s limited screen time amplifies her impact. She appears only twice, yet she connects the original trilogy to the new generation of Woodsboro characters.

How is Martha Meeks related to Scream?

Who is Martha Meeks?

• Martha Meeks is the younger sister of Randy Meeks (played by Jamie Kennedy), the film buff who memorably outlined the rules of surviving a horror movie.
• She first appears in Scream 3 where she confronts the killer at the Meeks family home.
• By Scream (2022), Martha is a mother of twins Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin, who become central characters in the new storyline.

The pattern: Martha serves as a living link to Randy’s legacy. Her children carry forward the Meeks name and the meta-horror wit that defined the original films.

Who plays Randy’s sister in Scream 3?

Who is the killer in Scream 3?

• Heather Matarazzo plays Randy’s sister Martha in Scream 3.
• In Scream 3, the killer is Roman Bridger, played by Scott Foley. Foley has said in interviews that he learned he was the killer during a table read, adding a layer of surprise to the role.
• Matarazzo returned for Scream (2022), making her one of the few actors to appear in both the original trilogy and the reboot era.

What this means: the casting of Matarazzo as Martha Meeks creates continuity across two decades of the franchise. Her presence in the 2022 film signals that the Meeks family story is far from over.

What was Heather Matarazzo’s breakout role?

What other notable roles has Heather Matarazzo had?

• Her breakout role is Lilly Moscovitz in The Princess Diaries (2001), the best friend of Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway).
• She gained critical acclaim for her lead role in Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995), a dark comedy about adolescence.
• She has also appeared in The L Word as Stacy Merkin and in The Grinch (2000) as a Whoville resident.

The trade-off: while The Princess Diaries made her a household name for a generation, her Scream role gives her enduring cult status among horror fans.

What is Heather Matarazzo’s ethnicity?

Does Heather Matarazzo have children?

• Heather Matarazzo is Irish-American.
• She does not have children.
• She is not related to Gaten Matarazzo (the Stranger Things actor), despite the shared surname.
• She remains close friends with Anne Hathaway, her co-star from The Princess Diaries, as noted in IMDb trivia.

Are Heather and Gaten Matarazzo related?

• No, they are not related. The surname is coincidental.

Is Anne Hathaway still friends with Heather Matarazzo?

• Yes, the two have maintained a friendship since working together on The Princess Diaries.

The catch: despite the fame of her co-stars, Matarazzo has kept a relatively low profile, focusing on selective roles and personal life away from the Hollywood spotlight.

“I found out I was the killer during the table read. It was a huge surprise.”

— Scott Foley, recalling his role in Scream 3 (Hello Sidney)

“Heather shared behind-the-scenes stories and Wes Craven tributes during the CBS watch party.”

— Heather Matarazzo, via CBS watch party (Hello Sidney)

For fans of the franchise, the decision to include Martha Meeks in future installments could determine whether the legacy of Randy Meeks continues to shape the story. Without a confirmed appearance in Scream 7, the bridge between the original trilogy and the new era remains open but uncertain.

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Related reading: Cast of Scream 2 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer Cast: Main Characters and Where They Are