Let's just be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time on the corner of the internet dedicated to Matthew Gray Gubler, you’ve probably seen the rumors. You know the ones. A blurry photo here, a "source" there, and suddenly everyone is convinced that the former Criminal Minds star has been hiding a secret child. It’s one of those Hollywood mysteries that refuses to die, like a plot twist right out of a BAU briefing.
But honestly? Most people are looking at this all wrong.
The truth is, Matthew Gray Gubler doesn't have a son. Not a secret one, not a public one, not a biological one. As of right now, in early 2026, the man is not a father.
So, where did this whole "Matthew Gray Gubler son" obsession start? Why does it keep popping up on your Discover feed every few months? It’s a mix of accidental family resemblance, some very clever Criminal Minds cameos, and the fact that Matthew is, well, Matthew. He’s the guy who writes whimsical children’s books and wears mismatched socks for luck—the internet desperately wants him to have a mini-me to pass that quirkiness down to.
The Case of the "Secret" Brother
The biggest reason people get confused is actually sitting right in front of them, usually on Matthew’s own Instagram. Meet Gray Gubler.
If you see the name "Gray Gubler" on a movie credit or tagged in a photo, it’s easy to assume he’s Matthew’s kid. Especially since Matthew’s middle name is Gray. It fits perfectly, right? Except Gray Gubler is actually Matthew’s brother.
The family tree is a bit of a tangle if you aren't paying attention. Matthew’s father, John Gray Gubler, has a son from another marriage—also named John, but he goes by Gray. They look strikingly similar in that "tall, lanky, artistic" way the Gubler genes seem to mandate. Gray often works behind the scenes on Matthew’s projects, like his book tours or the Gublerween specials. When fans see Matthew hanging out with a younger, look-alike "Gray," the logic jump to "that’s his son" is almost instantaneous.
It's a classic case of mistaken identity that has fueled years of Reddit threads.
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That Sneaky Criminal Minds Cameo
If the brother-son confusion wasn't enough, Matthew himself didn't help matters with his directorial choices on Criminal Minds. He’s known for directing the weirdest, most unsettling episodes—think "Mosley Lane" or "Mr. Scratch." But he also likes to slip his real life into the show.
In the episode "Elliott’s Pond," there’s a photograph used as a prop. That photo is actually of Matthew’s father, John Gubler. Matthew has often joked about his "dad" being on the show, and in a fandom as dedicated as this one, the word "dad" gets picked up and twisted. Fans started searching for "Gubler’s son" because they saw him talking about his own father, and the search algorithms did the rest of the work, blending the generations until the internet convinced itself there was a toddler running around a treehouse in the Hollywood Hills.
The "Uncle MGG" Energy
Let’s talk about why the rumor sticks. Matthew Gray Gubler has massive "cool uncle" energy.
He’s deeply involved with his sister Laura Dahl’s family. You’ll often see him posting about his nephew, Hunter. In fact, Laura and her husband Timothy Dahl run a site called BuiltByKids, and Matthew is a frequent guest star. He’s seen building forts, doing magic tricks, and generally being the kind of adult every kid wishes they had in their life.
When those photos of Matthew and Hunter circulate, people who aren't "in the know" assume he's the father. It doesn't help that Matthew has been vocal about his love for kids. In a 2019 interview and during his Rumple Buttercup book tour, he’s mentioned how much he enjoys the imagination of children.
"I want to make books that hug readers' hearts and eyeballs," he once told The US Book Show.
That kind of sincerity makes people want to see him in a fatherhood role. There’s a viral comment on one of his YouTube videos that basically says, "It’s a crime this man doesn’t have kids yet." The internet has effectively "manifested" a son for him because they think he’d be great at it.
The Dating Life and the "Secret Family" Trope
Gubler is notoriously private. He’s dated some high-profile people—Kat Dennings (they’re still best friends), Victoria Asher, and there was that whole "was he or wasn't he" summer with Taylor Swift back in 2013. But he doesn't do the red carpet couple thing. He doesn't do "day in the life" vlogs.
In the vacuum of information, rumors grow. Some corners of the internet have suggested he has a "secret family" just because he isn't constantly spotted at Catch or The Ivy. But honestly? Matthew is more likely to be found in a haunted house in New England or painting a watercolor of a ghost than hiding a secret child from the paparazzi. He’s an eccentric artist, not a soap opera character.
What’s Next for the "Gublerverse"?
So, if there is no son, what is Matthew actually up to?
- The Einstein Series: He’s officially back in the acting game with Einstein, playing the great-grandson of Albert Einstein. It’s a role that fits his "genius with a quirk" brand perfectly.
- Pumpkin Patch Press: He’s focusing on his own publishing imprint. He wants to hand-bind books and keep creating art that feels personal.
- Criminal Minds: Evolution: While he sat out the first couple of seasons of the revival, the door has never been closed. The "Spencer Reid" shaped hole in the show is something fans are still hoping will be filled.
If you’re looking for the "Matthew Gray Gubler son," you’re going to find a lot of dead ends and TikTok theories. Instead, look at his nephew Hunter, his brother Gray, or the whimsical characters in his books. That’s where his "offspring" really lives—in his art and his actual family.
If you want to stay updated on what’s actually true, the best bet is to follow his official "Gublerland" channels or his book tours. He’s pretty transparent about his projects, even if he keeps his house a mystery. Stick to the verified sources and skip the gossip sites that thrive on 2014-era rumors. The real story is usually just as interesting as the fake one anyway.