On the TV show "Matlock" what was Matlock's first name?

On the TV show "Matlock," Matlock’s first name was Benjamin. He was usually known as Ben Matlock, the folksy but formidable defense attorney played by Andy Griffith.

The character’s full name was Benjamin Leighton Matlock. The original legal drama premiered with the television film "Diary of a Perfect Murder" in 1986, followed by the regular series. Matlock became famous for investigating cases personally, uncovering overlooked clues, and presenting alternative theories in court—usually in murder trials.

A common mix-up is confusing the character’s formal first name with the shorter name used throughout the show. "Ben" is his familiar form, while "Benjamin" is the canonical full first name. The 1986 series ran on NBC before moving to ABC, and its title character later inspired the unrelated 2024 series, whose lead uses "Matlock" as an alias.