Matlow was born in [[Toronto]], Ontario. His father, [[Ted Matlow]], was a federally appointed judge and his mother, Elaine Mitchell, was a retired high school teacher.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Ryan |date=2020-04-02 |title=Laughing in the face of dark times — lessons for life with COVID-19 |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2020/04/02/laughing-in-the-face-of-dark-times-lessons-for-life-with-covid-19.html |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=The Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref> He studied [[political science]] at [[Concordia University]] and attended [[L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq]] in [[Paris]], France.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Vukets |first=Cynthia |date=2010-11-23 |title=City hall rookies 2010: Josh Matlow |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2010/11/23/city_hall_rookies_2010_josh_matlow.html |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Veillette |first=Eric |date=2014-01-24 |title=A drink with Councillor Josh Matlow |url=https://www.thestar.com/life/2014/01/24/a_drink_with_councillor_josh_matlow.html |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=The Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref>
