Matthew McConaughey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matthew McConaughey
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McConaughey in 2019
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Matthew David McConaughey
November 4, 1969 Uvalde, Texas, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin (BS) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1991–present |
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Works
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Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
Camila Alves
(m. 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Full list |
Matthew David McConaughey (born November 4, 1969) is a famous American actor. He first became well-known for his role in the comedy movie Dazed and Confused (1993). He then became a leading man in movies like the courtroom drama A Time to Kill (1996) and the science fiction film Contact (1997).
In the 2000s, McConaughey was famous for starring in romantic comedies. Some of his popular movies from this time include The Wedding Planner (2001) and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003). These roles made him a very popular star.
After taking a break from acting, McConaughey started choosing more serious and dramatic roles. This period of his career is sometimes called the "McConaissance." He earned great praise for his role as a cowboy with AIDS in the movie Dallas Buyers Club (2013). For this performance, he won an Academy Award for Best Actor.
He also starred in the popular TV series True Detective (2014) and the space movie Interstellar (2014). Younger audiences might know his voice from animated movies like Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), Sing (2016), and Sing 2 (2021).
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Early Life and School
Matthew David McConaughey was born on November 4, 1969, in Uvalde, Texas. His mother, Mary, was a kindergarten teacher, and his father, James, ran an oil pipe supply business. He has two older brothers, Michael and Patrick.
In 1980, his family moved to Longview, Texas, where he went to Longview High School. When he was 18, he spent a year in Warnervale, New South Wales, Australia, as a Rotary Youth Exchange student.
After returning to the U.S., he went to the University of Texas at Austin. He graduated in 1993 with a degree in Radio-Television-Film. He had thought about going to law school to become a lawyer, but he realized he wasn't interested in that career path.
Acting Career
1990s: Getting Started
McConaughey started his career acting in TV commercials. His first big movie role was in Dazed and Confused (1993). His character, Wooderson, was not supposed to be a big part of the movie. But the director, Richard Linklater, was so impressed with McConaughey that he gave him more screen time. The movie became a classic, and people loved his performance.
After Dazed and Confused, he appeared in several other movies. His big break as a leading actor came in 1996 with the movie A Time to Kill. He played a lawyer in this film, which was based on a popular book by John Grisham. The movie was a big hit.
He then starred in major films like Contact, a science fiction movie with Jodie Foster, and Amistad, a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg. By the end of the 1990s, he was a well-known actor in Hollywood.
2000s: A Romantic Comedy Star
In the early 2000s, McConaughey became the star of many romantic comedies. He appeared in The Wedding Planner (2001) with Jennifer Lopez and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) with Kate Hudson. These movies were very successful and made him a popular leading man.
He also starred in adventure and comedy films like Sahara (2005) and Failure to Launch (2006). During this time, he was known for playing charming, easy-going characters.
However, McConaughey felt that he was being offered the same types of roles over and over. He decided to take a break and look for more challenging and dramatic parts.
2011–2014: The "McConaissance"
Starting around 2011, McConaughey began a new phase in his career. This period was nicknamed the "McConaissance" because he was "reborn" as a serious dramatic actor. He starred in movies like The Lincoln Lawyer and Magic Mike.
His most celebrated role came in 2013 with Dallas Buyers Club. He played Ron Woodroof, a real-life man diagnosed with AIDS in the 1980s. To play the part, McConaughey lost nearly 50 pounds. His performance was praised by critics, and he won many awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actor.
In 2014, he starred with his friend Woody Harrelson in the first season of the HBO crime series True Detective. His role as detective Rust Cohle earned him an Emmy nomination. That same year, he also starred in the science fiction movie Interstellar, directed by Christopher Nolan.
2015–Present: Recent Work
In recent years, McConaughey has continued to take on a variety of roles. He starred in the historical film Free State of Jones (2016). He also provided his voice for popular animated movies. He was the voice of the beetle Hanzo in Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) and the koala Buster Moon in Sing (2016) and its sequel Sing 2 (2021).
In 2019, he starred in the crime comedy The Gentlemen. In 2020, he published his memoir, Greenlights, which became a bestseller. In 2023, he voiced Elvis Presley in the animated Netflix series Agent Elvis.
His recent movies include the crime film The Rivals of Amziah King and the survival thriller The Lost Bus, where he plays a bus driver during a massive wildfire.
Personal Life
McConaughey met Brazilian-American model and designer Camila Alves in 2006. They got married on June 9, 2012, in Austin, Texas, where they live. They have three children together.
McConaughey is a Christian and sometimes speaks about his faith. He is also a part-owner of Austin's Major League Soccer team, Austin FC. He is a longtime fan of the Washington Commanders football team.
In 2019, he became a professor at his old college, the University of Texas at Austin. He teaches classes in the Department of Radio-Television-Film.
Politics and Charity Work
McConaughey has shown an interest in politics. In 2021, he considered running for governor of Texas but later decided against it.
In June 2022, he gave a speech at the White House after the school shooting in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas. He spoke about the need for "responsible gun ownership" and other measures to help prevent similar events.
McConaughey is also involved in charity work. He started the "just keep livin foundation." The foundation helps high school students lead active and healthy lives.
Filmography and Awards
