Matthew McConaughey

Early Life

Matthew David McConaughey was born on November 4, 1969, in Uvalde, Texas. His mother, Mary Kathleen (née McCabe), was a kindergarten teacher and published author, and his father, James Donald McConaughey, was a Mississippi-born gas station owner who ran an oil pipe supply business.

Growing up in Longview, Texas, McConaughey attended Longview High School. He spent a year in Warnerview, New South Wales, Australia, as an exchange student before graduating from high school in 1988. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and graduated with a bachelor's degree in radio-television-film in 1993.

Career Beginnings

McConaughey's first film role was in the 1993 comedy Dazed and Confused, where he played David Wooderson, a role that would become iconic. His performance caught Hollywood's attention, and he soon landed supporting roles in films like Boys on the Side (1995) and Lone Star (1996).

His breakthrough came with the 1996 legal drama A Time to Kill, based on John Grisham's novel. His portrayal of lawyer Jake Brigance earned him critical acclaim and established him as a leading man in Hollywood.

Romantic Comedy Era

In the early 2000s, McConaughey became known for his roles in romantic comedies, including The Wedding Planner (2001) with Jennifer Lopez, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) with Kate Hudson, and Failure to Launch (2006) with Sarah Jessica Parker.

While these films were commercially successful, McConaughey later admitted he felt typecast and decided to take a break from acting to reassess his career direction.

The McConaissance

In 2011, McConaughey began what critics called the "McConaissance" - a career resurgence marked by dramatic, challenging roles. He starred in The Lincoln Lawyer (2011), Bernie (2011), Magic Mike (2012), and Killer Joe (2012).

His transformative performance as Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club (2013) earned him widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actor. He lost 47 pounds for the role, demonstrating his commitment to the craft.

This period also included his critically acclaimed role as Rust Cohle in the first season of HBO's True Detective (2014) and his performance in Christopher Nolan's Interstellar (2014).

Personal Life & Philosophy

McConaughey married Brazilian model Camila Alves in 2012. The couple has three children together. He is known for his distinctive Southern drawl, laid-back personality, and philosophical outlook on life.

In 2020, he published his memoir Greenlights, which became a New York Times bestseller. The book reflects on his life lessons and personal philosophy, centered around recognizing and pursuing "greenlights" - opportunities and affirmations in life.

McConaughey serves as a professor of practice at the University of Texas at Austin and has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, particularly in his home state of Texas.