Matthew McConaughey biography, wife, kids, net worth, family, young, age 2025

Matthew McConaughey's biography

Matthew McConaughey is an actor who's equally comfortable in both comedy and drama. His good looks landed him roles for years in romantic comedies («The Wedding Planner», «How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days») but his talent truly shined in horror films and dramas: «A Time to Kill». «The Lincoln Lawyer». «Dallas Buyers Club». «Interstellar», and the hit series «True Detective». Net worth: $140 million.

Childhood and family

Matthew David McConaughey was born in Uvalde, Texas, the youngest of three sons. His father Jim was a former professional football player who ran a gas station, and his mother Kim was a kindergarten teacher.

The oil pipe supply business was booming, and when Matthew turned 10, the family moved to Longview, Texas, an oil town. It was there that Matthew developed his strong character, becoming honest and hardworking. He did well in school but was quite the wild guy in his free time. All the money he earned at his father's gas station went to bars and adventures whenever he could find them.

According to Zoomboola.com, in 1988 he graduated from high school in Longview (he was voted «Most Handsome» at the graduation dance) and enrolled in the student exchange program. The next year he lived in New South Wales, Australia. Though naturally open and kind, he somehow couldn't connect with people in his new environment. The loneliness made him think deeply about life's meaning and his future path.

McConaughey – the most handsome at school

Unlike his older brothers, who joined the family business, Matthew didn't want to sell gasoline for the rest of his life. Initially drawn to law, he returned home and enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. For the next two years, McConaughey skillfully juggled law and philosophy studies with student parties.

Matthew McConaughey at a young age and nowadays

At the end of his second year, while preparing for exams, McConaughey read «The Greatest Salesman in the World» by Og Mandino. As the actor confessed later, it had changed his life. He realized he wasn't doing what he actually enjoyed. McConaughey reflected on his feelings and realized he'd been secretly envying a friend who was both a student and an actor. He then changed his major at the university—something the American higher education system allowed—and began studying drama and stage skills, finally feeling like a fish in water.

McConaughey's acting career

During those years Austin boasted a thriving film industry, and McConaughey easily landed his first gigs in commercials. A chance encounter launched him into major films. One evening he met producer Don Phillips at a bar, who was casting actors for the youth drama «Dazed and Confused». After a five-hour conversation that ended with the new friends getting kicked out of the bar, McConaughey landed the role of Wooderson, who was «too old to party with the schoolkids».

McConaughey's first role – Wooderson from the «Dazed and Confused»

Thanks to its intricate script and stunning mid-'70s style, the film became an instant classic. By the way, Quentin Tarantino put the film into the sixth position of his favorite films. McConaughey's star power exploded after that.

In 1996 he landed his first dramatic lead as a lawyer defending a Black man who shot the KKK members who raped his daughter. Set in the Deep South where racial prejudice still ran deep, the role allowed McConaughey to showcase his dramatic range and work alongside Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey.

McConaughey's speech from «A Time to Kill»

The early 2000s saw McConaughey's filmography dominated by romantic comedies. Critics began calling him the male Jennifer Aniston – he specialized in playing handsome loners who reluctantly fall in love: «The Wedding Planner» with Jennifer Lopez, «How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days» with Kate Hudson, «Tiptoes» with Kate Beckinsale.

A shot from the «How to lose a guy in 10 days»

The adventure film «Sahara» hit theaters in 2005. McConaughey served as executive producer while playing the lead role of adventurer Dirk Pitt, treasure-hunting across Africa.

McConaughey trained a lot preparing for the set of «Sahara»

He starred opposite Sarah Jessica Parker in 2006's «Failure to Launch». 2008 brought three McConaughey films in quick succession – «Surfer, Dude», «Fool's Gold» and «Tropic Thunder».

In 2011, McConaughey, who had built his reputation as a heroic heartthrob, shocked audiences by playing a hitman in the dark comedy crime thriller «Killer Joe». His character gets hired by a young drug addict who owes money to his dealer — the job is to kill the kid's mother for the insurance payout.

Top 10 films with Matthew McConaughey

In 2013, McConaughey starred in «Dallas Buyers Club». The role of an AIDs patient cowboy Ron brought him the first «Oscar» for his entire career and the «Golden Globe». The audience was amazed by his tandem with Jared Leto, who played an HIV-infected transvestite. Preparing for the role was grueling — McConaughey had to lose 50 pounds.

Matthew McConaughey in the «Dallas Buyers Club»

That same year, he appeared in Martin Scorsese's «The Wolf of Wall Street» as the rookie stockbroker's first boss, who teaches his protégé to embrace a hedonistic lifestyle. Interestingly, the scene where McConaughey schools Leonardo DiCaprio and then pounds his chest was pure improvisation — it came from McConaughey's pre-scene warm-up routine.

In 2014, «True Detective» premiered on HBO after production began back in 2012. The first season followed detectives investigating the mysterious murder of a Louisiana prostitute — a case that spanned many years. The story centered on detectives Rustin Cohle and Martin Hart, played by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. The show's creator was so impressed by McConaughey's performance in «The Lincoln Lawyer» that he cast him without hesitation.

»True Detective»: Matthew McConaughey as Rust Cohle

That same year, Christopher Nolan's sci-fi epic «Interstellar» hit theaters with McConaughey and Anne Hathaway in the lead roles, leaving audiences stunned. His role as farmer Cooper, sent by NASA into space to find humanity's salvation, is considered by fans to be one of his finest performances, and the film earned an «Oscar» nomination.

McConaughey played the leading role in the «Interstellar»

The actor commands respect for his willingness to transform himself for his roles. To portray characters with maximum authenticity, he'll either starve himself or push his body to complete exhaustion in the gym.

How McConaughey changes for roles

In 2017, the Stephen King adaptation «The Dark Tower» hit theaters. McConaughey took on the role of the antihero known as the Man in Black. His nemesis was the gunslinger played by Idris Elba. Also in 2018, the premiere of the crime drama "White Boy Rick" with McConaughey as Richard Vershie Sr. took place.

»The Dark Tower»: McConaughey plays the villain

Matthew McConaughey's personal life

For years, the actor had a reputation as quite the ladies' man. In 1994, Matthew briefly dated Patricia Arquette, who later became famous for the series "Medium." When faced with choosing between McConaughey and Nicolas Cage, she went with Cage.

In the photo: Matthew McConaughey and Patricia Arquette

McConaughey quickly bounced back and started a romance with his "A Time to Kill" co-star Ashley Judd. Their relationship was intense but brief – Judd's strong personality intimidated McConaughey, who preferred more easygoing partners.

In young age McConaughey was a heartbreaker

Matthew later started dating Sandra Bullock, another co-star from "A Time to Kill." The relationship lasted for almost two years. The couple had several dramatic breakups and makeups until Sandra discovered she might be pregnant. McConaughey panicked, clearly not ready for fatherhood. The test later proved false, but Bullock couldn't forgive his reaction and moved on with Robert Schneider. Her ex literally begged for forgiveness on his knees, but their reunion was brief – Bullock was too hurt.

Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock (1997)

After that, the actor avoided serious relationships and only had flings with women outside the entertainment industry. In 2004 he came to the Academy Awards ceremony with waitress Michelle Smith. However, dating someone outside the spotlight quickly bored him: "She knows everything about me, I know nothing about her," he said in an interview.

While filming "Sahara," Matt caught the eye of Penélope Cruz, who was single at the time. Originally, Tom Cruise was set to star in the project, but he dropped out after his breakup with Penélope. McConaughey stepped into both the role and Cruz's heart. No longer a reckless young man, the actor took the relationship seriously and marriage seemed likely, but they split after two years, telling the press they barely saw each other due to constant filming schedules.

Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz (2005)

In 2006, McConaughey was walking through Los Angeles when he suddenly craved Cuban food. He ducked into the first Cuban restaurant he found and stumbled into a party celebrating Brazilian model Camila Alves – and fell for her instantly. Their age difference is 13 years.

Currently McConaughey is married to Brazilian model Camila Alves

A year and a half later, the couple welcomed their first child, a boy named Levi. Another year and a half later, baby Vida was born. When Camila told him she was pregnant with their third child, he finally proposed.

The happy family: McConaughey with his wife and children

The wedding ceremony took place in 2012 at the actor's estate in Texas and soon their third child was born – a boy who was named Livingston.

The actor owns a production company named «j. k. livin» (Just Leep Living). The name translates to «just keep living». McConaughey calls this phrase his motto. He named his charity fund the same thing, which helps teenagers find their way in life.

The former Don Juan became an exemplary family man

The actor adores pets. He had a few dogs at home and later they were joined by a cat which he rescued from the streets.

Matthew McConaughey now

The actor continues working in films. In 2019, with his participation, the film "Serenity" was released, in which Anne Hathaway also starred. In 2020, the film "The Gentlemen" was released, in which McConaughey played Mickey Pearson.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the actor stayed home and shared thoughts on Twitter. He encouraged fans to stay home with loved ones, but not to succumb to unnecessary panic.

Matthew McConaughey: latest news and articles

Matthew McConaughey Shocks Fans with Bee Sting Photo

11 Jul 2024

Robert Yates

With this actor, I liked the last movie at the moment - The Gentlemen.

2021-04-29 16:17:04
Mitchell Salazar

Matthew used to play in many cool movies from Dallas Buyers Club to The Gentlemen. One of the brilliant actors.

2021-03-26 16:47:57
Mary Cook

That`s a pity that they saw McConaughey as a serious actor not a long time ago.

2021-03-08 20:37:44
Joseph Jones

I understood this actor only after True Detective, he is a cool actor.

2021-03-02 16:27:54
Jeffrey Underwood

A very cool actor who has different roles and all of them are very powerful.

2021-02-01 18:11:06

Photos: Matthew McConaughey