Matthew David McConaughey (pronounced /məˈkɒnəheɪ/ ; born November 4, 1969) is an American actor. After a series of minor roles in the early 1990s (including his breakout role in Dazed and Confused , director Richard Linklater's second feature film), he appeared in films such as A Time to Kill , Contact , U-571 , Sahara , and We Are Marshall . He also played the leading man in several romantic comedies, including The Wedding Planner , How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days , Failure to Launch , Fool's Gold and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past .
Early life
McConaughey, the youngest of three boys, was born in Uvalde, Texas, the son of Mary Kathleen "Kay" (née McCabe), a substitute teacher, and James Donald McConaughey, a gas station owner who ran an oil pipe supply business and once played football for the Green Bay Packers. McConaughey has Irish ancestry and had what he describes as a strict Baptist upbringing. McConaughey's mother and late father divorced and re-married each other several times.
McConaughey moved to Longview, Texas—located east of Dallas. He lived for a year in Warnervale, New South Wales, Australia as a Rotary exchange student.
Career
Matthew McConaughey began his acting career in 1991, appearing in television commercials while attending College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin, where he joined Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity, before being cast in Richard Linklater's film Dazed and Confused . After appearing in some smaller roles in Angels in the Outfield, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation , Boys on the Side , and the television series Unsolved Mysteries , McConaughey's big break came as the lawyer "Jake Brigance" in the 1996 film A Time to Kill , based on the John Grisham novel of the same name.
McConaughey was cast in leading roles in many more movies: Contact , Amistad , The Newton Boys , Edtv , and U-571 . By the early 2000s, he was frequently cast in romantic comedies, including The Wedding Planner and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days , both of which were successful at the box office. During this period, he appeared as a firefighter in the low-budget film Tiptoes , opposite Rene Russo, in Two For The Money as a protege to Al Pacino's gambling mogul, and in Frailty , cast against type as a serial killer, opposite Bill Paxton. McConaughey starred in the feature film Sahara , along with Steve Zahn and Penélope Cruz. Prior to the release of the movie, he promoted it by repeating some trips he took in the late 1990s, including sailing down the Amazon River and trekking to Mali. That same year, McConaughey was named People magazine's “Sexiest Man Alive” for 2005.
In 2006, he co-starred with Sarah Jessica Parker in the romantic comedy Failure to Launch , which was reasonably successful at the box office. McConaughey also provided voice work for an ad campaign of the Peace Corps in late 2006. Matthew's production company, j.k. livin, is currently in development on projects with Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount Pictures and Imagine Entertainment. McConaughey starred in the football drama We Are Marshall . He also appeared in Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder , replacing Owen Wilson for the role.
On January 21, 2008, McConaughey became the new spokesman for the national radio campaign, "Beef: It's What's For Dinner", replacing actor Sam Elliot.
He has been cast to star as Thomas Magnum in the 2011 movie Magnum, P.I.
Matthew McConaughey has just signed on to replace Patrick Dempsey in the upcoming movie "Blood, Sweat and Tears." The film is a rags-to-riches story about an all-girl band that becomes one of the biggest music acts in the world. It is scheduled to begin filming in Chicago and Miami in early 2010.
Personal life
McConaughey lived at The Castilian Residential Hall while attending The University of Texas at Austin. He became a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity while at the University of Texas. McConaughey is an avid fan of the Texas Longhorns and the Washington Redskins.
On October 26, 1999, McConaughey was arrested in Austin, Texas, for resisting arrest following a disturbance in the early hours of the morning and for possession of marijuana. He had been found to be playing music very loudly and bongos while naked in his own home. McConaughey denied the drug charges (which were subsequently dropped), but was charged with disturbing the peace. He pleaded guilty and paid a fine of $50. McConaughey has made light of this offense and has discussed the incident in length, including playing the bongos at MTV's TRL while promoting Sahara .
McConaughey's personal life is the subject of media attention. He has dated actresses Sandra Bullock, Ashley Judd-with whom he had an onset affair during "A Time To Kill", Penelope Cruz, Salli Richardson and a brief relationship with Janet Jackson.
McConaughey's personal motto is "Just Keep Livin". His foundation is called j.k. livin foundation (all lower-case), which "is dedicated to helping teenage kids lead active lives and make healthy choices to become great men and women."
McConaughey rescued various pets, including cats, dogs and hamsters that were stranded after the flooding of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, in Sherman Oaks, California, he rescued a cat from two youths who had doused the animal in hairspray and were attempting to set it on fire.
Matthew has been with Brazilian model Camila Alves since 2007 and they have one son together Levi (born July 7, 2008). On June 22, 2009 the couple announced they were expecting their second child.
Filmography
References
- ^ Say How? A Pronunciation Guide to Names of Public Figures, Library of Congress
- ^ "Matthew McConaughey Biography (1969-)". Filmreference.com . http://www.filmreference.com/film/66/Matthew-McConaughey.html . Retrieved 2009-10-16 .
- ^ "Metro.co.uk". 60 Second interview: Matthew McConaughey . http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=11644&in_page_id=11 . Retrieved 2006-05-07 .
- ^ "Find Articles". Matthew's interview - Matthew McConaughey - Interview . http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_n8_v26/ai_18777626 . Retrieved 2006-04-15 .
- ^ "ABC7news.com". Barbara Walters' Oscar Special . http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=entertainment&id=3949579 . Retrieved 2006-04-15 .
- ^ "ONE news". McConaughey credits Australian town . http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425826/696966 . Retrieved 2006-12-22 .
- ^ People magazine: "2005 Sexiest Man of the Year" Retrieved May 19, 2008.
- ^ Matthew McConaughey to Replace Owen Wilson in Film
- ^ National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (2008-01-07). "“Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner” Advertising Campaign Invites Consumers to Discover the Power of Protein". Press release . http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/askexpert/pressrelease.asp . Retrieved 2008-07-02 . ...
Wedding Consultants & Planners for Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston ...
[ DWP ] Dallas Wedding Planner is DFW's source for today's savvy bride and groom. It's a free online directory designed to be the highest quality source on the Internet today for ...
The Wedding Date Agency - Wedding Planner In Dallas, TX on Yahoo ...
Is planning your wedding getting to be to much? It might be time to find a Wedding Planner in Dallas TX? Give The Wedding Date Agency a call. They can help you with from start to ...
Weddings . :: . Dallas Wedding Planner . :: . dallas brides; dfw ...
[ DWP ] Dallas Wedding Planner is DFW's source for today's savvy bride and groom. It's a free online directory designed to be the highest quality source on the Internet today for ...
Houston,Wedding Planner, Dallas Wedding Planner, Ft Worth Wedding ...
Ann Whittington is the premier event planner and wedding planner in Houston, Galveston, Austin, and Dallas, Texas.
Wedding Planner, Event Planner | Dallas, Plano | Events Elegante ...
Events Elegante, your creative wedding planner & event planner to celebrate life’s special occasions. Wedding planning & event planning are our creative specialties. Let our ...
Dallas Wedding Planners - Find a Local Wedding Planner in Dallas
Find a wedding planner in Dallas for coordinating your wedding party. Our Dallas Wedding Planners directory has a listing of pre-screened Wedding Planners who provides full service ...
Dallas Wedding Consultants: Wedding Consultants in Dallas, Texas
Dallas Wedding Consultants Directory. Includes listings for Wedding Consultants in Dallas, Texas
Dallas Wedding Planner: Wedding Planner in Dallas, Texas
Dallas Wedding Planner Directory. Includes listings for Wedding Planner in Dallas, Texas
Sweet Pea Events - Seattle and Dallas: Wedding Planner Workshop in ...
We are excited to announce that the Dallas Office of Sweet Pea Events is offering another intensive one-day workshop called “Sweet Success!” - how to build a successful wedding ...