Matthew McConaughey biography

Synopsis

Early Life

Born on November 4, 1969, in Uvalde, Texas, actor Matthew McConaughey is known for his laid-back lifestyle, rugged physique and charming appeal. He was an athlete at a young age, playing golf and tennis at Longview High School. His classmates named him the school's "most handsome student."

McConaughey stayed in Texas for college, graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993. While he had previously appeared in commercials and in small film roles, McConaughey got his first big break in 1993's Dazed and Confused.

Known for his good looks and easy-going personality, McConaughey soon achieved leading man status with A Time to Kill (1996), which also starred Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey. The press often speculated about the nature of McConaughey's relationship with Bullock, but sources close to the pair insisted that they were only friends.

Star Status

Making the cover of Vanity Fair magazine in 1996, McConaughey was seen as a rising star in Hollywood. He had several dramatic projects that helped further establish his talents as an actor. In 1997, he appeared in Contact with Jodie Foster, a science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis. That same year, starred in Amistad, playing a lawyer involved in the trial of African slaves who staged a revolt onboard the slave ship Amistad. The Academy Award-winning film was directed by Stephen Spielberg.

Returning to his comedic roots, McConaughey starred in 1999's EdTv as a lowly clerk who becomes the star of his own reality show. The film was both a critical and commercial disappointment. Later that year, McConaughey started developing some notoriety for his offbeat off-screen behavior. The police visited his Austin, Texas home after receiving a noise complaint in 1998. There, they discovered a naked McConaughey playing the bongos and found a small amount of marijuana. McConaughey was booked on drug charges and for resisting arrest. The drug charges were later dropped, and he paid a fine for violating a local noise ordinance.

A Variety of Roles

Bouncing back, McConaughey emerged as a king of romantic comedies. He starred in The Wedding Planner (2001) with Jennifer Lopez, and then in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) with Kate Hudson. He tried his hand at action with 2005's Sahara, and became romantically involved with co-star Penelope Cruz.