Matthew McConaughey Quotes

Matthew McConaughey is an American actor and producer. He first gained notice for his breakout role in the coming-of-age film Dazed and Confused (1993), and went on to appear in films such as A Time to Kill (1996), Contact (1997), U-571 (2000), The Wedding Planner (2001), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), Sahara (2005), We Are Marshall (2006), Fool’s Gold (2008), and Magic Mike (2012). In 2014, McConaughey starred as Rust Cohle in the first season of the HBO crime drama True Detective, for which he won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

In 2014, McConaughey played the role of Ron Woodroof, a real-life HIV/AIDS patient, in Dallas Buyers Club, for which he received widespread critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.

McConaughey is also a notable philanthropist and has supported various charities and causes throughout his career.

Table of Contents:

1. Early Life and Education

2. Career

3. Philanthropy

4. Awards and Nominations

5. Personal Life

6. Filmography

7. Television

8. Music Videos

9. Books

10. Matthew McConaughey Quotes

1. Early Life and Education

Matthew David McConaughey was born in Uvalde, Texas, to Mary Kathleen “Kate” (née McCabe), a schoolteacher, and James Donald McConaughey, a gas station owner who ran an oil pipe supply business and once played football for the Green Bay Packers. He has two older brothers, Michael and Pat, and two older sisters, Sandra and Roanne. His mother and late father married each other three times. He has Irish, Scottish, and English ancestry.

McConaughey was raised Catholic. He grew up in Longview, Texas, where his mother taught Sunday school. His parents divorced in 1972 when he was five years old, and he subsequently lived with his mother. His mother remarried in 1979, to Michael Palmer, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

McConaughey attended Longview High School, where he played football and basketball. He was a member of the debate team and president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He graduated from Longview High School in 1988.

2. Career

McConaughey began acting while a student at the University of Texas at Austin, landing the lead role in the student film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth (1992), which was based on the real-life murders committed by Ed Gein. After graduating from college in 1993, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

McConaughey’s first film role was as a supporting character in Dazed and Confused (1993), starring Jason London and Wiley Wiggins. He played Wooderson, a high school senior who spends his time hanging out with his friends, drinking, and chasing girls. The film was a commercial success, grossing $8 million at the box office.

McConaughey’s next role was in the 1996 film A Time to Kill, based on the John Grisham novel of the same name. He played Jake Brigance, a lawyer who defends a black man (played by Samuel L. Jackson) who is accused of murdering two white men who raped his daughter. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $152 million at the box office.

In 1997, McConaughey starred in the science fiction film Contact, based on the novel by Carl Sagan. He played Palmer Joss, a religious skeptic and love interest of the main character, played by Jodie Foster. The film was a commercial success, grossing $171 million at the box office.

In 2000, McConaughey starred in the war film U-571, playing Lt. Cmdr. Mike Dahlgren, the executive officer of a submarine. The film was a commercial success, grossing $127 million at the box office.

In 2001, McConaughey starred in the romantic comedy The Wedding Planner, alongside Jennifer Lopez. He played Steve Edison, a rich doctor who falls in love with the wedding planner (played by Lopez). The film was a commercial success, grossing $94 million at the box office.

In 2003, McConaughey starred in the romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, playing Benjamin Barry, a womanizer who bets he can make a woman (played by Kate Hudson) fall in love with him in 10 days. The film was a commercial success, grossing $105 million at the box office.

In 2005, McConaughey starred in the action-adventure film Sahara, based on the Clive Cussler novel of the same name. He played Dirk Pitt, a treasure hunter who searches for a lost civil war ship. The film was a commercial success, grossing $119 million at the box office.

In 2006, McConaughey starred in the sports drama We Are Marshall, based on the true story of the 1970 Marshall University football team. He played Jack Lengyel, the team’s new coach who rebuilding the team after a plane crash kills most of the players. The film was a commercial success, grossing $58 million at the box office.

In 2008, McConaughey starred in the romantic comedy Fool’s Gold, playing Finn, a treasure hunter who is searching for a lost treasure. The film was a commercial success, grossing $110 million at the box office.

In 2012, McConaughey starred in the comedy-drama Magic Mike, playing a strip club owner. The film was a commercial success, grossing $167 million at the box office.

In 2014, McConaughey starred in the first season of the HBO crime drama True Detective, playing Rust Cohle, a detective who is investigating a series of murders. The show was a critical and commercial success, and McConaughey won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

In 2014, McConaughey starred in the biographical drama Dallas Buyers Club, playing Ron Woodroof, a real-life HIV/AIDS patient. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $55 million at the box office. McConaughey won several awards for his performance, including the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.

3. Philanthropy

McConaughey is a notable philanthropist and has supported various charities and causes throughout his career.

In 2000, McConaughey founded the just keep Living Foundation, a non-profit organization that “empowers high school students by providing them with the tools to lead active lives and make healthy choices for a better future.”

In 2005, McConaughey donated $5 million to the University of Texas at Austin, his alma mater, to create the UT Austin 3T Program, which provides mentorship, tutoring, and support to at-risk high school students.

In 2010, McConaughey became a spokesperson for the United Way, appearing in public service announcements and participating in various fundraising activities.

In 2012, McConaughey auctioned off his Lincoln Continental to raise money for the just keep Living Foundation.

In 2013, McConaughey donated $1 million to the United Way of Greater Austin, which was used to create the Just Keep Livin Austin program, an after-school program for at-risk high school students.

4. Awards and Nominations

McConaughey has won numerous awards and nominations throughout his career.

In 1994, he won the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance for his role in Dazed and Confused.

In 1996, he was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Actor for his role in A Time to Kill.

In 1997, he was nominated for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor – Science Fiction for his role in Contact.

In 2000, he won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor – Drama for his role in U-571.

In 2001, he won the MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo for his role in The Wedding Planner.

In 2003, he won the MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team for his role in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

In 2005, he won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor – Action Adventure for his role in Sahara.

In 2006, he won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor – Drama for his role in We Are Marshall.

In 2008, he won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor – Comedy for his role in Fool’s Gold.

In 2014, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Actor, and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for his role in Dallas Buyers Club.

In 2014, he won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in True Detective.

5. Personal Life

McConaughey has been married to Brazilian model and television host Camila Alves since 2012. The couple has three children together: sons Levi and Livingston, and daughter Vida.

McConaughey is a devout Catholic.

6. Filmography

• Dazed and Confused (1993)
• A Time to Kill (1996)
• Contact (1997)
• U-571 (2000)
• The Wedding Planner (2001)
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
• Sahara (2005)
• We Are Marshall (2006)
• Fool’s Gold (2008)
• Magic Mike (2012)
• Dallas Buyers Club (2014)

7. Television

• Unsolved Mysteries (1993)
• Reba (2006)
• Eastbound & Down (2009)
• Surprise Homecoming (2011)
• True Detective (2014)

8. Music Videos

• “All right Now” by Free (1993)
• “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots (1993)
• “Fade into You” by Mazzy Star (1993)
• “She Doesn’t Use Jelly” by The Flaming Lips (1993)
• “I Can See Clearly Now” by Jimmy Cliff (1993)
• “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones (1993)
• “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes (1993)
• “Yesterday” by The Beatles (1993)
• “The Weight” by The Band (1993)

9. Books

• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
• The Wedding Planner (2001)
• Fool’s Gold (2008)

Matthew McConaughey Quotes

“Life is a series of commas, not periods.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Life’s barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you get good at.” – Matthew McConaughey

“My life is the road, man. I need to keep moving.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I talk to myself all the time. Just make sure you answer.” – Matthew McConaughey

“My number one thing? Don’t overleverage yourself. Don’t say you can do something when you really can’t.” – Matthew McConaughey

“You want to be a writer? Start writing. You want to be a filmmaker? Start shooting stuff on your phone right now.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Good ideas are free – or at least they should be.” – Matthew McConaughey

“There are three things, to my account, that I need each day. One of them is something to look up to, another is something to look forward to, and another is someone to chase.” – Matthew McConaughey

“There’s a difference in thinking you are a champion and knowing that you are.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Life is not a popularity contest. Take the hill, but first answer the question: What is my hill?” – Matthew McConaughey

“A man should always have his diary on him. That way he’s guaranteed to have something incredible to read.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Instead of denying these fears, declare them, say them out loud, admit them, give them the credit they deserve…Find the courage to overcome them.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Give thanks. Appreciate what you do have…the more we give thanks, the more we receive to be thankful for. Gratitude is the gift that always gives back.” – Matthew McConaughey

“There’s a gap between what I want to do, what I do on camera, and what gets edited. Right? So the goal is to try and close the gaps. What’s the biggest compliment is if I read a review and it’s exactly what I wrote down in my diary before ever filming it. That’s really cool. That’s the biggest signifier of closing the gaps.” – Matthew McConaughey 

“The challenge for me as an actor is if you become a celebrity, you don’t meet strangers anymore. And strangers are where we have our anonymity. And I believe it’s essential for the soul to be anonymous, especially if you’re going to be an actor.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Any artist, the work you do, if it’s a painting or if it’s a performance, you hope it translates to a common denominator with the people that they see something in their own lives in there. Or they see something in somebody else’s life. That’s what’s fun about sharing art.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I like having my hands in the clay. I like the movie-making process.” – Matthew McConaughey

“When I first starting making money, when I first made my first six-digits, I was – my big thing was I went to put super unleaded in my truck for the first time.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Music is a really great creative tool for me, for different roles.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I’ve got a great sense of humor, and if I’m able to say or do something in a movie that people feel like they want to repeat, that’s hugely flattering.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I’ve done films where we don’t rehearse, and I’ve done films where we heavily rehearse. I like rehearsals.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I’m not arrogant enough to look back on my career and criticize my choices. It’s really not my place.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I love a good film, whether it’s an independent or studio film. The independent films, I think the good ones aren’t necessarily eccentric ones but they’re the more specific ones.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I’ve read a lot of really great characters in some really crappy stories, where I said, like, ‘Boy I could shine here, but the story sucks.’ I don’t want to be part of that.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I love Los Angeles, and it’s been very good to me, but if everyone is running around telling the stories, who’s living them? You don’t play characters that are celebrities – you play guys who know what to do when their septic tank’s blocked.” – Matthew McConaughey

“What the heck is true love? I remember feeling, back when I was 12 and ‘going’ with this girl, ‘Is this true love?’” – Matthew McConaughey

“I have no problem with commitment. In fact, I love having someone in my life.” – Matthew McConaughey

“When you have good friends you’ve been around, every time they talk, you don’t give them your full attention. You don’t look them in the eye and stop. Half the time, you’re listening, half the time, you are ignoring them.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I don’t dislike any of my exes. If I took time to form a relationship, it’s gonna hurt when we move on, but are you puttin’ White-Out over all that beautiful time together? That was real-time in your life. It’s connected to where you are today.” – Matthew McConaughey

“My wife and I don’t compete. We know each other’s preferences, and we work to provide those for each other. One will take over when the other is faced with something he or she dislikes. That’s what friends do.” – Matthew McConaughey

“When I see grace in a woman, that’s very sexy. You can tell by how someone moves or their rhythm.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I’ve never been a manipulator, even in my bachelor days. I never wanted to do things to people that could catch up with me later on.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I’ve got incredible support from my wife and family and people around me. I’ve got great people around me who handle anything on the outside, business-wise, who help free me up to create in my job.” – Matthew McConaughey

“To bring a healthy child into this world, raise them right and watch them grow is the biggest miracle there is.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I will say this: one of the things that are a pain when you’re expecting children is how much advice unsolicited people give you when you’re not asking for it.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Kids will remind you that, even though you’ve gone down a road 100 times, it’s brand new for them – and that’s healthy.” – Matthew McConaughey

“There’s two sorts of fear: one you embrace and one you should listen to and turn the other way.” – Matthew McConaughey

“We dissect failure a lot more than we dissect success.” – Matthew McConaughey

“We have a big appetite for putting people down but, at the heart of everyone, there’s enough room for all of us to succeed.” – Matthew McConaughey

“If you want your hair to be thicker, cut it when the moon is about to be full – a heavy, full, waxing moon. Do not cut it when the moon’s waning.” – Matthew McConaughey

“A creep is someone who claims he’s one thing but he’s actually another.” – Matthew McConaughey

“The unsaid rule for living in a trailer park is: ‘If the door’s shut, don’t come a-knockin.’ But if it’s open and you’re walkin’ by, feel free to say, ‘Hello.’” – Matthew McConaughey

“Without exercise, I don’t feel like my head works right.” – Matthew McConaughey

“There are certain nights you and your image just aren’t in the same bed.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I don’t dabble and spend much mind or time dealing with, I don’t know, people’s perceptions of me. I truly don’t.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I think the discipline comes with turning that cellphone and Blackberry off and unplugging completely. You do that and you go through some withdrawals in the beginning. You start thinking, ‘Oh, do I need to do this? Do I need to do that?’ You forget that we were doing just fine with the payphone.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I’ve never been a jealous person, and I’ve never felt built up by someone else’s failure – that’s a cheap thrill.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Life is not fair, and it never was and it is now and it won’t ever be. Do not fall into the trap. The entitlement trap, of feeling like you’re a victim. You are not.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I don’t mind assholes. It’s the dork I don’t trust. The dork is the one who’s trying to be whatever he thinks you want him to be. I trust the asshole ‘cause you know where he’s gonna stand.” – Matthew McConaughey

“My rule is to break one sweat a day.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I believe the truth is only offensive when we’re lying.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Persist, pivot, or concede. It’s up to us, our choice every time.” – Matthew McConaughey

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