Career Timeline of Matthew McConaughey: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Matthew McConaughey made an impact.
Matthew McConaughey is an American actor who gained recognition for his role in 'Dazed and Confused' (1993). He transitioned to leading roles, achieving success in the legal drama 'A Time to Kill' (1996). He further established himself in films like 'Contact' (1997), 'Amistad' (1997), and 'U-571' (2000).
1992: Early Career Television Appearances
In 1992, Matthew McConaughey was cast in Trisha Yearwood's "Walkaway Joe" music video and acted in an episode of Unsolved Mysteries.
August 6, 1993: Big Screen Debut in My Boyfriend's Back
On August 6, 1993, Matthew McConaughey made his first big screen appearance as ''Guy 2'' in Bob Balaban's My Boyfriend's Back.
September 24, 1993: Premiere of Dazed and Confused
On September 24, 1993, Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused premiered, featuring McConaughey as Wooderson, a role that significantly boosted his career.
1993: Breakthrough Role in Dazed and Confused
In 1993, Matthew McConaughey had his breakthrough role with a supporting performance in the coming-of-age comedy Dazed and Confused.
1994: Roles in Angels in the Outfield and The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre
In 1994, Matthew McConaughey acted in Angels in the Outfield, The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Daniel Johnston's music video "Life in Vain".
February 3, 1995: Premiere of Boys on the Side
On February 3, 1995, Herbert Ross' Boys on the Side premiered, featuring McConaughey in a role.
1996: First Leading Role in A Time to Kill
In 1996, McConaughey achieved his first success as a leading man in the legal drama A Time to Kill, marking a significant step in his acting career.
1996: Roles in Lone Star and A Time to Kill
In 1996, McConaughey acted in John Sayles' Lone Star and played the lawyer Jake Brigance in Joel Schumacher's A Time to Kill.
1997: Starring Roles in Contact and Amistad
In 1997, Matthew McConaughey starred in the science fiction film Contact and as Roger Sherman Baldwin in Steven Spielberg's Amistad.
1998: Release of The Newton Boys
In 1998, The Newton Boys, co-written and directed by Richard Linklater, was released, based on the true story of the Newton Gang.
1999: Acting in EDtv
In 1999, McConaughey acted in EDtv, directed by Ron Howard.
2000: Starring in U-571
In 2000, Matthew McConaughey starred in U-571, a submarine film directed by Jonathan Mostow.
2001: Starring in The Wedding Planner
In 2001, Matthew McConaughey starred in the romantic comedy The Wedding Planner.
2003: Starring in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
In 2003, McConaughey starred in the romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
2005: People's Sexiest Man Alive
In 2005, Matthew McConaughey was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive". He also starred in Sahara that year.
2006: Starring in Failure to Launch
In 2006, Matthew McConaughey starred in the romantic comedy Failure to Launch.
2006: Starring in Failure to Launch and We Are Marshall
In 2006, McConaughey co-starred with Sarah Jessica Parker in Failure to Launch and played Jack Lengyel in We Are Marshall.
2008: Starring in Fool's Gold
In 2008, Matthew McConaughey starred in the romantic comedy Fool's Gold, solidifying his status as a sex symbol.
2008: Spokesman for Beef Campaign
In 2008, McConaughey became the new spokesman for the national radio campaign, "Beef: It's What's for Dinner".
2009: Starring in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
In 2009, Matthew McConaughey starred in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, a romantic comedy.
2011: Beginning of the McConaissance
In 2011, McConaughey recognized that his lifestyle had caused him to be typecast and sought more dramatic roles, marking the beginning of the "McConaissance".
2011: Return to Acting with The Lincoln Lawyer
In 2011, after a two-year hiatus, McConaughey began appearing in more dramatic roles, starting with the legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer.
2012: Critical Acclaim for Magic Mike and Mud
In 2012, Matthew McConaughey gained wider praise for his roles as a stripper in Magic Mike and a fugitive in Mud.
2012: Starring in Magic Mike and Mud
In 2012, McConaughey starred in Magic Mike and Mud, gaining praise for his role as a fugitive in Mud.
2012: Did Not Vote In Primary Race Since 2012
In 2012, The Texas Tribune reported that Matthew McConaughey had not donated to any political campaigns and had not voted in a primary race since 2012.
2013: Academy Award for Dallas Buyers Club
In 2013, McConaughey earned widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his portrayal of Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club.
2013: Dallas Buyers Club Role and Awards
In 2013, McConaughey portrayed Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club, winning numerous awards including the Academy Award for Best Actor.
August 2014: Lincoln Motor Company Collaboration
In August 2014, the Lincoln Motor Company signed a multi-year collaboration with McConaughey for an ad campaign.
September 2014: Debut of Lincoln Commercials
In September 2014, commercials featuring McConaughey driving a Lincoln's MKC crossover debuted and were later parodied.
2014: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star and True Detective
In 2014, McConaughey received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and starred in HBO's True Detective.
2014: End of the McConaissance
The period known as the "McConaissance", Matthew McConaughey's shift to more dramatic roles, ended in 2014.
2015: Finished filming The Sea of Trees
In 2015, Matthew McConaughey finished filming Gus Van Sant's film, "The Sea of Trees", alongside Ken Watanabe.
2015: Visiting Instructor at UT-Austin
In 2015, Matthew McConaughey worked as a visiting instructor at the Moody College of Communication at UT-Austin.
February 25, 2016: Received Creative Conscience Award
On February 25, 2016, Matthew McConaughey received the Creative Conscience award from unite4:humanity for his work with the "just keep livin foundation".
2016: Voice Work in Kubo and the Two Strings and Sing
In 2016, Matthew McConaughey did voice work in Kubo and the Two Strings and Sing.
2016: Starred in Films and Became Creative Director
In 2016, Matthew McConaughey starred in the films "Free State of Jones" and "Gold", voiced characters in the animated films "Kubo and the Two Strings" and "Sing", and was hired as creative director and celebrity spokesman for Wild Turkey.
2017: Starred in 'The Dark Tower'
In 2017, Matthew McConaughey starred as Walter Padick in the Stephen King adaptation "The Dark Tower", which received negative reviews.
2018: Starred in "White Boy Rick"
In 2018, Matthew McConaughey starred in the true-life gangster drama "White Boy Rick", which received mixed reviews.
2018: Voted in the 2018 Texas Elections
In 2018, Matthew McConaughey voted in the Texas Elections.
March 29, 2019: Release of "The Beach Bum"
On March 29, 2019, Harmony Korine's comedy "The Beach Bum", starring Matthew McConaughey, Zac Efron, and Jonah Hill, was released.
2019: Became Minority Owner of Austin FC
In 2019, Matthew McConaughey became a minority owner of Austin FC, a Major League Soccer team.
2019: Became Professor at UT-Austin
In 2019, Matthew McConaughey officially became a professor of practice at the Moody College of Communication at UT-Austin, after serving as a visiting instructor since 2015.
2019: Starring in The Gentlemen
In 2019, Matthew McConaughey starred in the film The Gentlemen.
November 2020: Denied Interest in Running for Governor
In a November 2020 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Matthew McConaughey denied any interest in running for governor.
2020: Published Memoir 'Greenlights'
In 2020, Matthew McConaughey published his memoir, "Greenlights".
March 2021: Considering Running for Governor
In March 2021, Matthew McConaughey confirmed that he was considering running in the 2022 Texas gubernatorial election.
October 2021: Purposely Vague on Political Issues
In an October 2021 interview, Matthew McConaughey remained "purposely vague" about his political stances and did not disclose his party affiliation.
2021: Voice work in Sing 2
In 2021, Matthew McConaughey continued his voice work in Sing 2.
2021: Reported Lack of Political Involvement
In 2021, The Texas Tribune reported that Matthew McConaughey had not donated to any political campaigns and had not voted in a primary race since "at least" 2012.
June 2022: Advocated for Gun Laws at White House
In June 2022, Matthew McConaughey spoke at the White House press briefing, advocating for "commonsense gun laws" following the Uvalde school shooting.
2022: Declined to Run for Governor
In 2022, Matthew McConaughey released a video stating that he would not be competing for the office of Texas governor.
February 6, 2023: Announced as Voice of Elvis in 'Agent Elvis'
On February 6, 2023, it was announced that Matthew McConaughey would voice an animated version of Elvis Presley in the Netflix series "Agent Elvis".
March 17, 2023: Agent Elvis Released
On March 17, 2023, Agent Elvis was released.
May 8, 2023: Departure from Yellowstone Announced
On May 8, 2023, following Kevin Costner's departure from "Yellowstone", it was announced that Matthew McConaughey would star in a related series.
July 2024: Expressed Interest in Political Office
In July 2024, Matthew McConaughey spoke at the National Governors Association meeting, reiterating his interest in running for political office and saying he has been "on a learning tour."
