Early Life and Education of Matthew McConaughey: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Matthew McConaughey. From birth to education, explore key events.

Matthew McConaughey is an American actor whose career took off with Dazed and Confused (1993). He gained prominence in a leading role in A Time to Kill (1996). He further starred in movies such as Contact (1997), Amistad (1997), and U-571 (2000).

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2006: Meeting Camila Alves

In 2006, Matthew McConaughey met Camila Alves.

December 25, 2011: Engagement to Camila Alves

On December 25, 2011, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves became engaged.

June 9, 2012: Marriage to Camila Alves

On June 9, 2012, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves were married in a private Catholic ceremony in Austin.

2012: Lack of primary race voting since 2012

The Texas Tribune reported that Matthew McConaughey had not voted in a primary race since "at least" 2012.

2015: Visiting Instructor

Since 2015, McConaughey has been a visiting instructor at UT-Austin.

2018: 2018 Texas elections vote

Matthew McConaughey voted in the 2018 Texas elections.

2019: Minority owner of Austin FC

In 2019, Matthew McConaughey became a minority owner of Austin FC, a Major League Soccer team.

2019: Professor of practice at UT-Austin

In 2019, Matthew McConaughey officially became a professor of practice for the Department of Radio-Television-Film at UT-Austin.

November 2020: Denial of gubernatorial interest

In November 2020, during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Matthew McConaughey denied any interest in running for governor.

March 2021: Consideration of Texas gubernatorial run

In March 2021, Matthew McConaughey confirmed he was considering running in the 2022 Texas gubernatorial election.

October 2021: Vague response on gubernatorial run

In an October 2021 interview, Matthew McConaughey responded to a question about running for governor of Texas with, "I am not – until I am."

2021: Austin FC began play

In 2021, Austin FC, of which Matthew McConaughey is a minority owner and "minister of culture", began play in Major League Soccer.

2021: The Tonight Show appearance

Matthew McConaughey appeared on The Tonight Show in 2021.

2021: Lack of political donations

Up through 2021, Matthew McConaughey had never donated to a political campaign at the state or federal level.

June 2022: White House speech on gun laws

In June 2022, Matthew McConaughey joined the White House press briefing and advocated for "commonsense gun laws" during a 20-minute speech, speaking about the Uvalde school shooting.

2022: Decision not to compete for Texas governor

Shortly before the Texas primary candidate filing deadline in 2022, Matthew McConaughey announced he would not compete for the office of Texas governor.

2023: Possible familial connection with Woody Harrelson

In 2023, Matthew McConaughey stated that he and Woody Harrelson could be brothers, due to his mother's alleged intimacy with Harrelson's father.

July 2024: Interest in running for political office

In July 2024, Matthew McConaughey spoke at the annual National Governors Association meeting, reiterating his interest in running for political office and stating he has been "on a learning tour".