Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey is the ultimate leading man. An actor with soul, McConaughey is currently expecting his first child with girlfriend Camila Alves. We examine his relationships and career.

Name: Matthew McConaughey
Date of Birth: 4 November 1969
Location: Uvalde, Texas

Texan actor Matthew McConaughey oozes southern charm and sex appeal. Voted People Magazine’s 2005 “Sexiest Man Alive”, the talented actor has the whole package. As one of Hollywood’s most desirable leading men, Matthew McConaughey can have his pick of film roles. He is currently expecting his first child with girlfriend, Camila Alves and also has numerous movies in the works.

Relationships
With a rippling six-pack, chiseled features and a trademark southern drawl Matthew McConaughey is no stranger to female attention. The smouldering actor has been linked to numerous Hollywood leading ladies including Sandra Bullock, Ashley Judd and Penelope Cruz.

Cruz and McConaughey met on the set of their film Sahara, shortly after Cruz’s break-up with Tom Cruise. The two dated from 2004 until 2006 but eventually broke up citing busy work schedules as the reason for the split.

McConaughey is currently dating Brazilian model, Camila Alves who is 13 years his junior. The two got together in 2007 and have been inseparable ever since. In January 2008, McConaughey announced on his website that Camila was expecting their first child. With characteristic Texan frankness McConaughey wrote on his site, “My girlfriend Camila and I made a baby together … it’s 3 months growin’ in her womb and all looks healthy and lively so far.”

The couple has no immediate plans to marry. McConaughey may be slightly averse to the idea considering the fact that his parents divorced and remarried 3 times while he was growing up. In an interview with People Magazine the actor said “I question marriage altogether. What does it really mean?”

Controversy
While Matthew McConaughey is set to be a responsible father, he is not one to follow the rules. In 1999, the actor was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. McConaughey was obviously under the influence while playing Bongo drums in the nude. Although the drug charges were later dropped, McConaughey admitted violating noise ordinances and paid a small fine.

Career
When he went to college, McConaughey originally wanted to pursue a career in law. However, he soon changed his major to film when he realized his path was in acting. Ironically, it was a role as a lawyer in 1996’s John Grisham legal thriller A Time to Kill that cemented his status in the Hollywood fraternity.

His latest film Fool’s Gold reunites him with How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days co-star Kate Hudson. The two are considered to be one of the millennium’s best onscreen pairings.

McConaughey is currently in Boston filming romantic comedy, The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past which co-stars Jennifer Garner. He also owns production company j.k. livin productions (just keep livin) and is developing the j.k. livin surf clothing brand.

Interesting Facts

* Lived for a year in Warnervale, NSW, in Australia as a rotary exchange student. Came home with an Australian accent
* Very involved in hurricane Katrina relief efforts specifically helping to rescue animals
* Is very good friends with Lance Armstrong, the two share a passion for sport
* Wears no underwear, cologne or deodorant as he doesn’t want to smell like someone else
* Loves traveling through places like Africa and Peru

Final Words
Matthew McConaughey’s combination of charm, good looks and a genuine love for life make him one of the big screen’s most appealing stars. His appeal is enhanced by his grounded and inherently easy going nature. Says McConaughey, “Hollywood is a pleasant place, when you are hip to the game and you enjoy it for what it is really.”

Sources
Imdb.com
Matthew McConaughey official website
People.com

Gillian Bloch
Journalist
Rapid Info (Pty) Ltd
May 2008