Matthew McConaughey Then & Now: Photos of the Actor From His Young Days to Today

Alright, alright, alright – it’s Matthew McConaughey’s birthday! Matthew is an undeniable acting great, winning over everyone from rom-com fans to drama buffs over his career.

Born November 4, 1969, in Uvalde, Texas, Matthew got his start in the 70s-set high school romp Dazed & Confused. His star continued to soar upon his first lead role in the 1996 legal drama A Time To Kill, pictured here. Roles in Contact (1997), Amistad (1997), and U-571 (2000) followed.

After establishing himself as a dramatic talent, he turned his charms to rom-coms in the 2000s. Making him one of the era’s most prolific leading men, he appeared in The Wedding Planner (2001) with Jennifer Lopez, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) with Kate Hudson, Failure to Launch (2006) with Sarah Jessica Parker, and 2008’s Fool’s Gold, again with Miss Hudson.

He would step back into the dramatic ring big time with 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club, for which he earned the Best Actor Oscar. Taking his talents to TV, he starred in the HBO crime anthology True Detective (2014). He earned an Emmy nom for the intense role.

Ready to see how the star has evolved through the years? Check out our gallery for all the best photos here.