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

By:
November 4, 2023 8:00AM EDT
Matthew McConaughey
New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock

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.

1 of 17

Matthew McConaughey at the Premiere Of ‘Hope Floats’

Matthew McConaughey at the Premiere Of ‘Hope Floats’
Bei/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey looked handsome at the premiere of Hope Floats in May of 1998. He wore a leather jacket and jeans.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
2 of 17

Matthew McConaughey Films ‘The Beach Bum’

Matthew McConaughey Films ‘The Beach Bum’
Hoo-Me/Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey looked slick while filming The Beach Bum in Miami, Florida around 2019. He was a bit more groomed than his wild character, but still had a stubbly jawline.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
3 of 17

Matthew McConaughey in 2000

Matthew McConaughey in 2000
ABACA/Shutterstock

Mathew McConaughey sat down during a photocall for his film U-571 at the 2000’s American Film Festival in Deauville, France on Sep. 8. The war drama followed a group of American submariners who sneak onto a German vessel on a mission.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
4 of 17

Matthew McConaughey at the Premiere of ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’

Matthew McConaughey at the Premiere of ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’
Charbonneau/BEI/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey enjoyed a cigar on the red carpet of the 2 Fast 2 Furious premiere in LA on Jun. 3, 2003. His hair was long and he donned a slate grey suit.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
5 of 17

Matthew McConaughey on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ in 2003

Matthew McConaughey on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ in 2003
Abc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Talk about specs appeal! Matthew McConaughey was so handsome with his glasses during this 2003 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey at the Premiere Of ‘Failure to Launch’

Matthew McConaughey at the Premiere Of ‘Failure to Launch’
Carolyn Contino/BEI/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey was ruggedly handsome during the red carpet premiere of Failure to Launch on March 8, 2006. He wore a heavy coat and had some charming stubble along his jawline.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
7 of 17

Matthew McConaughey Promotes ‘Fool’s Gold’

Matthew McConaughey Promotes ‘Fool’s Gold’
Theo Kingma/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey grins while promoting his 2008 adventure-romance Fool’s Gold in Santa Monica, California. His baby blue eyes matched his shirt perfectly.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey in 2010

Matthew McConaughey in 2010
Ipa/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey was the image of sophistication while promoting Dolce & Gabbana’s The One fragrance in Milan, Italy on Jun. 18, 2010. The pinstriped suit and razor-sharp jawline? Swoon.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey in 2013

Matthew McConaughey in 2013
Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix/Shutte

Matthew McConaughey suited up in grey for the 2013 New York Film Critics Circle Awards on Jan. 7, 2013. His hair was in a curly shag and he grinned.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey at the 2016 SAG Awards

Matthew McConaughey at the 2016 SAG Awards
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey looked suave during the 21st Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan. 25, 2015. His silky blue jacket and beard combo made knees weak.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey in 2017

Matthew McConaughey in 2017
Suzanne Cordeiro/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey is a big philanthropist, contributing to many causes over the years. He hosted the Strength In Neighbors Hurricane Harvey Benefit with entertainment by Alpha Rev, The Wind and The Wave, and Suzanna Choeffel at Parlor & Yard in Austin, Texas in Sep. 2017.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey Promotes ‘The Gentlemen’

Matthew McConaughey Promotes ‘The Gentlemen’
Magnus Sundholm/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey sat for a photocall for The Gentleman in New York in Jan. 2020. The film was about an American expat who tries to sell off his highly profitable marijuana empire in London.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey in 2021

Matthew McConaughey in 2021
Suzanne Cordeiro/Shutterstock

Along with his many, interests, Matthew McConaughey is the co-owner of Austin Texas’ professional soccer team, Austin Football Club. He beat the bongos before a match between Austin FC and the San Jose Earthquakes on June 19, 2021 on their home turf in the longhorn state.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
14 of 17

Matthew McConaughey at the Premiere of ‘Sing 2’

Matthew McConaughey at the Premiere of ‘Sing 2’
AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey wore a cocoa-colored suit to the premiere of Sing 2 on Dec. 12, 2021. In the animated movie, he voiced crooning koala Buster Moon for the second time.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey in 2022

Matthew McConaughey in 2022
MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Matthew McConaughey is a total surfer bro. He was all smiles when pro Kelly Slater won the Billabong Pro Pipeline 2022 Surf Tournament at The Banzai Pipeline in Haleiwa beach on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu on Feb. 5, 2022. 

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey & Wife Camila in 2022

Matthew McConaughey & Wife Camila in 2022
Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/S

Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves appeared in Washington D.C. in Jun. 2022. While in town, he advocated for stricter gun control, following a school shooting in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM
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Matthew McConaughey at the White House

Matthew McConaughey at the White House
White House/News Pictures/Shutte

Matthew McConaughey made a moving appeal for gun control measures while visiting Washington D.C. on Aug. 7, 2022, in the wake of a school shooting in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas. Making an emotional plea, the actor held up a photo of 10-year old shooting victim Alithia Ramirez.

November 4, 2022, 11:02AM