Matthew Mcconaughey Biography

Actor Matthew McConaughey has starred in several major films but he will probably be remembered best for gracing the pages of entertainment magazines shirtless and for being able to carry a chick flick movie.

McConaughey's career seemed to be rolling with the cult classic "Dazed and Confused" and his role in the John Grisham movie "A Time to Kill," but his career took a turn into the world of Hollywood leading man when he began to appear in romantic comedies.

In 2001 he starred in "The Wedding Planner" followed by "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" in 2003. "Failure to Launch" in 2006 and "Fool's Gold" in 2008 cemented his ability to carry a romantic comedy.

In the midst of these movies, People Magazine named him "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2005.

He was born Matthew David McConaughey on November 4, 1969, in Uvalde, Texas, and is the youngest of three boys.

His mother Mary was a substitute school teacher and his father, James, owned a gas station and ran an oil pipe supply business. His dad also once played football for the Green Bay Packers.

McConaughey moved to Longview, Texas in 1980 and graduated from high school there in 1988 after being named "Most Handsome" by his class.

His acting career began in 1991, but his break came in 1993 when he met a casting director at a bar near the University of Texas and was cast in Richard Linklater's movie "Dazed and Confused."

A few smaller parts followed before he was cast as Jack Brigance in the 1996 film "A Time to Kill" with Sandra Bullock. He won an MTV Movie Award for his role as Brigance for Best Breakthrough Performance Role.

That success helped him to land other leading roles including "Contact," "Amistad," "The Newton Boys," "Edtv," "U0571" and "Sahara."

McConaughey's personal life has also kept him in the headlines. His hobbies of surfing, swimming, biking and running has him continually showing off his shirtless six-pack abs to the press.

In 1999 he was arrested outside of his home in Austin, Texas on charges of possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. What made the headlines, however, was the fact that McConaughey was dancing around naked and playing the bongo drums when arrested.

The drug charges were dropped but the actor had to pay a $50 fine for violating the city's noise ordinance.

McConaughey is an avid Washington Redskins and University of Texas at Austin football fan. He also claims to be a fan of World Wrestling Entertainment and to have never missed an episode of "Monday Night RAW."

His romantic life had him linked to "A Time to Kill" co-star Bullock beginning in the early 90s. He was then linked with Ashley Judd, Salli Richardson and Penelope Cruz.

McConaughey dated Cruz for two years, after her much followed romance with actor Tom Cruise.

After ending his relationship with Cruz, who co-starred with him in "Sahara," he began dating Brazilian model Camila Alves. They announced in January 2008 that they are expecting a baby.