Matthew McConaughey is more than alright, alright, alright about his decision.
Before the Oscar winner earned awards for projects like True Detective and Dallas Buyers Club, he made his name in a slew of romantic comedies during the earlier aughts. And while films like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days paid the bills, the genre ultimately led to his departure from Hollywood in 2010.
"I was the rom-com dude and that was my lane," Matthew shared on the Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios podcast Nov. 20. "It was working. But I was so strong in that lane that anything outside of that lane that I wanted to do, Hollywood said, 'No, no, no. You stay right there.'"
"Since I couldn't do what I wanted to do, I stopped doing what I was doing and I moved down to the ranch in Texas," the Magic Mike actor—who married Camila Alves in 2012—continued. "I went there and made a pact with my wife and said, 'I'm not going back to work unless I get offered roles I want to do.'"
Reflecting on the state of his career was what he needed to set his boundaries.
"The devil's in the infinite yeses, not the nos," Matthew explained. "'No' is just as important, if not more important. Especially if you have some level of success and access. No becomes more important than 'yes.'"
"We all look around and see we've overleveraged our life with yeses and go, 'Geez, oh, man, I'm making C minuses and all that s--t in my life because I said yes to too many things,'" he continued. "I had many times in my life where I'm going, 'Man, I'm going through autopilot right now.' and I may be thinking I'm handling everything alright but I don't feel any of it. I've had times in my life where I've said, 'Nope. Full stop.'"
Although the 55-year-old—who shares kids Levi, 16, Vida, 14, and Livingston, 11, with Camila—doesn't regret drawing his line in the stand, he admits that two years after starring in 2009's Ghosts of Girlfriends Past were "wobbly."
For Matthew, expecting his eldest was what he needed as he came to terms with his choice.
"There was purpose coming to look forward to," he recalled of the time. "But I was still like, 'Man's gotta work.' I've got to craft. Making chimes and working in the garden wasn't cutting it."
Even so, the Interstellar star said he even turned down a multi-million dollar action comedy film during that time to pursue more serious projects.
"You start to see and make sense of the world through the lens of having children," he told E! News last September. "And evidently, I have some dreams through that lens as well."
And he's even learned some essential skills from his kids. "Levi continues to teach me consideration," he added. "He's an extremely considerate young man and I appreciate that about him."
Meanwhile, Livingston "reminds me of the power of absolute singular focus. When he's got a project, whether it's a sport or homework or drawing, he zeroes in and the rest of the world is gone." As for Vida? He added, "She's a real peacemaker."
Now, read on for sweet looks at Matthew and Camila's family.
"You start to see and make sense of the world through the lens of having children," he told E! News last September. "And evidently, I have some dreams through that lens as well."
And he's even learned some essential skills from his kids. "Levi continues to teach me consideration," he added. "He's an extremely considerate young man and I appreciate that about him."
Meanwhile, Livingston "reminds me of the power of absolute singular focus. When he's got a project, whether it's a sport or homework or drawing, he zeroes in and the rest of the world is gone." As for Vida? He added, "She's a real peacemaker."
Now, read on for sweet looks at Matthew and Camila's family.
Thrill Rides
The McConaughey crew visited Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles for a rare family outing in June 2025.
Group of Gala-Goers
The Oscar winner, his wife and their three kids coordinated outfits while attending the Mack, Jack & McConaughey Gala together in Austin, Texas in April 2025.
Look Up
Camila and Livingston checked out the solar exclipse in April 2024.
Family First
Levi shared this family photo in honor of his dad's birthday 54th birthday in 2023, writing on Instagram, "People know Matthew Mcconaughey as an Actor and now a writer, but I know him as my father."
Baller Lifestyle
Matthew and Livingston met Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green in November 2023.
Paris Fashion Week
This family time at Paris Fashion Week was magnifique!
Braving Waves
"Surf souvenirs," Matthew captioned this March 2023 pic of son Levi.
Hairy Situation
The Oscar winner gave Livingston a haircut as Levi looked on in February 2023.
Best Uncle
"Uncle @woodyharrelson is questioning if the cake is vegan or not!!!" Camila wrote on Instagram in January 2023 for her and Matthew's daughter Vida's 13th birthday. "How does this go people! Time flies… 13! You are my ray of sunshine Vida!!!"
Going Camping
In December 2022, Camila wrote, "We get the trailer they are responsible for the tent… #ontheroad."
Reading Time
"Kids reading time by the fire!" Camila wrote in December 2022. "Fun book @reesewitherspoon !! Ladies and gentlemen if you don't have it time to get it! Great gift too!"
The Trio
Matthew McConaughey and wife Camilla Alves McConaughey's kids Livingston, Vida and Levi pose for a 2022 pic.
The Gang's All Here
"The man who always makes time for us no matter what, the man who’s always there for us no matter what," Levi continued in his birthday tribute, and the man that taught me to appreciate the journey and not just the destination."
He added, "The journeys just getting started…Happy birthday Papai."
Red Carpet Ready
The whole family was dressed to impress at the 2019 Texas Medal Of Arts Awards in Austin, Texas.
Too Cool
Livingston lived it up in a pair of sunglasses, with mom Camila writing on instagram, "Going thru photos and finding all kinds of photos taken by the kids!"
Play Time
"We know we love them," Camila jokingly captioned this action shot of her three kids, "and they love us deep down under all…a cupcake, a pie, a card, a phone call."
Star Power
Matthew and his family attended his Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in 2014.
Family Night
Matthew brought his family to the 2014 Mack, Jack & McConaughey Gala.
Batter Up
The couple and their kids Levi and Vida caught a baseball game between the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.