For Matthew McConaughey, acting has become a family affair.
Indeed, the 55-year-old reflected on what it was like starring alongside his 17-year-old son Levi McConaughey for his feature film acting debut as well as his mom Kay McConaughey, 93, during the world premiere of their film The Lost Bus at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
“He’s introducing himself and I happen to be alongside him and in some of the same scenes of him which is pretty cool,” Matthew exclusively told E! News’ Francesca Amiker of his son during a Sept. 5 joint interview. “Three generations. My mother has always been a performer and so she’s been films. I had no idea he was even interested.”
And because wasn’t sure his son was serious about launching his acting career, the Interstellar star—who was also joined by his wife Camila Alves on the red carpet—had initially ignored Levi’s requests to audition for the role of his onscreen son.
“He came back four times asking me, ‘Can I read for it?” Matthew recalled, adding that he soon after pitched the idea to the casting director. “They got him on camera, read for it and I said ‘Wow, he can hold the frame, he’s got the instinct for it.’”
So, they decided to put the decision in the hands of director Paul Greengrass.
“They send it to the director and they say, ‘If we do that, let’s take the name off—my last name off—to send to the director,’” Matthew explained. “And Paul looks at it and says, ‘That’s the kid!’”
As for how Levi reacted to landing his debut role in the intense wildfire drama? Well, he was completely taken by surprise.
“I knew it was a good audition and I was like, ‘OK. This is good,’” he told E! “But I did not think I was going to get the part.”
“I’ve never acted before, especially on this level, and so I got the call,” he continued. “I remember my dad gets the call and he handed me the phone and I’m like, ‘Okay?’ And it’s the director Paul Greengrass and he goes, “Hey bud, how would you like to come over to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and play Shaun?’ And I was like, ‘What??’”
And though the teenager tried to play it cool at first, Levi could only keep it together for a few moments until he was overwhelmed with emotions.
“I was trying not to start crying on the phone so I was like, ‘Yeah, that would be amazing. Thank you so much. This is great,’” he recalled. “I hang up the phone and I started crying.”
Along with three generations of talented McConougheys, keep reading for more stars who made an appearance at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival…
Kyla Weber and Vince Vaughn
The couple attended the world premiere of Easy’s Waltz at TIFF.
Austen Rydell & Billie Lourd
The Booksmart actress and her husband got a VIP Table at the Adulthood premiere party, sponsored by Campari and RodeoFX.
Alexandra Shipp
The actress made a red carpet appearance at the TIFF premiere of Glenrothan.
Brian Cox
Attended the Toronto International Film Festival for the premiere of his directorial debut, Glenrothan.
Matt Dillon
The There's Something About Mary star hit the Toronto International Film Festival for the premiere of The Fence, taking on the lead role.
Natalie Portman
The Oscar-winning actress spoke onstage as Collider Media launched its TIFF studio activation at the Campari Cinema Center in Toronto on Sept. 6.
Simon Rex
The actor attended the premiere party for Easy's Waltz, sponsored by Campari and Rodeo FX.
Jeon Jong-seo
Known for her breakout role in Burning, the South Korean actress attended TIFF for the premiere of Project Y as a member of the ensemble cast.
Kaya Scodelario
The Skins alum was pretty in pink at the Adulthood premiere party at Discreta sponsored by Campari and Rodeo FX.
Tom Blyth
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes actor walked the red carpet at TIFF for the premiere of The Fence.
Dylan Sprouse
The former Disney Channel star arrived in style for Latigo Films' screening party for The Neglected during TIFF at the Campari Cinema Center.
Marijke Desouza, Ishaan Khatter, Neeraj Ghaywan, Janhvi Kapoor, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor
The director, cast, and crew attended TIFF for the premiere of Homebound.
Channing Tatum
The Roofman star visited the Collider Media Studio at the Campari Cinema Center in Toronto on Sept. 6.
Han So-hee
Representing the cast of Project Y, the South Korean actress made an appearance at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival for the film’s world premiere.
Felicity Jones
The Theory of Everything and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story actress looked radiant in a fiery red gown featuring a classic a sculpted neckline, bold side cutouts, and a sleek, form-fitting design, all elevated by a sweeping, statement cape.
Toni Collette
Wearing a cream Zimmermann ensemble featuring a hypnotic appliqué bodice and matching midi skirt, the actress turned heads at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Wayward.
Ben Petrie, Grace Glowicki, Dusty Machinelli, Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Julian Richings, Patricia Tulasne, Jesse LaVercombe and Ahmed Moneka
The director, cast, crew, and guests arrived at TIFF on September 10 for the premiere of Honey Bunch.
Sarah Gadon
She stepped out in an army green and black checkered dress for the TIFF premiere of Wayward on Sept. 9.
Maude Apatow & Tessa Thompson
The actresses were the guests of honor at The IMDb Dinner Party at KOST in Toronto on Sept. 8.
Catherine O'Hara
The actress known for Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and Schitt’s Creek dazzled in an Alberta Ferretti gown at the TIFF Tribute Awards during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
Joel Edgerton
The actor from the Star Wars prequels Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith arrived at TIFF looking effortlessly stylish in an all-black ensemble.
Amanda Seyfried
She stunned in a black off-the-shoulder A-line cocktail midi dress, elegantly graced with delicate, flower-shaped gemstones, at the TIFF premiere of The Testament of Ann Lee on Sept. 9.
Mona Fastvold
On the red carpet ahead of the TIFF premiere of The Testament of Ann Lee, she wore a black satin, high-neck, sleeveless gown featuring a structured bodice.
Park Jeong-min, Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Hyun-been, Yeon Sang-ho, Han Ji-hyeon and Im Seong-jae
The director and cast of The Ugly attended the film's premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
Lewis Pullman
Top Gun: Maverick and Bad Times at the El Royale star posed in a tan double-breasted two-piece suit at TIFF on Sept. 9 for the premiere of The Testament of Ann Lee.
Lily James
At the 2025 TIFF premiere of Swiped, the actress stunned in a black satin-back crepe gown by 16Arlington.
Georgia Grace Macy and William H. Macy
The father-daughter duo attended the world premiere of Train Dreams at TIFF on Sept. 9.
Colin Farrell
The Oscar-winning actor arrived at the Ballad of a Small Player premiere impeccably dressed in a pinstriped two-piece double breasted suit.
Fala Chen
Radiant in red, the Chinese-American actress graced the TIFF premiere of Ballad of a Small Player.
Scarlett Johansson
She attended the Eleanor the Great premiere in a custom Valentino gown by Alessandro Michele, paired with Prada sandals and Messika jewelry.