RENAISSANCE MAN
YOU South Africa|5 October 2023
He's reinvented himself as a heavyweight actor and bestselling author - but Matthew McConaughey says it's his role as a dad that's his greatest achievement 
KESHIA AFRICA
RENAISSANCE MAN

THE romcom hunk who made many a woman swoon. The guy who lived in a trailer park. The dude who was arrested for playing bongo drums in the nude while under the influence. The man who made "Alright, alright, alright" a catchphrase.

Matthew McConaughey's early forays into fame are certainly a far cry from where he is now.

These days he's known for far more for being a respected Oscar-winning actor, a doting dad and devoted husband and a bestselling author - than an easy-on-the-eye layabout.

It's been a decade since Matthew spoke about his "McConaissance" as he tried to reinvent himself then - but it seems he's only now well and truly enjoying that renaissance.

His latest project, a kids' book called Just Because, follows on the success of his memoir, Greenlights. It was inspired by discussions with his children, Levi (15), Vida (13) and Livingston (10), and within less than two weeks had jumped to the top of the bestseller lists.

"As a dad, you think about your kids all the time, Matthew says. "I'd been having conversations with my children about certain new things that they experienced for the first time."

Written in playful rhyming couplets, it imparts all kinds of wisdom that Matthew (53) says he wishes he'd known when he was younger.

"Just because you can pull it off, doesn't mean that you should do it," reads one.

"Just because you failed, doesn't mean that you blew it, is another.

Matthew says when he and his wife, Camila Alves (41), hang out with friends and discussions turn to parenting, his pals often compliment him on his approach.

"We'll be sitting around as parents, talking, and sometimes people will go, 'Hey, that's a great way of saying what you just said. I'm going to use that with my own kids. I like the way that you threw that off, how you informalised that very formal-feeling lesson."

Denne historien er fra 5 October 2023-utgaven av YOU South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra 5 October 2023-utgaven av YOU South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA YOU SOUTH AFRICASe alt
IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY
YOU South Africa

IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY

Lynn and Kairo Forbes invite us into their home as they prepare for their second Christmas without AKA

time-read
3 mins  |
19 December 2024
DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY
YOU South Africa

DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY

Expensive wine was his weakness but these days the legendary Hollywood actor is all about clean living

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024
WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD
YOU South Africa

WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD

It was a dream come true for Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse when they ran out together for the Boks – but it was bittersweet too

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024
HIP-HOPPING ALONG!
YOU South Africa

HIP-HOPPING ALONG!

Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo, is about to become an even bigger star thanks to a catchy new song released in her honour

time-read
4 mins  |
19 December 2024
IAM NO DIFFERENT
YOU South Africa

IAM NO DIFFERENT

Despite being born without legs, Kanya Sesser truimphs at anything she sets her mind to

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024
OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD
YOU South Africa

OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD

Bizarre and beautiful spots exist off the well-worn tourist paths that criss-cross our precious planet

time-read
3 mins  |
19 December 2024
GOD'S INFLUENCER
YOU South Africa

GOD'S INFLUENCER

After Carlo Acutis died at age 15, he was credited with performing miracles. Now the Italian is about to be canonised as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. But what did the seemingly ordinary teenager do that was so special?

time-read
10+ mins  |
19 December 2024
RUCK ON!
YOU South Africa

RUCK ON!

Rucking walking with a weighted rucksack - has gained popularity once again for its ability to improve your heart health, increase your strength and burn kilojoules fast

time-read
4 mins  |
19 December 2024
MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON
YOU South Africa

MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON

This Cape Town mom is determined to lose 50kg so she can give her boy the gift of life

time-read
2 mins  |
19 December 2024
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
YOU South Africa

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

She's been deaf since she.was a baby but now Chermelle ;s slowly startmg to hear thanks to a Cochlear Implant

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024