During a chat with Glen Powell, the famous 54-year-old actor reveals how a hiatus from Hollywood led him to question his career and consider a drastic change.
- June 20, 2024
AceShowbiz - In a recent interview with Glen Powell, 54-year-old Matthew McConaughey opened up about a "scary" two-year hiatus he took from Hollywood. The actor had grown weary of being typecast in romantic comedies and felt a need to reinvent his career.
"When I had my rom-com years, there was only so much bandwidth I could give to those," McConaughey told Interview Magazine. "I wanted to try some other stuff." However, he faced resistance from the industry. "Of course I wasn't getting it, so I had to leave Hollywood for two years."
During his hiatus, McConaughey had doubts about his acting career. He had "long talks" with his wife, Camila Alvez McConaughey, about finding a new vocation. He considered teaching high school, studying music conducting, or becoming a wildlife guide.
McConaughey admitted that he felt a sense of insignificance during his break. "I honestly thought, 'I stepped out of Hollywood. I got out of my lane.' " He recalled Hollywood's dismissive response: "'Well, f**k you, dude. You should have stayed in your lane. Later.' "
Despite the uncertainty, McConaughey remained determined. "I made up my mind that that's what I needed to do," he said. "I didn't know if I was ever going to get out of the desert."
After returning to Texas, McConaughey began to take on more serious roles, such as "The Lincoln Lawyer", "Mud", "True Detective" and "Dallas Buyers Club". The latter film earned him an Oscar in 2014.
Reflecting on his hiatus, McConaughey admitted that it was a challenging but necessary period. "It was scary," he said. "But I think in my heart I knew that I needed to do something different to stay true to myself and my craft as an actor."
