Matthew McConaughey playfully hinted that he and Woody Harrelson might be related, adding fuel to the rumors about their close friendship and a possible family connection.
The Academy Award-winning actor, age 56, posted a meaningful message on Instagram to celebrate the 65th birthday of the actress known for her role on ‘Cheers’ on Thursday.
McConaughey shared a throwback photo of himself hugging a friend and co-star, writing, ‘Like brothers from another mother? Happy birthday!’
It’s fitting that the actors are starring in a new Apple TV+ comedy called Brothers. The show features them as fictionalized versions of themselves, and their close relationship is tested when they discover a secret that could mean they’re actually brothers in real life.
The eight-episode, half-hour series premieres on September 23.
Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson have jokingly wondered if they’re brothers, according to Variety. Though McConaughey recently raised eyebrows with his appearance, and neither actor has taken a DNA test, they both seem to believe a family connection is possible.
The story began when Matthew McConaughey’s mother casually told Woody Harrelson she was familiar with his father, suggesting they had a romantic connection in West Texas years ago.
Matthew McConaughey was born in Uvalde, Texas, and Woody Harrelson was born in Midland, Texas – towns about 279 miles apart.
Afterward, the friends realized Woody Harrelson’s father – a man linked to many murders in the 1960s – had been temporarily released from prison around the same time Matthew McConaughey’s parents were going through their second divorce.
Woody Harrelson’s father, Charles Voyde Harrelson, was a professional hitman who was sentenced to life in prison for killing a judge in 1979.
Harrelson didn’t have much of a relationship with his father, who left when he was just seven years old.
I just couldn’t let go of Charles, even after everything. I actually went to see him when he was in prison – I visited as often as I could, right up until he passed away in 2007. It broke my heart, but I needed to be there for him, you know?
Woody Harrelson wants a definitive answer about something, but he’s been reluctant to investigate further because discovering the truth could drastically change everything he believes about his family and his upbringing.
Despite everything, this motivated them to make a new show—one where they’re both stars and producers.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new show begins with Woody’s daughter experiencing a broken engagement. As a result, he takes the whole family to spend a long period of time at his son Matthew’s ranch in Austin.
What starts as a relaxing trip for Matthew soon turns complicated when his mother, Ma Mac, reveals a surprising family secret: he and his friend might be brothers.
While Woody frantically searches for answers, Matthew unexpectedly faces a big decision – he might run for governor of Texas! This leads to a touching, crazy, and hilarious tale exploring themes of friendship, family, celebrity, and how easily legends can blur with what’s real.
Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, Noah Carganilla, Highdee Kuan, and Oona Yaffe also appear in the series.
Woody Harrelson married Laura Louie in 2008. They first met nearly ten years earlier while she was working as his assistant on the TV show Cheers. Together, they have three daughters: Deni, age 32, Zoe, age 29, and Makani, age 20.
Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves have been married since 2012 and share three kids: Levi, who is 18, Vida, 16, and Livingston, 13.
Matthew McConaughey shared on the Let’s Talk Off Camera podcast in 2023 that his children refer to Woody Harrelson as ‘Uncle Woody,’ and Harrelson’s kids call McConaughey ‘Uncle Matthew.’ He explained that people often mistake them for each other in photos, with both of their families sometimes misidentifying who is who.
2026-07-24 03:07