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Matthew McConaughey Defines Fatherhood as Success

Photo via Good Morning America/YouTube

Matthew McConaughey Finds Success in Fatherhood

By Jessilyn Lancaster, Managing Editor

Matthew McConaughey may have an Oscar win (among other entertainment industry awards) under his belt, but that’s not how he defines his worth.

Instead, the church-going actor says it’s being a father that he considers one of the greatest honors in life.

“The only thing I ever knew I wanted to be was a father,” he said. “And it’s remained the pinnacle for me. Being a dad was always my only dream. … I can’t think of anything being more important.”

In his new memoir, McConaughey remembers how he first came to this conclusion.

“I was meeting some of his new friends, looking up at them and shaking their hands, and saying, ‘Nice to meet you, sir.'” he said. “In my 8-year-old mind, what I noticed at that time, was every man that I had said ‘sir’ to — the common denominator was they were all fathers, and I remember saying, ‘That’s when you’ve made it. That’s when you’ve succeeded in life, when you become a father.'”

His own father left a huge impact on his life, McConaughey said.

“He really instilled values in myself and my two brothers, values that I know I wouldn’t be sitting here, the man I am with the life that I’ve got, if he wouldn’t have worked to instill,” the actor told GOOD MORNING AMERICA. 

Though McConaughey’s father has now died, the star still spends time with his mother.

“Well, my mom’s 88. We’re pretty good at [doing] puzzles together [and] she really likes it when I take her on hikes. She’s in really good shape [and] she can climb mountains – a lot of time I have to hold her hand now because of her balance, but…we go on hikes, talk about life together and that’s the way we catch up,” McConaughey said.

Though many of McConaughey’s movies are not acceptable for families, we applaud him for instilling faith in his children. 

Watch the video to see more from McConaughey.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.