Join us in wishing Matthew McConaughey a very happy birthday by learning all about his life. | Photo by David Torcivia
Austin, please join us in wishing local legend, jack-of-all-trades, and Minister of Culture Matthew McConaughey a happy 55th birthday.
We want to celebrate him by honoring his life with 55 facts — one for every year of life. We did the same thing for Willie Nelson, so we figured it was about time to talk about one of the biggest celebrities in town.
McConaughey was born on November 4, 1969, in Uvalde, Texas.
McConaughey enrolled at UT Austin in the fall of 1989 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television-Film in the spring of 1993.
McConaughey met casting director and producer Don Phillips — who would later introduce him to director Richard Linklater — at a hotel bar in 1992.
McConaughey’s most iconic “Dazed and Confused” line — “alright, alright, alright” — was improvised on the spot and inspired by Jim Morrison.
He slept on Philips’ couch for a while after moving to Hollywood, and said the casting director fed him filet mignon and vanilla ice cream every night.
While renting a house in Austin’s Tarrytown neighborhood in 1999, McConaughey was arrested. Officers found him naked, smoking marijuana, and playing bongos in his home.
For his 2013 role in “Dallas Buyers Club,” McConaughey lost 50 pounds to appear sickly.
Shortly after receiving his star, the McConaughey family moved back to Austin full-time.
In 2020, McConaughey published his memoir, “Greenlights.”
McConaughey famously sang an improvised song, “Bless the Mood,” at the grand opening of the Moody Center on April 19, 2022 — both City Editor Figi and Managing Editor London were in the audience.
From left to right City Editor Figi, Matthew McConaughey (yes, really), and Figi’s fiancé Matt.
Photo by ATXtoday
City Editor Figi met McConaughey on his birthday in 2023 at a Longhorn tailgate.
Wurstfest | Now-Sunday, Nov. 10 | Times vary | 120 Landa St., New Braunfels | Cost of purchase | Celebrate German culture through good food, live music, dancing, Steinholding competitions, and of course — lots of beer.
HOME Series - BMI Night | 6 p.m. | The Saxon Pub | $15 | See Ray Benson and Mitch Ballard at this event benefiting HOME, a local organization providing housing assistance for musicians in need.
Tuesday, Nov. 5
DECISION 2024 - Election Night Watch Party | 5 p.m.-3 a.m. | The Volstead Lounge | Cost of purchase | Expect themed cocktails, election games, DJs, and big-screen election analysis on the patio.
Presidential Trivia with Trivia512 | 8 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | Boast your knowledge of American Commanders in Chief past and present — and get a discount on your tab when you show your “I Voted” sticker.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
Vinyasa Flow with Collette | 10-11 a.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden | $15 | Take advantage of the cooler weather in Austin with an outdoor yoga session for beginners and experts alike.
Last month was the hottest October in Austin history, and the second-driest on record. With an average temperature of 78.1°, October 2024 beat the second-place month, October 1931, by a full degree. Plus, there was only one day of measurable rain. (KXAN)
Community
The new Cedar Park Public Library officially opened its doors on Friday, Nov. 1. Located in the Bell District, the library spans 47,000 sqft across two stories and features a makerspace, a playhouse, a pollinator garden, and a lawn dedicated to event space.
Number
$20.3 million. That’s how much the U.S. Department of Energy will invest in building an electric vehicle battery recycling facility — to be run by Canada-based Moment Energy — in Taylor. The recycled batteries will likely be used for off-grid energy generation. (KUT)
Watch
A “King of the Hill” reboot is in the works and voice actor Grey Delisle posted a first look at Bobby Hill as an adult. The revival will take place around 10 years after the original series, which was co-created by Austin resident Mike Judge, and premiere on Hulu in 2025. (KVUE)
Ranking
California. That’s where most out-of-state people moving to Texas came from during the 2022 tax year. The Golden State was followed by Florida, Lousiana, New York, and Colorado, according to SmartAsset.
Sports
Texas returned to the top five of the Associated Press Top 25 college football rankings after Ohio State won against Penn State over the weekend. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Selling your home? Promote your listing where buyers will see it — right here in this newsletter (in as little as two days).
The Buy
The Buy
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I’ve read “Greenlights,” and my favorite part is a scene in which he describes wrestling — and winning — against a man named Michel in Mali. Having been defeated, Michel walked McConaughey 15 miles to the next village, shaking his hand the entire time.
I wanted to ask him about it when I met him, but I didn’t have the opportunity. I’ll just have to ask next time I see him.
Answered
Answered
Last week, we asked you why Austin is called “Violet Crown City.”
Y’all sure are smart. Out of hundreds of respondents, 90% of you guessed correctly: the hills turn purple at sunset during the winter.
