Why Matthew McConaughey Left Hollywood for Austin, Texas

For Matthew McConaughey, the decision to move back to Austin from Hollywood wasn’t just about a zip code change; it was about recentering his life.

Sitting down with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on TODAY, the 54-year-old actor delved into his reasons for leaving Los Angeles for the slower pace of his home state, Texas.

“This is where I have a great relationship with time,” he said, explaining how Austin feels grounded and real in a way that’s hard to find in Southern California. “Sixty seconds feels like a minute, a mile feels like a mile.”

Family First: The Heart of the Decision

While his lifestyle in Malibu was beautiful, McConaughey’s family roots in Texas are even deeper.

His mother, now 92, and his brothers are all based there, with homes in Houston and Midland.

McConaughey said it was a no-brainer to prioritize family connections and a sense of place for his kids.

For him and his wife, Camila Alves, the idea was always to raise their children close to family.

He wanted their kids—Levi, 15, Vida, 14, and Livingston, 11—to have what he had growing up.

“There’s a solid amount of common sense that runs through it,” McConaughey noted about Texas, adding that it’s something unspoken but understood.

This move also allowed the Dallas Buyers Club star to return to his own roots.

McConaughey grew up in Longview, Texas, and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he remains a dedicated Longhorns fan.

He’s often seen on the sidelines at games, passionately cheering on his alma mater.

Recently, when fans threw bottles on the field during a Longhorns game, McConaughey took to social media with a heartfelt reprimand, urging fans to keep things classy and “leave that kind of BS behind us for good.”

Austin: A Creative Oasis

In his words, Austin’s mantra has always been “Be You.” Unlike the typical expectations in Hollywood, McConaughey feels that Austin allows people to truly live as they are.

“This city is very creative in a state that’s very structured,” he explained. For McConaughey, this duality—a freedom to be yourself within a place known for its rooted values—gives Austin its unique energy.

Moving back also meant reconnecting with some beloved Texas traditions and rituals.

From Sunday church to family dinners around the table, these routines became part of the McConaughey-Alves household, forming a rhythm that keeps their family grounded.

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A Turning Point on a Texas Drive

Initially, the family hadn’t planned on making a permanent move back to Texas, but a family emergency changed their path.

Camila Alves shared with Southern Living how they temporarily relocated to help McConaughey’s mother and brothers, and it was during this time that she saw a profound shift in her husband.

“I noticed a peaceful but confident, energetic look” in him, she said.

It was a vibe that she hadn’t seen in Malibu, a place they loved but one where McConaughey had always seemed to carry a weight.

In Texas, that weight lifted. Alves remembers turning to him and saying, “You want to move here, don’t you?” to which he simply replied, “Yep.”

Texas Hospitality with a Brazilian Twist

For Alves, who grew up in Brazil, Texas has always felt like home.

The Southern culture she’s encountered—where manners like “Yes, ma’am” and “Yes, sir” are part of daily life—mirrors the values she grew up with.

Alves fell in love with Texas hospitality, where respect for elders and strong community ties reminded her of her upbringing.

Together, the couple found a way to merge these values, creating a home that reflects both of their roots and giving their children a sense of identity rooted in tradition.

The Power of Rituals

Back in Austin, McConaughey and Alves found that old family traditions naturally re-entered their lives.

McConaughey explained that “ritual came back” to their daily routine, whether that’s through attending Sunday church, sharing dinner as a family, or staying up late telling stories around the kitchen island.

He loves how these rituals create a sense of continuity, the feeling of family he remembers from his own upbringing.

For McConaughey, it’s the little things—the nightly storytelling, the shared meals, and even the silence that follows a day well-spent together—that make his Texas home feel complete.

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A Return to Roots, a Celebration of Individuality

McConaughey’s love for Austin is a blend of nostalgia and renewal. It’s a place that embraces creativity while maintaining a strong sense of tradition.

By moving his family back to Texas, McConaughey has returned to his roots, giving his children a taste of the same Texas warmth, respect, and resilience that he grew up with.

In Austin, he’s found a place that celebrates individuality and invites everyone to be exactly who they are.

After years of Hollywood’s high-intensity lifestyle, McConaughey and Alves are happy to call Austin home, knowing it’s a place that offers both the security of family and the freedom to live life their way.

And for McConaughey, it’s as simple as his mantra: “Just be you.”

Matthew McConaughey: Career Highlights

Conclusion

• For Matthew McConaughey, leaving Hollywood wasn’t about turning his back on success; it was about choosing a life that feels real and true.
• Austin’s laid-back yet creative spirit has given him and his family the balance they craved, with a deep sense of connection to both their past and their future.
• Surrounded by family, tradition, and Texas values, McConaughey has found a way to give his kids the grounding he grew up with, paired with the freedom to be themselves in a city that celebrates individuality.
• In Austin, he’s rediscovered a life where time slows down, connections grow stronger, and each day brings a sense of fulfillment.
• This homecoming has allowed McConaughey to reclaim what matters most to him, proving that success isn’t just about where you are, but about how you live.
• And for the McConaughey family, Austin, Texas, has become the perfect place to keep their roots strong and their spirits free.

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