Matthew McConaughey leaves glitzy Hollywood behind to embrace Texas lifestyle, here's why

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a move that diverged from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Matthew McConaughey has embraced his Texas roots, opting for a life that prioritizes family, rituals, and a connection to his home state.

The Oscar-winning actor, alongside his wife Camila Alves, decided to leave their Malibu life behind for a more grounded existence in Austin, Texas.

Matthew McConaughey moves to Texas for family connection

This decision, as revealed in a recent interview, was spurred by a family crisis that brought them to Austin and led to an epiphany about where they wanted to raise their family.

“This has always been home, there are multiple reasons for that,” McConaughey shared on the podcast 'Today.' 

The couple appreciated the slower pace of life, the sense of community, and the return to simple, ritualistic living that Texas offered.

McConaughey, a native Texan, has always felt a deep pull towards his birthplace, and the move allowed him to reconnect with his roots and provide a stable, enriching environment for his children.

“This is where I have a great relationship with time. Meaning 60 seconds feels like a minute, a mile feels like a mile. I like to live in a place and for a home to be a place where I have a good relationship with time,” he said.

McConaughey mentioned that his "family unit is here" in Texas, encompassing his 92-year-old mother and his two elder brothers.

The actor elaborated that he intended to return once he was prepared to start a family with his wife, New York Post reports.

“I wanted them to have what I grew up around. There’s a solid amount of common sense that runs through it, it’s untalked about, but we understand it here,” he added.

McConaughey also emphasized his value on the "resources" and the "backbone of security" present in his home state.

Matthew McConaughey says he almost quit films as well 

Matthew McConaughey did not only consider moving back to Texas, he even almost quit Hollywood when he was at his peak doing romantic comedies. 

"I’ve usually zigged when I felt like Hollywood wanted me to zag," the actor admitted to 'Twisters' star Glen Powell for an article in Interview magazine.

"When I had my rom-com years, there was only so much bandwidth I could give to those, and those were some solid hits for me. But I wanted to try some other stuff. Of course, I wasn’t getting it, so I had to leave Hollywood for two years."

McConaughey considered leaving acting altogether after the 'break' scared him about his future. He debated pursuing a completely different career, which included becoming a teacher, a conductor, or a wildlife guide.