Matthew McConaughey reveals Woody Harrelson turns surprise Texas home visits into 3-month stays

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Woody Harrelson has an unusual way of visiting longtime friend Matthew McConaughey, often arriving at his Texas home without warning and sometimes staying far longer than expected. 

The actors discussed their close friendship and relationships with each other’s families at the Los Angeles premiere of their new Apple TV comedy series 'Brothers' on Thursday, September 17.

Woody Harrelson makes himself at home at Matthew McConaughey’s ranch

During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at the Hammer Museum, McConaughey joked that one of Harrelson’s “great traits” is that he “always shows up unannounced.” According to McConaughey, Harrelson never comes through the front door and may simply stop by for an hour to say, “Howdy!” before unexpectedly extending his visit.

“It might turn into, ‘I’ve moved in for three months,’” he said, adding that it is “a beautiful trait” how Harrelson makes himself at home. Although the surprise visits can sometimes catch him off guard, McConaughey said his family enjoys having Harrelson around.

“There are times when I’m like, ‘Man, Woody, I need some space,’ and my whole family’s like, ‘No, don’t let Woody go. We’ve been staying up later having more milkshakes,’ whatever,” the 'Interstellar' star said, adding, “The laughter’s been in the house a while.”

McConaughey, who returned to his home state of Texas in 2014 after wanting to move away from Hollywood, said that with Harrelson’s visits, “You never know,” but added that “that’s part of our friendship.” Harrelson, who attended the premiere with his wife Laura Louie, said of McConaughey, “Yeah, he tolerates it.”

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson discuss their families

The friendship between McConaughey and Harrelson also extends to their children. Harrelson shares three daughters with Louie, and McConaughey shares sons Levi and Livingston, and daughter Vida with his wife of 14 years, Camila Alves McConaughey.

“Oh, I love his kids. His kids are truly amazing,” Harrelson told PEOPLE and added, “He’s a great dad.” McConaughey also described his relationship with Harrelson’s daughters, saying they sometimes sit down for one-on-one conversations when he encounters them.

“I’m always remembering we’ve known each other for that long. You’ve seen me and your dad. Then I can have a solo conversation. I could talk to him like an uncle, and it’s very cool,” he said.

Their friendship is also central to 'Brothers', in which the two actors play fictionalized versions of themselves while exploring real-life speculation that they could potentially share a biological father. McConaughey has previously said his mother, Mary Kathlene "Kay" McConaughey, started the rumor.

In the series, Harrelson brings his family to McConaughey’s Austin ranch after his daughter’s engagement falls apart. The extended stay takes a dramatic turn when McConaughey’s mother, Ma Mac, portrayed by Holland Taylor, accidentally reveals a decades-old secret suggesting the two friends could be half-siblings.