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Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson reveal ‘evidence’ that could prove they’re actually brothers

Home> Celebrity> News

Updated 15:24 21 Jan 2026 GMTPublished 10:30 20 Jan 2026 GMT

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson reveal ‘evidence’ that could prove they’re actually brothers

People have long suspected that the Hollywood actors may be related

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

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Matthew McConaughey has shared some further insight into his possible family ties to his True Detective co-star and close friend Woody Harrelson.

There has long been rumors that the celebrity pair are more than just pals, with some comments dating back to 2023.

Speaking at the time, Harrelson said that he had 'proof' that McConaughey might be his younger brother.

In an interview with Esquire, Harrelson claimed that McConaughey's father refused to go to the hospital with the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days actor's mom, Mary McCabe, telling her: "That ain’t my son."

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It's thought that McConaughey's mom had a brief fling with Harrelson's father, in which time the Interstellar star might have been conceived...

The pair have since discussed it further and at one point they were considering taking a DNA test.

Now McConaughey has talked about their possible blood ties at even more length on Harrelson's podcast with Ted Danson.

There's a chance that Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey are related (Omar Vega/Getty Images)
There's a chance that Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey are related (Omar Vega/Getty Images)

During the trio's chat, McConaughey recalled the night that questions were sparked about who his real dad is.

"Our kids have always thought we were brothers, or at least that we acted like brothers," he shared. "About eight years ago, we're in Greece with both our families and my mom's there as well, and I think [Harrelson's] kids pulled out some sort of picture from high school that was me and everyone looked at it and thought it was him."

The Dallas Buyers Club actor continued: "All of a sudden, out of nowhere, my mom, who was probably on her third glass of Kendall-Jackson, goes, 'Oh Woody, I knew... your father'.

"It was the perfect pause, ellipses as you like to put it, that even my young kids got the innuendo. [...] From that night on, this mystery has started."

Further on in the chat, McConaughey explained that Harrelson has always been excited at the prospect of them being brothers, but he's been a little less enthusiastic because, while he'll have gained a brother, McConaughey will have arguably lost a father.

The Hollywood duo are now working on a new series for AppleTV+ called Brothers.

The show is about their friendship and it being put to the test when their fictional families move in together into McConaughey's Texas ranch.

The pair will be starring as themselves but their 'families' will be portrayed by actors. The likes of Holland Taylor, Kingdom actress Natalie Martinez, and Hawaii 5-0's Brittany Ishibashi will also star.

The comedy series is yet to get a release date.

Featured Image Credit: Team Coco/YouTube

Topics: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Hollywood, Podcast, Celebrity, News

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

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@niamhshackleton

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