Matthew McConaughey reveals his 94 year old mom was kicked out of bars with Woody Harrelson

The actor also credited his mother for the warmth and confidence behind his role in ‘The Rivals of Amziah King’

Matthew McConaughey has shared an unexpected story about his mother, revealing that the 94 year old has been kicked out of two bars after smoking weed with his longtime friend and True Detective co-star Woody Harrelson.

The actor made the revelation during an appearance at the Arkansas Cinema Society’s Filmland festival in Little Rock on August 14, where he joined director Jeff Nichols for a wide ranging conversation about his career and his latest film, The Rivals of Amziah King. The story emerged while McConaughey was discussing his mother and the qualities that helped inspire his performance in the film.

According to MovieMaker, McConaughey described his mother as someone who has always been able to lift the spirits of her children. He recalled how she would encourage him and his two brothers whenever they were feeling sad, insecure or lacking confidence.

"She was one who, if me or my two brothers, whenever we were sad or weren’t confident or insecure about something, she’s really good about grabbing you, literally raising you in the air and celebrating you until you’re out of your head and you believe you’re worth something," McConaughey said.

He then offered a very different example of her personality, turning to her social life and friendship with Harrelson.

"She’s been kicked out of two bars for smoking weed with Woody Harrelson," McConaughey said, according to MovieMaker.

The anecdote quickly stood out during a conversation that otherwise centred heavily on McConaughey’s acting career, his approach to filmmaking and his return to the big screen in The Rivals of Amziah King. The actor has maintained a close friendship with Harrelson for decades, with the pair becoming particularly associated with their work together on HBO’s True Detective.

McConaughey's comments also provided insight into why he considers his mother an inspiration for Amziah, the character he plays in Nichols' new film. Amziah is portrayed as a charismatic figure who encourages people around him to step into situations where they can become heroes. McConaughey saw a similar quality in his own mother, particularly in the way she encouraged her children when they doubted themselves.

The conversation took place during McConaughey’s appearance at FILMLAND, where he reunited with Nichols. The director and actor have a long professional relationship dating back to Mud, Nichols’ 2012 drama starring McConaughey alongside Tye Sheridan, Sam Shepard and Reese Witherspoon.

McConaughey's appearance also marked a significant moment for The Rivals of Amziah King, his first film in five years. In the film, he plays Amziah King, a beekeeper and musician living in rural Oklahoma whose life becomes complicated when a young woman returns to his world.

The actor spent much of his Filmland discussion reflecting on his approach to acting. He said he values the spontaneity of first takes because performers are responding to their surroundings without knowing exactly what will happen next. He also discussed working with directors including Richard Linklater, John Sayles, Joel Schumacher, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan.