Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey has shared a heartfelt birthday message for his mother, Mary 'Kay' McCabe, celebrating her 94th year. The Oscar-winning actor posted a joyful snapshot with his mother, affectionately known as 'MaMac', and his 17-year-old son Levi, captioning it: 'Proof that 94 years of joy ages well.'
A Unique Mother-Son Bond
The 56-year-old actor, who boasts a social media following of 24.7 million, shares his expansive $6 million seven-bedroom mansion in Austin, Texas, with his mother. Their close relationship, however, weathered a notable storm. McConaughey revealed to People magazine last September that they endured an eight-year period of limited communication.
'I had to have short conversations with her on our Sunday phone calls because she was sharing a lot of that information,' he confessed. 'I'd tell her something on Sunday between son and mom, and Tuesday I'd read about it in the news.' This 'hiatus' only ended once McConaughey felt secure enough in his own fame and now happily lets her 'tell all the raunchiest things' she wants on red carpets.
From Kindergarten Teacher to Silver Screen
Kay, a former kindergarten teacher and author of Poems & Prayers, has led a colourful life. She famously married and divorced McConaughey's father, James, three times before his death from a heart attack in 1992 at age 62. Her son has even tried his hand at matchmaking for her; in 2020, he and co-star Hugh Grant conspired to set her up on a blind date with Grant's then 91-year-old father.
McConaughey has also helped bring her talents to the screen. He used his influence to get director Paul Greengrass to cast Kay as his character's mother, Sherry, in the Apple TV+ thriller The Lost Bus last year. His son Levi also featured in the film. 'I wanted to be in acting as long as I can remember,' Kay said of the experience.
Family Celebrations and Future Projects
The birthday tribute comes amid other family milestones. Just days before, McConaughey and his wife of 13 years, Camila Alves, celebrated their daughter Vida's sweet 16th birthday. The Brazilian model and founder of Women of Today shared an emotional Instagram post, calling Vida 'The kindest heart.' The couple are also parents to a 13-year-old son, Livingston.
Professionally, McConaughey shows no signs of slowing down. On December 18, Deadline reported he is 'in negotiations' to star alongside Zoe Saldaña in Daniel Roher's Netflix romantic caper, Positano. His other upcoming projects include:
- Voicing the 2027 video game Exodus.
- An Apple TV+ series with Woody Harrelson.
- The Black Bear drama The Rivals of Amziah King.
- Two projects directed by Nic Pizzolatto.
From his breakout role as David Wooderson in 1993's Dazed and Confused to his current status as a Hollywood A-lister, Matthew McConaughey's journey remains deeply intertwined with his unique and spirited family, with his 94-year-old mother Kay firmly at its heart.
