Matthew McConaughey Shares His Near-Monk Life Path

Matthew McConaughey recently opened up about a significant moment in his life that could have taken him down a different road. During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the 56-year-old actor revealed that he seriously contemplated becoming a monk.

“I spent a year in Australia in ’88-’89, and even after that, I pursued it for another decade,” he shared, reflecting on the allure of a quiet, solitary existence.

McConaughey mentioned he had asked a friend who is a monk for advice on whether this lifestyle was right for him. His friend’s response? “That’s not what you came here for.”

His friends see him as a “communicator” and “storyteller,” someone who, they believe, should engage rather than withdraw from society. Kimmel humorously noted, “The monk told you to stop being a monk.”

McConaughey acknowledged that the conversation with the monk was pivotal for him. It made him realize that perhaps that life wasn’t meant for him, but he appreciated the possibility that there was still time to find his true calling.

From that point on, McConaughey became a celebrated actor, starring in hit films such as “Interstellar,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” ultimately earning an Academy Award.

Aside from his successful career, he met his wife, Camila Alves, and they have built a family together with three children: Levi, Vida, and Livingston. In his new book, *Poems and Prayers*, he humorously suggested that the secret to their 13-year marriage lies in their queen-sized bed. He later explained during an interview why he feels this way.

He recalled that when visiting friends who have larger beds, it often ends up being chaotic with the kids all piled in. He noted, “The wife has a side table on one side and the husband on the other. It’s great to have everyone in one bed, until they get too big and start taking up all the space.”

One morning, he remembered feeling as if Alves was “about a football field away” from him, a stark contrast to their usual closeness.

He finally concluded with a light-hearted remark about his choice of bed: “You, this king-sized bed, not good for marriage, man. Get rid of that. So I got a queen size that fits shoulder to shoulder. It’s good for your marriage.”