Why He's No. 90

Matthew McConaughey's first break came with his role in Dazed and Confused (1993), but he achieved substantial fame a few years later for his performances in A Time to Kill (1996), Amistad (1997) and Contact (1997). He returned to the limelight in 2005 with roles in Sahara and Two for the Money (2005).

Back Stage

McConaughey's reputation was battered somewhat thanks to an arrest on minor drug charges in 1999; responding to noise complaints, Austin police found the actor naked and stoned, playing bongo drums in his home at 3 a.m. During that same period, McConaughey embarked on treks to Mali and the Amazon, then took roles in movies like Edtv (1999), U-571 (2000), The Wedding Planner (2001), Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001), and Reign of Fire (2002). His career began an upward trajectory again after his appearance in the 2003 romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. He then starred in the adventure movie Sahara (2005), and traveled all over the country in an Airstream trailer to promote it.

That same year, McConaughey was also cast in Two for the Money (2005), playing a former football player who gets caught up in the world of high-stakes gambling. Shortly thereafter, he won roles in the romantic comedies Failure to Launch and The Loop, starring in the latter alongside fellow Sahara alum and girlfriend Penelope Cruz. Although McConaughey likes exotic travel and life on the road, he still calls Texas home, where he owns a 1600-acre ranch.

Forcaste

How could anyone not like Matthew McConaughey's down-home southern charm? We're also impressed by how he can square an honest and no-nonsense approach to life with an infectious sense of fun and adventure.