During a recent two-day MJ&M charity event in Austin—organized by the McConaugheys along with football coach Mack Brown and singer-songwriter Jack Ingram—Camila McConaughey shared with PEOPLE that her 16-year-old son, Levi, has started to take a real interest in acting.
“Levi, our oldest, is getting into acting now—actually, it’s more than just dabbling,” Camila said at the event. “He’s always been around the industry, whether helping out behind the scenes, working on sets, or doing music-related tasks while traveling with Matthew for work.”
But, now, Levi is stepping into the spotlight himself.
“He landed a role in one of Matthew McConaughey’s films, The Lost Bus, and that opened the door for other auditions,” Camila said. “He really went after it. He did all the work and got the next role on his own merit.”
She continued, “It was amazing to witness. He went through multiple auditions, had a number of meetings, and eventually had to show up in person. He earned it. He now has a legitimate role in a film called Way of the Warrior Kid, which stars Chris Pratt.”
Over time, the McConaugheys have been open about their approach to parenting their three kids—Levi, 16, Vida, 15, and Livingston, 12. Back in June 2020, they spoke to Town & Country about raising their family, where Matthew described himself as “more often the yes parent” between the two.
He said, “Sometimes love means giving your kids what they ask for. Other times, it means holding firm. Wealthy families can give their kids everything, but that’s not the same as giving them what they really need. Loving your children deeply often means making the hard choices.”
In an April 2024 interview with PEOPLE, Matthew also reflected on fatherhood’s impact on his work. “Being a dad has absolutely made me a better actor,” he said. “Children see the world with fresh eyes, and their questions come from a genuine place.”
Referencing his time on HBO’s True Detective, he explained, “I couldn’t tell them what the show was really about because it wasn’t appropriate for their age, so I had to get creative—tell them the story through metaphor. It challenged me to become a better storyteller, to simplify good versus evil in a way they could grasp.”
Levi also made an appearance at the premiere of Matthew’s latest movie, The Rivals of Amziah King, held at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin. During his first-ever red carpet interview, he spoke about his acting debut in Way of the Warrior Kid, a coming-of-age film.
Asked whether his dad gave him any tips for his first acting role, Levi shared that Matthew had indeed offered some guidance.
“He gave me plenty of advice and helped mentor me in a few areas,” Levi said. “But the main thing he told me—and excuse the language—was, ‘No bulls— in your bones.’ Basically, believe in what you’re doing, make a strong choice, and commit to it fully, whether it’s right or wrong—just own it.”
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