Woody Harrelson responds to Matthew McConaughey’s claim that they could be half-brothers
Harrelson was stunned to learn that McConaughey’s mother ‘knew... his father’ decades ago
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Woody Harrelson has addressed his stance on Matthew McConaughey’s recent revelation that they could be half-brothers.
Last week, McConaughey, a longtime friend of the fellow actor, told an anecdote about how his mother, Mary McCabe, revealed that she’d been familiar with Harrelson’s father in the past.
McConaughey said his mother’s remark moved him to investigate his family history, and whether she might have had a fling with Harrelson’s father in which McConaughey was conceived.
During his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the Champions actor responded to McConaughey’s statement.
“Well, I'll just say there is some veracity to that thought,” Harrelson, 61, noted on the Tuesday night episode (18 April).
“We were in Greece, we were watching the US team win the World Cup. I mentioned something about regrets, and I said, 'Ah, it's odd that my father had no regrets.’
“I've known Mom Mc [Mary McCabe] a long time, and she goes: 'I knew... your father'.”
The emphasis on the word “knew” and the pause afterwards gave both actors food for thought about the nature of McCabe’s relationship with Harrelson’s father.
“It was the ellipsis I found a little troubling, or interesting,” Harrelson noted.
“How would you describe that pause?” Colbert asked, to which Harrelson replied: “Filled with innuendo.”
“A pregnant pause, perhaps?” Colbert quipped, much to Harrelson's amusement.
The actor went on to note that McCabe was “on sabbatical” from her relationship with Matthew’s father, Jim McConaughey, nine months before the Dallas Buyers Club star was born.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
However, they’re hesitant to take a DNA test due to the possible repercussions it’ll have for McConaughey.
“The thing is, we want to go and test, but for him, it's a much more big deal,” Harrelson explained. “He feels like he's losing a father, but I'm like you're gaining a different father, and a brother.”
McConaughey, 53, has been open about the difficulties that have occurred in his relationship with his mother. In 2020, he explained why he didn’t speak to her for eight years.
The actors starred together in the first season of the HBO series True Detective.
Soon, they will reunite for the new Apple TV+ comedy Brother From Another Mother.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments