TEXAS – For many, Matthew McConaughey is a role model. He’s an accomplished actor, a devoted husband and father, and a passionate community advocate. He credits much of his success to his role model and dad, the late James McConaughey. Matthew McConaughey recently spoke to our Dr. Nicole Cross about how he’s building on the lessons from his father to help fellow Texans still reeling from some painful personal losses.

Who could forget that moment in 2014 when Matthew McConaughey won the Oscar for best actor for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club? That moment may never have happened without McConaughey having mustered up the courage to ask a tough question and the words of wisdom that followed.

“You got some wonderful advice that you got from your father, some career advice when you were contemplating film school. What did he tell you and how has it impacted your career through the years?” Dr. Cross asked.

“Great, great, great question,” McConaughey responded. He went to share his recollection of the moment that changed his life. 

“So, I’m headed to law school in 1991. All I ever thought I wanted to do was be a lawyer. It’s the end of my sophomore year. I’m at the University of Texas and I’m starting to not sleep well with the idea of going to law school. I decide, hey, I want to go to film school. I want to work in front of the camera like I ended up doing. OK, this sounds great to me, but I got to call Dad because Dad’s paying for school and I don’t think he’s going to like this move. So I call Pop and I say 'Hey, Pop.' He goes 'What do you say, Monkey Man?' - that was his nickname for me. I say, 'Dad, I don’t want to go to law school anymore. I want to go to film school.' He paused a second and goes 'Are you sure that’s what you want to do, son?' 'Yes, sir.' He paused for a few seconds and then he gave me these three words: 'Well, don’t half a** it.' The way he said it. He not only gave me his approval to go to film school, he gave me freedom. He gave me the responsibility. He gave me the accountability. He gave me the kick in the backside. He kind of gave me the launchpad to go if I’m going to do this, I better really make it count. Let me tell you what happened. My father moved on from this life five days into me filming my first-ever film, Dazed and Confused. What’s graceful about that is he was alive on this Earth [overlapping with] me starting the first thing that became more than a hobby, more than a fad, something that being a career for me thirty years later,” McConaughey recalled.

“His leaving this Earth physically really woke me up and helped me kickstart becoming a young man,” McConaughey added.

“That’s so powerful, Matthew. I know that he is shining down, looking down, so proud of you. Matthew McConaughey, thank you so much for your time,” Dr. Cross said.

Matthew McConaughey says he uses those three words from his father as a guiding principle for everything he does, including his philanthropic efforts.

Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila along with their Just Keep Livin Foundation are hosting a virtual benefit concert to help Texans affected by the winter storms. The event will air exclusively in Texas on Spectrum News 1 on Sunday, March 21st at 7pm CT. It will include musical performances by Texas natives, residents and supporters including: Don Henley, Gary Clark Jr., George Strait, Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson, Khalid, Kirk Franklin, Leon Bridges, Lukas Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Post Malone, Randy Rogers, Willie Nelson.

The event will also include special appearances from Angie Harmon, Chip & Joanna Gaines, Clayton Kershaw, Dak Prescott, Dr. Phil McGraw, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Joe Rogan, Jonas Brothers, Marcus Lemonis, Megan Thee Stallion, Renée Zellweger, Selena Gomez, Troy Aikman and Woody Harrelson.

"We're Texas," presented by Matthew McConaughey, to benefit victims of the Texas Winter storms, will be televised on Spectrum News 1 Sunday, March 21 at 7 p.m. CDT. All week, Spectrum News 1 will highlight interviews with McConaughey and some of the people affected by the storm.