Matthew McConaughey Shares How Son Levi Is Following in His Footsteps During The Lost Bus Premiere
For Matthew McConaughey, acting has become a family affair.
Indeed, the 55-year-old reflected on what it was like starring alongside his 17-year-old son Levi McConaughey for his feature film acting debut as well as his mom Kay McConaughey, 93, during the world premiere of their film The Lost Bus at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
“He’s introducing himself and I happen to be alongside him and in some of the same scenes of him which is pretty cool,” Matthew exclusively told E! News’ Francesca Amiker of his son during a Sept. 5 joint interview. “Three generations. My mother has always been a performer and so she’s been films. I had no idea he was even interested.”
And because wasn’t sure his son was serious about launching his acting career, the Interstellar star—who was also joined by his wife Camila Alves on the red carpet—had initially ignored Levi’s requests to audition for the role of his onscreen son.
“He came back four times asking me, ‘Can I read for it?” Matthew recalled, adding that he soon after pitched the idea to the casting director. “They got him on camera, read for it and I said ‘Wow, he can hold the frame, he’s got the instinct for it.’”
So, they decided to put the decision in the hands of director Paul Greengrass.
“They send it to the director and they say, ‘If we do that, let’s take the name off—my last name off—to send to the director,’” Matthew explained. “And Paul looks at it and says, ‘That’s the kid!’”
As for how Levi reacted to landing his debut role in the intense wildfire drama? Well, he was completely taken by surprise.
“I knew it was a good audition and I was like, ‘OK. This is good,’” he told E! “But I did not think I was going to get the part.”
(Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
“I’ve never acted before, especially on this level, and so I got the call,” he continued. “I remember my dad gets the call and he handed me the phone and I’m like, ‘Okay?’ And it’s the director Paul Greengrass and he goes, “Hey bud, how would you like to come over to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and play Shaun?’ And I was like, ‘What??’”
And though the teenager tried to play it cool at first, Levi could only keep it together for a few moments until he was overwhelmed with emotions.
“I was trying not to start crying on the phone so I was like, ‘Yeah, that would be amazing. Thank you so much. This is great,’” he recalled. “I hang up the phone and I started crying.”
Along with three generations of talented McConougheys, keep reading for more stars who made an appearance at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival…
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Robert Aramayo
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power actor arrived at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 5.
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Ben Foster
He switched things up with a striking black-and-white suit ensemble for night two of TIFF.
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Billy Howle
He looked elegant for the Outlaw King premiere at the 2025 TIFF on Sept. 5.
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Jess Gabor
Radiant in yellow, the Shameless actress was shining bright as the sun.
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Katy O’Brian
The Love Lies Bleeding star went for a glamorous look at the Canadian fest.
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Sydney Sweeney
She wowed on the 2025 TIFF red carpet Sept. 5 in a stunning pink corseted Erdem Resort 2026 gown.
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Chad L. Coleman
The Walking Dead star looked dapper at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
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Masaki Saito
The Still Single star flashed a peace sign while he posed in a traditional Japanese yukata on Sept. 5.
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Mila Al Zahrani
The Saudi actress captivated guests in a full-length off-white gown.
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Cillian Murphy
The Oscar-winning actor attended the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
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Auden Thornton
The Little Loraine actress lit up the 2025 TIFF red carpet in a flowing emerald-green gown with braided off-shoulder draping and a pleated silhouette.
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J Balvin
The five-time Latin Grammy Award winner stepped onto the red carpet for the premiere of his feature film debut, The Choral.
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Stephen Amell
The Suits LA lead attended the premiere of The Choral at the 2025 TIFF on Sept. 5.
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Sho Kasamatsu, Byun Sung-hyun, Sul Kyung-gu and Hong Kyung
The director and cast arrived for the premiere of Good News.
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Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks
On the red carpet, the Deadpool and King Kong stars struck a balance between suave sophistication and casual flair.
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Ethan Hawke
The Oscar-nominated actor made a playful entrance at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
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Alan Ritchson
The Reacher lead kept it cool and comfy while making a stylish entrance.
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Kevin Weisman
Dressed in laid-back fashion, the ALIAS actor made an appearance at the 2025 TIFF on Sept. 4.
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Wyclef Jean
The founding member of the Fugees brought a tropical-meets-street flair to the red carpet.
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Cary Elwes
Smiling brightly, he lit up the 2025 TIFF red carpet.
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Fat Joe and Diego Boneta
On the 2025 TIFF red carpet, the “Lean Back” rapper posed alongside the star of Luis Miguel: The Series.
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Renate Reinsve
The actress turned heads in a Jacquard bustier gown, softened with a graceful blue-and-black floral overlay.
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Elle Fanning
She wore a striking black-and-white look from Valentino’s 2026 Resort collection that showcased Alessandro Michele’s vision for the legendary Italian fashion house.
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Ben Foster
The X-Men actor paired a sharp two-piece suit with a tank top underneath, striking the perfect balance between polished sophistication and rugged charm.
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Shailene Woodley
She attended the 2025 TIFF for the premiere of her new film Motor City.
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Devon Bostick
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid actor stepped out at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
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Barbie Ferreira
At the premiere of her film Mile End Kicks, Barbie stunned in a black lace dress.
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Jay Baruchel and Rebecca-Jo Dunham
The Mile End Kicks key player and his wife arrived ahead of the film’s world premiere.
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Stanley Simons
Known for The Iron Claw, he hit the red carpet ahead of the world premiere of his next starring role in Mile End Kicks.
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Eugene Levy
The Schitt’s Creek star attended the 2025 TIFF to celebrate and pay tribute to John Candy at the premiere of his documentary, John Candy: I Like Me.
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