Matthew McConaughey has never been one to shy away from bold life advice. From his laid-back philosophy in "Greenlights" to his heartfelt reflections in "Poems & Prayers," the Oscar-winning actor continues to share lessons he’s learned along the way. His latest revelation shows that when it comes to love, size matters, but smaller is better.
In a recent interview promoting his new book, McConaughey opened up about how switching from a massive king-size bed to a cozier queen brought him and his wife Camila Alves closer.
The "Interstellar" star explained that, like many parents, he and Camila had gone big when their three kids—Levi, 17, Vida, 15, and Livingston, 12—were younger. The oversized bed worked for family cuddles, but once the kids moved into their own spaces, it felt like too much distance between the couple. “I wake up one morning, I’m looking over there and Camila’s like a football field away,” McConaughey said. “At night you want to snuggle, but you’re yelling across 12 feet of blanket.”
His solution was to ditch the king-size for a queen. “Man, this damn king-size bed is not good for the marriage,” he joked. “Get rid of that son of a b--ch. Now we’re shoulder to shoulder. I’m telling you, it’s good for your marriage.”
The Beauty of Proximity
For McConaughey, the downsizing wasn’t just about physical closeness, but it was about emotional connection, too. He believes the little things, like sharing a smaller space, keep love alive.
While McConaughey and Alves’ bond is thriving, family continues to play a big role in the actor’s life on screen. His latest film, "The Lost Bus," became a three-generation affair, featuring not only Matthew but also his eldest son, Levi, and his 93-year-old mom, Kay McConaughey.
Levi’s acting debut took his dad by surprise. “He came back four times asking me, ‘Can I read for it?’” Matthew admitted. Initially skeptical, he finally let him audition. “They got him on camera, and I said, ‘Wow, he can hold the frame, he’s got the instinct for it.’” The proud dad said it was surreal to share scenes with both his son and mother. “Three generations. That’s pretty cool.”
During the world premiere of the drama, McConaughey brought Levi onto the stage before proudly sharing how he came to be cast in the film. "I had no idea that this young man, my son, was interested [in acting], but when I pitched the script to the family, as I always do before work, the part about Kevin [McKay] having a son, he asked me one day, 'Well, how old is he?' I said, 'He's about your age.' And then he goes, 'Think I could read for it?' And I didn't say anything. That wasn't enough to make me say 'maybe' or anything."
Big Lessons in Small Changes
Matthew McConaughey’s advice may sound unconventional, but it carries weight. In a time when relationships are stretched thin by work, technology, and life’s chaos, maybe the secret is less space. A queen bed instead of a king might just remind couples to lean in, both physically and emotionally.