Matthew David McConaughey is an American actor and producer. He first gained notice for his supporting performance in the coming-of-age comedy
Dazed and Confused (1993), this was considered by many to be his breakout role. After a number of supporting roles in films including
Angels in the Outfield (1994) and
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994), his breakthrough performance as a leading man came in the legal drama
A Time to Kill (1996). He followed this with leading performances in the science fiction film
Contact (1997), the historical drama
Amistad (1997), the comedy-drama
The Newton Boys (1998), the satire
EDtv (1999), the war film
U-571 (2000), and the psychological thriller
Frailty (2001).