Woody Harrelson's Response To Matthew McConaughey's Wild Claim: They Could Be Biological Brothers

Mariam Atef
Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey smiling.
Getty | David M. Benett

It's a dream scenario for many best friends to discover they're actually long-lost family members. Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, who have been besties for a while, might just see their dream come true.

Possible Biological Brothers

Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey swimming together.
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In light of Matthew McConaughey's shocking claim of being possible biological brothers, Woody Harrelson has validated the claim and insisted on a DNA test, despite the first's reluctance to take one.

Responding To Claims

Woody Harrelson wearing a burgundy shirt and smiling.
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Harrelson, 61, addressed the allegations during his appearance on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night, joined by his co-star from White Plumbers, Justin Theroux.

What Triggered Brotherly Bond Revelation?

Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey wearing suits.
Flickr | TiVo_epaper

According to Harrelson, a conversation with his former co-star McConaughey's mother, Mary Kathlene McCabe, triggered a realization that the 53-year-old former actor could potentially be his brother.

Confirming Brotherly Bond Claim

Woody Harrelson drinking liquor
Giphy | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

"Well, I’ll just say there is some veracity to that thought because we talked to Ma’ Mac, Matthew’s legitimate mother, and she let us know one time…I mean, this is crazy," Harrelson revealed.

The Father Connection

 Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson at the after party for the world premiere of Anchor Bay's Surfer, Dude.
Getty Images | Gary Miller

The actor continued, "We were in Greece watching the U.S. team win the World Cup and I don’t know, I mentioned something about regrets. And I said, 'You know, it’s odd that my father has no regrets.' And I have known Ma' Mac a long time, and she goes, 'I knew… your father.' And it was the ellipses I found a little troubling, or interesting. 'I knew your father.'"

"Pregnant Pause"

Woody Harrelson chums with Matthew McConaughey at the table in a scene from the film 'Edtv', 1999.
Getty Images | Archive Photos

Harrelson revealed that what sparked his curiosity the most was the pause during their conversation - which Stephen Colbert jokingly referred to as a "pregnant pause," and that it was "filled with innuendo."

Supporting The Claim

 Woody Harrelson and Matthew Mcconaughey listen to John Popper perfom at the Bliss Lounge Party benefitting the H.O.P.E. charity at Big Red Sun.
Getty Images | Gary Miller

"The year of [McConaughey’s] birth, nine months before, she was on a sabbatical from her relationship with his supposed father, Jim," Harrelson added.

Ready To Take A DNA Test?

Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theater.
Getty Images | Christopher Polk/NBC

While Matthew had expressed his apprehension about undergoing a DNA test when he first made the revelation, Woody doesn't share the same hesitation.

DNA Test Could Lead To A New Family Dynamics

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson smiling before the camera in a scene from the film 'Edtv', 1999.
Getty Images | Archive Photos

"We want to go for a [DNA] test, but for him, it’s a much more big deal," he said. "I mean he feels like he is losing a father. But I’m like, no, you’re gaining a different father and a brother."

Brotherly Bond May Be More Than Just A Theory

 Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey speak onstage at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A.
Getty Images | Lester Cohen

The recent claims made by the actor about their potential family ties have gained additional credibility with the emergence of a previously surfaced image.

Old Suspicions Resurface

Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey are photographed for USA Today on January 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
Getty Images | Dan MacMedan

Previous reports indicate that Woody Harrelson winner had voiced his concerns about a potential s*xual encounter between his mother, Mary, and Woody's hitman father Charles following a vague comment made by Mary about the late convict.

The Resemblance Is Uncanny

Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey speak onstage at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A.
Getty Images | Lester Cohen

A photo from 2019 of the long-time friends Woody and Matthew in the Apple TV+ comedy series Brother From Another Mother has recently surfaced, showing a striking resemblance between the two.

"Loaded" Conversation

Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Monaghan and Woody Harrelson attend the HBO Winter 2014 TCA Panel at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa on January 9, 2014 in Pasadena, California.
Getty Images | Jeff Kravitz

During an appearance on the Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa podcast, Matthew shared: "In Greece a few years ago, we're sitting around talking about how close we are and our families. And my mom is there, and she says, 'Woody, I knew your dad." Everyone was aware of the ellipses that my mom left after 'knew'. It was a loaded K-N-E-W."

Doing The Math

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson walk on stage during the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theater on August 25, 2014.
Getty Images | Mark Davis/NBC

"We went on to unpack what this 'knew' meant, and did some math and found out that [Woody's] dad was on furlough at the same time that my mom and dad were in their second divorce," he continued.

The "Knew" Moment

 Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Monaghan and Woody Harrelson speak onstage at the "True Detective" panel during the HBO Winter 2014 TCA Panel at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa on January 9, 2014 in Pasadena, California.
Getty Images | Jeff Kravitz

The actor hinted that there are also possible receipts and locations in West Texas that could support the idea of a gathering or "knew" moment involving Woody's father and Matthew's mother.

Unease Over DNA Test

 Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theater on August 25, 2014.
Getty Images | Christopher Polk/NBC

Matthew's mother's comment about Woody's deceased father motivated him to explore his family history, yet both he and Woody remain quite hesitant to undergo a DNA test.

Not On The Same Page

Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey speak onstage at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
Getty Images | Kevin Winter

"Look, it's a little easier for Woody to say, "Come on, let's do [DNA tests]," because what's the skin in it for him?" McConaughey said in the podcast.

Concerns About Taking DNA Test

Matthew Mcconaughey and Woody Harrelson are photographed for Los Angeles Times on December 14, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California.
Getty Images | Liz O. Baylen

He added, "It's a little harder for me because he's asking me to take a chance to go, 'Wait a minute, you're trying to tell me my dad may not be my dad after 53 years of believing that?' I got a little more skin in the game."

Strange And Beautiful Bond

Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey speak onstage at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
Getty Images | Lester Cohen

The soon-to-be-aired Apple TV+ series will feature Matthew and Woody together with their families, with the show centered around the "strange and beautiful bond" between the duo, playing themselves on the show.