How Woody Harrelson Learned He Might Be Related to Matthew McConaughey

"In Greece a few years ago, we're sitting around talking about how close we are and our families," the Oscar winner said on the Let’s Talk Off Camera podcast in 2023, per Variety. "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."

So, the True Detective costars—who have developed this possible relation into the upcoming TV show Brothers, where they will portray fictionalized versions of themselves—went on to “unpack what this ‘knew’ meant.” 

"[We] 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," Matthew explained. "Then there's possible receipts and places out in West Texas where there might have been a gathering, or a meeting, or a ‘knew' moment."

As for if they’re willing to find out whether they’re really half-brothers by taking a DNA test?

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

For more stars who share a family connection with a fellow celeb, keep reading… 

Nancy Cartwright & Sabrina Carpenter

The Simpsons actor, who has voiced Bart since the show premiered in 1989, is the aunt of the "Espresso" singer.

“She's not a blood relative,” Nancy clarified on a January 2026 episode of Toon’d In with Jim Cummings. “Her grandmother was married to my dad, so her dad was my stepbrother.”

And that family connection led to Nancy playing a pivotal role in Sabrina's success.

“They would come out every year and stay with me," she continued. "They lived with me for four months at a time during pilot season and helped her get management [and an] agent.”

The Emmy winner added, "She certainly doesn't need my help. I gave her a little boost and she ran with it, and I'm very proud of her.”

Lena Dunham & Larry David 

Stassi Schroeder & Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Genealogist Dr. Adina Newman, known on Instagram as My Family Genie, revealed Blanchard and the Vanderpump Rules alum are allegedly related on their paternal grandmother's side dating back all the way to the 1600s.

Schroeder, a self-professed true crime fan, commented on Newman's post, "Omg I'm unwell."

Antonio Banderas & Dakota Johnson

The Mask of Zorro star was married to the Fifty Shades of Grey actress' mother Melanie Griffith for 20 years before they ultimately split in 2015, but that doesn't mean the stepfather and daughter's bond has been severed.

Johnson got emotional when she presented an award to Banderas at the 2019 Hollywood Film Awards.

"I come from a family of many a marriage and I got very lucky," Johnson, whose dad is actor Don Johnson, said. "I got a bonus dad who I realized that, over time, is actually one of the most influential people in my whole life," she said. "When I was six years old, my mother married a man who brought an unbelievably bright light and a whole new world of creativity and culture—and one remarkably magical little sister into our family."

Alix Earle & Dylan Dreyer

Get ready to have your mind blown: The TikToker and the Today anchor are second cousins.

"Growing up, your dad is like one of seven. You have lots of brothers and sisters," Dreyer told Earle of her dad Thomas "TJ" Earle, who is the morning show host's first cousin, during a May 2026 broadcast. "You have a million cousins. The Christmas card, when it arrives every year, there's like 100 people in it."

Robyn Lively & Blake Lively

Phil Collins & Lily Collins

Kate Middleton, Dakota Fanning & Elle Fanning

Niecy Nash, Danielle Brooks & Sterling K. Brown

Talent runs in this family, as the Reno 911! alum, Orange Is the New Black actress and This Is Us star are all cousins.

"We are blood related!" Nash wrote on Instagram January 2024, sharing a photo of the trio at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Third Annual Fundraising Gala. "REAL cousins!"

Stephen Dillane & Frank Dillane

Liev Schreiber & Pablo Schreiber

Melissa McCarthy & Jenny McCarthy

Julia Roberts & Emma Roberts

Lacey Schwimmer & David Schwimmer

Alexander Skarsgård & Stellan Skarsgård

Lily Allen & Alfie Allen