Matthew McConaughey’s latest memoir exposes the shocking details of his 1999 arrest, where he was found nude, high on marijuana, and enthusiastically playing the bongos at his home, surrounded by police officers.
The renowned actor, who won an Oscar, sheds light on the infamous incident of his arrest for “disturbing the peace” in his newly released book, Greenlights.
In his memoir, McConaughey depicts the evening as a spontaneous music session, as he decided to strip down, enjoy the music of Henri Dikongué, and indulge in some marijuana while playing the bongos in his residence.
Unaware of the impending intrusion, McConaughey recounts how he was abruptly approached by two Austin policemen who entered his home uninvited, leading to a physical altercation involving nightsticks, handcuffs, and being forcefully restrained on the floor.
Defiantly, he narrates how he refused to cover himself during the chaos of the arrest, expressing his anger at the sudden intrusion into his personal space with colorful language and resistance.
Recalling the intense moments, McConaughey describes being aggressively handled by the authorities, resulting in a commotion that attracted the attention of neighbors and a fleet of police cars converging on the scene.
Following the incident, the actor was slapped with a $50 (£38) fine, only to realize that his escapade had already become a sensation, making headlines locally and internationally within days.
Adding to the revelations in his memoir, McConaughey discloses that he turned down a lucrative offer of $14.5 million (£11m) to star in another romantic comedy in 2010, showcasing his resolve to break away from the genre that had defined his career.
Furthermore, he discloses a deeply personal detail about his father’s sudden death from a heart attack while engaging in intimate relations with his mother, providing a glimpse into the emotional complexities of his life.