Unbelievable story behind Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson possibly sharing same dad

As film viewers often get Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson mixed up, it’s not just fans who have noticed the uncanny resemblance.

The actors themselves can’t ignore that their bromance comes with the added layer of them actually looking like brothers – something even they suspect might be possibility.

After it being a joke for some time, one word mentioned by McConaughey’s mum, Mary, made the pair start to seriously wonder if they’re related.

She once told Harrelson she ‘knew’ (wink wink) his dad back in the day and he recently discussed the possibility of them doing a DNA test to get down to the truth.

McConaughey finding out he shares the same hitman father as his co-star and friend sounds ripe for a Netflix documentary, doesn’t it?

So, let’s have a look at what would be laid out.

Harrelson is the son of convicted murderer Charles Harrelson, who was handed two life sentences in 1982 for killing federal judge John H. Wood Jr.

The hitman had also been convicted for the murder of grain dealer Sam Degelia Jr, for which he served five years behind bars.

The actor doesn’t speak much about his dad, who died in prison in 2007, but told People in the 80s: “I don’t feel he was much of a father. He took no valid part in my upbringing.

"This might sound odd to say about a convicted felon, but my father is one of the most articulate, well-read, charming people I’ve ever known.

"Still, I’m just now gauging whether he merits my loyalty or friendship. I look at him as someone who could be a friend more than someone who was a father."

You'd be forgiven for assuming they're related. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

McConaughey, however, has spoken much more about his dad, James - especially in his memoir Greenlights - where he wrote about his parents' rocky relationship.

In the book, the actor wrote about how his parents were married three times and divorced twice before his dad died in 1992 of a heart attack - supposedly while having sex with Mary.

But it seems it is possible James isn’t his dad after all, thanks to the comment Mary made.

"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," McConaughey told the Let's Talk Off Camera podcast.

You can't deny the resemblance. (John Anderson/Getty Images)

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

“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."

Harrelson seems up for a DNA test but McConaughey has his reservations.

"We want to go for a [DNA] test, but for him, it’s a much more big deal," Harrelson previously explained.

"I mean he feels like he is losing a father. But I’m like, no, you’re gaining a different father and a brother."