Did you have surprise Hollywood siblings on your 2023 bingo card? If so, I'm sure you're keen for Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson to find out whether they're actually related.
The unexpected saga between the two actors began earlier this year, when McConaughey revealed that his mother had once told Harrelson she knew his mother - with some 'ellipses' after 'knew'.
"We went on to unpack what this ‘knew’ meant and did some math and found out that [Woody Harrelson's] dad was on furlough at the same time that my mom and dad were in their second divorce," McConaughey explained in an interview.
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“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."
The revelation took the world by storm, with fans desperate to know whether the pair were more than just co-stars.
Retired talkshow host Maury Povich, who famously offered DNA testing on his series, is among those keen to know the truth, so much so that he offered a helping hand in getting answers.
In an interview with E! News, Povich addressed the speculation about McConaughey and Harrelson's potential relation and commented: "I just heard about the possibilities - I mean Matthew, I don't know you; Woody, you're my pal.
"But guess what: I would come out of retirement - we could do prime time - DNA, Maury's back, with Woody and Matthew.
"Woody's got my number - I'm ready."
We'll have to wait and see whether Harrelson decides to take Povich up on the offer, though he has previously expressed his desires to get a DNA test.
In an interview with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he explained: "We want to go for a [DNA] test, but for [McConaughey], it’s a much more big deal.
"I mean he feels like he is losing a father. But I’m like, no, you’re gaining a different father and a brother."
McConaughey shared his thoughts in an interview of his own, saying: "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?
"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."
It seems like McConaughey might have had a change of heart in more recent weeks, though, as he responded to Povich's offer to indicate he's somewhat on board.
During his own appearance on E! on Wednesday (20 September), the Interstellar actor said: "I don't know if we're gonna do it on your show, but I like the way you're thinking."
Let's make it happen!
Topics: Celebrity, TV and Film, Matthew McConaughey, Science
Emily Brown