Matthew McConaughey’s Son Lands Role After Hiding Famous Last Name

Matthew McConaughey’s son, Levi Alves McConaughey, secured a role in the film The Lost Bus by concealing his last name during the audition process. The Oscar-winning actor revealed that his 17-year-old son auditioned to play his on-screen son without initially revealing their family connection. This approach allowed Levi’s talent to be judged independently, leading to his casting by director Paul Greengrass without knowledge of his famous lineage.

The story unfolded at the world premiere of The Lost Bus at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where Matthew McConaughey shared details about Levi’s involvement. The screening took place at the Princess of Wales Theatre, with the actor introducing his son to a warmly responsive audience.

How Levi Became Part of the Film

Before filming, McConaughey noticed his son’s interest in acting through a casual conversation about the script. The actor recalled that while pitching the story to his family, Levi asked about the son’s age of the character he might play. After initially not responding, McConaughey saw Levi’s persistence as he returned to ask four more times to be considered for the role.

“Levi, come on out here, bud,”

McConaughey said onstage as Levi joined him to applause. The actor detailed working on a scene with his son and sending the footage to casting director Francine Maisler. According to McConaughey, Maisler responded positively, saying,

“I think it might be good enough for a callback,”

followed later by a possibility it could be shown to director Paul Greengrass.

Matthew also requested that Levi’s last name be removed from the submission to avoid bias in the casting decision. This was a strategic move that led to an interesting reveal when Greengrass recognized Levi and approved the casting, saying,

“That’s the guy, that’s the son!”

McConaughey added,

“That happens to be Matthew’s son! And Paul goes, ‘Even better!’”

Supporting Cast and Production Details of The Lost Bus

At the premiere, McConaughey and his son were accompanied by prominent figures involved in the project, including supporting actress America Ferrera and producers Jason Blum and Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis shared insights about how she first encountered the story from a newspaper article before collaborating with Blum to acquire the rights to Lizzie Johnson’s book, which inspired the film.

The Lost Bus dramatizes the true story of Kevin McKay, a bus driver, and Mary Ludwig, a teacher, who guided a bus full of children to safety during California’s devastating 2018 Camp Fire. The film focuses on their bravery and the community effort that emerged amid the crisis.

A Remarkable Connection Discovered by Jamie Lee Curtis

During the event, Jamie Lee Curtis recounted a surprising family connection she learned about between Mary Ludwig and her own mother, Hollywood legend Janet Leigh. Curtis explained how Mary revealed that her father had once dated Leigh, whose birth name was Jeanette Helen Morrison before becoming a star. This revelation, she said, brought an unexpected sense of destiny to the project.

As Curtis told the audience,

“She said, ‘My father dated your mother.’ [I asked], ‘For real?’ I said, ‘Where?’ She said, ‘Merced, Calif.,

and continued,

Now, you guys know my mother as Janet Leigh, but before she was Janet Leigh, she was Jeanette Helen Morrison from Merced, Calif., and Mary Ludwig’s father dated Jeanette.”

The audience responded with astonishment at this intimate connection, underscoring the personal layers embedded in the film’s production.

Curtis emphasized the significance of this moment, describing it as part of something much larger. She remarked,

“This moment with Kevin and Mary was born from something much bigger,”

adding that the gathering at the world premiere was a unique and thrilling experience:

“the fact that we’re all here together with you at the world premiere of a movie about their story told by a master produced by a master, is just a thrilling, weird, connect-the-dots [moment].”

Release Schedule and Festival Reception

The Lost Bus is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on September 19, with streaming starting October 3 on Apple TV+. The film’s premiere at TIFF marked a significant milestone for the cast and crew, highlighting a story of heroism and community resilience that resonates deeply today.

Matthew McConaughey’s choice to keep Levi’s last name out of the casting process initially allowed his son’s abilities to shine on their own merit, demonstrating both dedication and a desire to protect Levi’s individuality within the entertainment industry. The film’s powerful narrative and the personal connections behind its making are likely to draw attention from audiences seeking compelling, true-life stories.