Matthew McConaughey’s Surprising Bed Trick to Save Marriage

Matthew McConaughey has revealed his unexpected advice for maintaining a happy marriage, emphasizing the importance of sleeping arrangements. In his recent book, Poems & Prayers, the actor suggests that couples should opt for a queen-size bed to help preserve intimacy and connection in their relationship.

Sharing his perspective during an appearance on The View on Monday, McConaughey explained how this idea came to be part of his own marriage strategy, highlighting how the choice of bed size can affect couples.

How King-Size Beds with Kids Affected McConaughey’s Marriage

McConaughey and his wife, Camila Alves—who began dating in 2006 and married in 2012—have three children: Levi, Vida, and Livingston. Early on, the couple tried sleeping on two king-size beds pushed together at a friend’s house, designed to allow their kids to join them at night.

He recalled,

“I can tell you what this is about,”

McConaughey said.

“So, check this out: We go to a friend’s house when we first were about to have kids, and he had these two king-size beds put together. Two! Because he had kids and the kids would come sleep.”

Initially, McConaughey and Alves embraced the idea, thinking it would work well for family bonding. However, as he described it, the situation shifted once their children became comfortable sleeping in their own beds.

He further explained,

‘Oh, what a great idea!’ So we do that, and the kids come sleep, and then what happens?

to which moderator Whoopi Goldberg offered, They don’t leave.

Once the children finally slept independently, McConaughey encountered a new challenge. He shared,

“They’re not coming to bed, and you’re waking up and you’re going, ‘Oh, hey, honey!’ She’s about 20 feet over there,”

teasing how the physical distance was not productive for snuggling.

To address this issue, McConaughey advised couples to choose a smaller bed.

“So, drop down to a queen-size bed. It’s good for your marriage, I promise.”

Cohost Sara Haines agreed with the recommendation, calling it sound and sage advice.

Behind the Scenes: Helping Son Levi’s Acting Debut

Beyond sharing his marriage advice, McConaughey also disclosed how he supported his son Levi’s acting aspirations in the film The Lost Bus. Levi approached his father about auditioning for a role matching his age, and after several requests, McConaughey agreed to help.

The actor described the process:

“I always pitch the story to the family, and there’s a part of the story where Kevin has his son,”

McConaughey explained.

“And my son Levi goes, ‘Well, how old’s the boy?’ I said, ‘About 14, your age.’ He said, ‘Do you think I could read for it?’”

McConaughey recorded Levi’s audition tape and sent it to the casting director, Francine. After watching, she expressed confidence that Levi’s performance was strong enough to merit a callback and further review by director Paul Greengrass.

Concerned about potential bias, McConaughey requested the removal of Levi’s famous last name from the submission. He recalled,

“[Greengrass] looks at it, he goes, ‘This is the kid!’”

McConaughey said.

“She goes, ‘Well, that’s Matthew’s son.’ He goes, ‘Even better!’”

What This Reveals About Priorities and Family Dynamics

Matthew McConaughey’s approach to marriage and parenting reflects the delicate balancing act many couples face when blending personal intimacy with family life. His suggestion to downsize to a queen-size bed highlights the importance of physical closeness in nurturing a marriage, especially after children start sleeping independently.

Additionally, McConaughey’s effort to help his son pursue acting on his own merits, without the advantage of a well-known last name, underscores a commitment to fairness and authenticity in family support. These insights offer valuable perspectives for couples and parents navigating similar challenges.