Almost 26 years ago, actor Matthew McConaughey was involved in a notorious encounter with the police involving him playing bongos without any clothes on. To mark the anniversary of this unusual event, McConaughey, together with his wife Camila and their company, Pantalones Organic Tequila, released a playful video featuring a dramatic reading of the police report. The reading is introduced by Steve Zirnkilton, known for his narration on Law and Order.
Police Report Brings Humor to the Anniversary
Steve Zirnkilton opens the video by noting,
“What follows is a real police report,”
and adds,
“No names have been changed, ’cause he was totally guilty.”
Camila McConaughey reads sections of the report while Matthew provides bongos accompaniment, turning a serious document into a comedic moment. One part recalls,
“On arrival to the location, I could easily hear very loud music, dancing, and playing bongo drums. The nude subject yelled, ‘Why are you here? You can’t be in here,’”
which Camila narrates as Matthew echoes the line.
The report also mentions the actor’s state with, “Glassy and very bloodshot eyes.” At this, Matthew turns to the camera and dryly responds, “And?” The couple then celebrates with a toast, presumably using their own tequila. As the video closes, Camila questions,
“Why can I see this so clearly?”
and Matthew answers,
“Because it’s happened about 45 times since.”
Commemorating the Event with a Signature Cocktail
Alongside the humorous video, the McConaugheys’ tequila brand is marking the occasion with a special cocktail named the Pantsless & Famous, honoring this memorable episode from the actor’s past.
Matthew McConaughey Reflects on the 1999 Arrest
Matthew was 29 when this incident occurred. In his 2020 memoir Greenlights, he described how the arrest followed a weekend of partying after attending a Texas Longhorns football game. In the early hours of Monday, October 25, 1999, he said he wanted to relax at home with some marijuana and the music of Henri Dikongué. He opened a window to enjoy the garden’s scents, then decided to add bongos to the ambiance.
“What I didn’t know was that while I was banging away in my bliss, two Austin policemen also thought it was time to barge into my house unannounced, wrestle me to the ground with nightsticks, handcuff me and pin me to the floor,”
McConaughey recounted.
When the officers charged him with resisting arrest, he told them plainly,
“You broke in my house! F‑‑‑ yeah I resisted.”
The Legal Outcome of the Bongo Incident
Ultimately, the drug-related accusations and resisting arrest charges were dropped. Matthew McConaughey pleaded guilty only to a noise violation and paid a $50 fine.
