Matthew McConaughey Says His Children Are ‘Like A Mirror’; Reveals His Abandoned Collegiate Law Aspirations

Fifteen years have passed since Matthew McConaughey’s stunning performance as a an embattled lawyer in “A Time To Kill.” Now, Matthew is returning to the onscreen courtroom as a lawyer who practices out of his Lincoln town car in the upcoming drama, “The Lincoln Lawyer,” and the actor says he nearly missed out on his Hollywood career to become an attorney, himself.

“I woke up when I was in college – I think I was 21, and I said, ‘Wait a minute — a couple more years of this, four more years of law school, I get out and I’ll be 28 before I actually have a job and am practicing what I want to do? I don’t want to miss my 20s,’” the star told Access of why he chose to stop pursuing a law degree, at the junket for “The Lincoln Lawyer” in LA on Thursday. “I wanted to get out in my 20s and try and make some sort of imprint in society. I didn’t have the patience or the want to go for another six years of just education before I wanted to try out and get my own experience.

“So I switched over to film production and I’m happy I did,” he added, with his signature smile.

In addition to his lengthy film career, the 41-year-old is enjoying playing daddy to his two children with “Shear Genius“ host Camila Alves — son Levi, 2, and daughter Vida, 1 – whom he described as “a mirror.”

“Children remind you something about yourself everyday that maybe you forgot — or maybe you know, but you didn’t think you were doing that till you were like 20 and they’re doing it when they’re like, 2,” Matthew told Access of his clever youngsters. “And you’re going, ‘Wait a minute — you’re pulling something on me? You just pulled a McConaughey! You just pulled a Matthew! But I didn’t know how to do that till I was 18 and you’re two-and-a-half and you’re doing it? Oh. Maybe I was doing it long before I thought I was.’”

The proud papa also advised parents to let their children develop a sense of individuality while still imparting parental wisdom.

“Take advantage of that fact that you have that amount of experience over those children and guide them that way,’” he told Access. “At the same time, hold on loosely enough to let them become their own thing.

“They’re individuals like before a year,” he added. “You see similarities and differences clearly so early.”

Catch Matthew, alongside co-stars Marisa Tomei and Ryan Phillipe, when “The Lincoln Lawyer” hits theaters on March 18.

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