Is Griffin Colapinto Related to Matthew McConaughey? Everything About the ‘Father’ Figure Ahead of Paris Olympics

Griffin Colapinto has had a lot of firsts in his illustrious career. But two of those have been monumental for the 25-year-old. The first was when he became the first USA National to win the Triple Crown in 2017, ending a 19-year-old drought. The last time someone claimed this title was Kelly Slater in 1998. He went on to achieve a similar feat back in July 2023. The surfer rose to the top of the world standing in May last year by securing a win at the Surf Ranch Pro. He had also accumulated 3 WSL Championship Tour event wins. This helped him secure a qualification for the upcoming Summer Games, making him the first American to do so.

The 25-year-old’s stellar performances throughout have garnered several fans. But the most special one for the surfer is none other than Matthew McConaughey. While it the two might seem like an odd pair, they have been each other’s cheerleaders for quite some time now. However, a promotional video with Quicksilver had left fans scratching their head. The question that bothered them was, is Griffin Colapinto related to the Hollywood star? Well, don’t worry, we’re here to answer your question!

Griffin Colapinto’s wholesome connection with Matthew McConaughey

In an exclusive interview with E! News, Colapinto elaborated on how he has always idolized the actor. But he truly fell in love with McConaughey after he realized they both share an interest in journaling through his memoir Greenlights. Turns out, the actor feels the same about the 25-year-old! Right before the WSL finals, McConaughey surprised him with a hype video in collaboration with Quicksilver. “Hey Griff, let me get in your ear real quick. It’s me, Matthew McConaughey,” we hear the Academy Award-winning actor say.

The light-hearted video has picturesque stills of Colapinto driving around, as the actor continues to speak to him. “I’m mighty proud of you, even if you didn’t win that world title, I will still love you like a son. Because well, you are my son.” He confesses he didn’t know when the right time to confess this would be, but he figured the promotional ad would be the best way to tell him. “You’re mine, you’re my boy, Griff. Griffin McConaughey. Got quite the ring to have done that, Griff.” He then ends the video by telling the surfer that he loves him, and wishes him luck for next year’s world championships, because he didn’t win that year.

While the satire video did leave fans with more questions, Colapinto actually met McConaughey all the way back in 2007. The actor had signed on for Surfer, Dude and needed some guidance to avoid making a splash in the waves. And who better than Griffin Colapinto? After training McConaughey and helping him embody every bit of a surfer, the actor truly fell in love with the ocean. He’d even mentioned how his then 2-month-old son, Levi, would feel the same way as he got older.

Colapinto has also spoken about how many of his fans have approached him for an autograph or a quick chat, and how he finds this hard to navigate through. In this time of need, McConaughey stepped up and offered him sound advice. He told the surfer how if a fan approaches him doing regular things, he would politely turn down a photo op and would instead shake their hand and ask what their name is. They might not be the best of pals, but this odd pair often finds the other in their corner when the need arises.

The McCounaghey family is the surfer’s biggest cheerleaders

Griffin Colapinto had a great 2023 season. He’d clinched second place during the WSL spots at Sunset Beach, El Salvador, and Margaret River. He had also won at the Surf Ranch Pro, catapulting him into the WSL Finals Day last year. But the surfer found an unexpected cheer squad in Hawaii. Matthew McConaughey had showed up to hype his “son” up yet again. “He was there with his family and was psyching me up before my heats at one of the contests,” Colapinto told PEOPLE.

While he mentioned he wasn’t close with McConaughey, this special moment served as a catalyst towards a wholesome friendship. During their time in Hawaii, the surfer realized how Levi McConaughey had a special interest in the sport. The surfer and Levi surfed at Pipeline in Oahu. This is also pretty evident on the 16-year-old’s Instagram page. While his videos showcase that he has what it takes, Colapinto might have a hand in making that happen.

Griffin Colapinto decided to help Levi out to prepare for a potential surfing career. “He’s been super psyched on surfing,” the surfer exclaimed. He further stated how the young McConaughey has been making the trip to San Clemente and surfing the local wave. “So I’ve been helping him with some surfing tips. It seems like they’re getting super into it, and that’s rad.” Who knows? Maybe in a few years, we might see Levi pierce his way through the ways.

In just 12 days, Griffin Colapinto will make his debut at the sport’s second appearance at the Summer Games. Surfing events will take place between 27th July and 5th August at Teahupo’o, Tahiti. The surfer will be vying to bring home Olympic glory at the French capital.  As he prepares to compete on the world’s biggest stage, will we see McConaughey make yet another appearance to hype him up? We will just have to wait and watch.