Matthew McConaughey admits his starring role in 'Dazed and Confused' transformed his life.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey

The Academy Award-winning star has confessed that the 1993 coming-of-age comedy proved to be a turning point in his career, as it established him as one of Hollywood's most sought-after up-and-coming actors.

Reflecting on the importance of the Richard Linklater-directed movie - which also starred Ben Affleck and Milla Jovovich - he told 'Entertainment Tonight': "That was the role that, at that time I didn't know if it was going to be a hobby or something I was doing for the summer, and it turned out to be a career.

"That's where it all started and I always look back to that one."

Matthew starred in a string of hit romcoms during the 2000s.

But the Hollywood star actually thinks it's easier to make drama movies because it means he's constantly looking for "reality" in his performance.

He explained: "They are thin, by design. You come in on a cloud and you skip from cloud to cloud, and if you drop anchor in a romantic comedy, you will sink the ship.

"If it's a scene where boy meets girl and I get really mad for a second, uh-uh, cut. 'You can't get mad because we won't believe you can make it back.' That's how it goes. No, no, no. What's easier about a drama is that: with every question, you can hang your hat on what would this character humanly do? You're looking for reality all the time."

By contrast, Matthew thinks romcoms are more challenging because the tone is less life-like.

He said: "You don't go pining for reality in a romcom. You're supposed to stay up there and bounce."