The Matthew McConaugh-Quiz: Can You Name That Very High-Sounding Character?

Photo: Neon

In Harmony Korine’s new movie The Beach Bum, Matthew McConaughey plays a poet named Moondog. The Florida Keys are Moondog’s hedonistic playground, where he spends most of his time drinking, smoking, writing transcendent poetry, and hanging with people like Lingerie (Snoop Dogg), Flicker (Zac Efron), and Captain Wack (Martin Lawrence). This is all familiar territory for McConaughey, the actor who’s built a career playing men that are laid-back and far out — beach rats, pot enthusiasts, pseudo-philosophers, or some combination of the three.

Looking back on McConaughey’s career, it’s not just his knack for sniffing out the most performatively stoner-chill characters in cinema that stands out. It’s also his penchant for truly high-sounding character names. Case in point: Moondog. Any true McConaugh-fan knows the Beach Bum character handle is just the tip of the bud pile. Is that fan you? Prove it.

The McConaugh-Quiz

All you have to do is match the memorable McConaugh-name to the appropriately alriiight character description. Good luck:

This McConaughey is a fishing-boat captain. He drinks, smokes, and spends most of his time in the sun. Anne Hathaway is sometimes also there. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2019.)

Cooper Fried

Baker Dill

Andy Stone

Ben Knighttime

(Serenity) You got it, dude! It's Baker Dill.

(Serenity) Good try. It's actually Baker Dill. We're going to the beach later, wanna come?

This McConaughey is a NASA pilot turned farmer, who is (for some reason) recruited for a secret mission to find a habitable planet. Anne Hathaway is, again, present. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2014.)

Cooper

Tucker

Buster Moon

Astro Boy

(Interstellar) Far out! It's totally Cooper. Did you know that time slows down in space, man?

(Interstellar) Total bummer, bro. His name was Cooper.

This McConaughey plays a Texas electrician and rodeo fan who becomes an importer of experimental AIDS medication after contracting HIV. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2013.)

Bill Rooftop

Ron Woodroof

Woody Harrelson

Willy Gutter

(Dallas Buyers Club) Absolutely rad! Ron Woodroof is the right answer.

(Dallas Buyers Club) Not quite. I hope you didn't pick Woody Harrelson ...

This McConaughey is a washed-up, nihilistic, chain-smoking homicide detective looking back on a murder investigation. What’s his name? (Hint: The series is from 2014.)

Berny Ashe

Kurt Hash

Rusty Rickets

Rust Cohle

(True Detective) Party on! Rust Cohle is the right answer.

(True Detective) Seriously, bruh? It's Rust Cohle.

This McConaughey plays a handsome southern character with a mysterious past. He’s often shirtless, and sports a leathery tan. With the help of two young boys, he tries to escape a gang of dangerous men. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2012.)

Dirt

Shale

Gravel

Mud

(Mud) Hallelujah. It wasn't a trick. The correct answer is Mud.

(Mud) Seriously? It's Mud, dude. You musta smoked too much or something.

This McConaughey plays a treasure hunter living in a tropical paradise. He’s golden and, yeah, shirtless. Kate Hudson frolicks alongside him, equally tan. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2008.)

Quinn

Tugg

Finn

Squid

(Fool's Gold) Right on, you got it! Wanna take a hit of my gravity bong?

(Fool's Gold) Not this time. It's actually Finn.

This McConaughey plays a deranged cowboy trucker, replete with a mullet and oversized belt-buckle. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 1996.)

Tom Cooper

Tip Tucker

Tim Topper

Slippery Nick

(Larger Than Life) Well I'll be damned. You got it right! It's Tip Tucker.

(Larger Than Life) Easy there. It's actually Tip Tucker.

This McConaughey plays the owner of a Florida strip club. He hosts nightly shows and his washboard abs often glisten under the stage lights. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2012.)

Dallas

Austin

Edmonton

Newark

(Magic Mike) Yee-haw! You got it right.

(Magic Mike) C'mon now. Everyone knows it's Dallas.

This McConaughey plays a 35-year-old “boat broker” still living with his parents, who acquire the services of a professional to boot him from the nest. Early on, he’s shirtless in his bedroom. He also surfs. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2006.)

Ripp

Tuck

Toker

Tripp

(Failure to Launch) It's Tripp! You're a lot smarter than you look, my friend.

(Failure to Launch) It's actually Tripp. Anyway, wanna go for a surf?

This McConaughey plays a handsome southern treasure-hunter looking for an old confederate ship in Africa. Shirtless avec moustache. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2005.)

Brett Black

Dirk Pitt

Ben Cave

Deep Crevasse

(Sahara) Good thinking. It's Dirk Pitt.

(Sahara) No, no, no. The answer is Dirk Pitt.

This McConaughey plays a swaggering American dragon-slayer. And “dragon” isn’t just a crass euphemism. There are literally dragons in this movie. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2002.)

Eddie Van Halen

Stevie Van Zant

Arthur Conan Doyle

Denton Van Zan

(Reign of Fire) Nice! It's Denton Van Zan.

(Reign of Fire) Ooooh, nice try. It's actually Denton Van Zan.

This McConaughey plays a soul — and literal — surfer who smokes copious bud and hangs out on the beach. Yes, he’s shirtless. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2008.)

Steve Addington

Maui Wowie

Bubba Kush

Tangerine Haze

(Surfer, Dude) You got it! It's Steve Addington. Wanna do a keg-stand?

(Surfer, Dude) Not, it's Steve Addington. Have you seen my shoes?

This McConaughey plays a good-natured pediatrician who’s having second thoughts about his impending marriage. J-Lo is there, being peak J-Lo. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 2001.)

Steve Edison

Thomas Bell

Nick Ford

Eli Wright

(The Wedding Planner) Yep, you're a genius. It's Steve Edison.

(The Wedding Planner) Oooh, it's actually Steve Edison, which might be the least Matthew McConaughey-ish character name of all time.

This McConaughey plays a God-fearing science writer. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 1997.)

Palmer Joss

Puffer Hyde

Mick Tide

David "It's More of a Body High" Bud

(Contact) Nice! It's Palmer Joss. Did you use IMDb?

(Contact) You didn't get the right answer? It'd be a lot cooler if you did.

This McConaughey makes sandwiches in a small kitchen. The movie is an obscure short film directed by Sandra Bullock, which was never actually released. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 1998.)

Tim Sub

Bud Hoagie

Patty Slice

Lou Mayo

(Making Sandwiches) Okay, now I know for sure you used IMDb. It's Bud Hoagie.

(Making Sandwiches) Nope. It's Bud Hoagie. Nice try, though.

This McConaughey is a clean-cut, freewheeling Texas sheriff who leaves behind a complicated legacy. In one scene, there’s an old photo of him shirtless on a boat, though he’s only in the film briefly. What’s his name? (Hint: The movie is from 1996.)

Teddy Grant

Terry Strong

Bucky Bills

Buddy Deeds

(Lone Star) Alright, alright, alriiiight. It's Buddy Deeds! You're good at this.

(Lone Star) No, compadre. It's actually Buddy Deeds.