Matthew McConaughey is passing down hard-earned wisdom to his teenage son, Levi, as he begins his own journey in Hollywood.

Levi McConaughey, 16, recently made his first red carpet appearance at the SXSW Film Festival, where he shared the straightforward advice his Oscar-winning father gave him as he enters the world of acting.

“I mean, he gave me a lot of advice, and he was able to mentor me in a couple different ways,” Levi told People magazine.

“But I'd say the main thing for acting, and pardon my French, is no bulls--- in your bones. Own what you're doing and make a choice—regardless of whether that ends up being the right one or the wrong one. Commit to it and know what you're saying.”

Levi joined his parents, Matthew and Camila Alves McConaughey, at the festival to support the premiere of his father’s latest film, The Rivals of Amziah King. Though he was there with his famous parents, Levi is determined to carve out his own path in acting.

Matthew McConaughey also weighed in on the guidance he’s given his son, emphasizing both preparation and bold decision-making.

“It’s one, you’ve got a natural ability,” the Interstellar actor told People magazine. “Two, how do we get specific about knowing where you’re coming from and where you’re going? The best acting, for my money, is when an actor is caught in action, doing something.”

He explained the importance of bringing depth to a scene:

“Meaning, where were you before, and where are you going after, if the camera is rolling the whole time? You come into the scene so it doesn’t feel like a fresh start and a fresh ending.”

McConaughey also encouraged his son to take risks and embrace failure.

“Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself—I did it plenty of times,” he said. “It’s a lot easier to go big and come back down to reality than it is to come in under and push it to more energy later. It’s a lot easier to go big, make a fool of yourself, get embarrassed, and then bring it down to reality than it is to start with low energy and go, ‘Hey, we need more.’”

Levi has already landed a supporting role in Way of the Warrior Kid alongside Chris Pratt. The film’s cast also includes Linda Cardellini and Jude Hill.

While his acting career is just beginning, Levi has grown up in a household deeply connected to the film industry.

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves met in 2006, when McConaughey was starring in romantic comedies like Failure to Launch and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. They married in 2012 and later decided to leave California for Texas, where they are raising their three children: Levi, Vida, and Livingston.

Camila previously shared that their move to Texas was rooted in their values.

“It really embodies our belief system, especially the ones I grew up with, like going to church every Sunday, saying ‘yes ma’am’ or ‘no, sir,’” she explained. “I grew up saying those things coming from a family of farmers. For me, being from Brazil and then coming to Texas, I discovered a lot of similarities in terms of what families practice here—especially going to church on Sundays and being very into the outdoors. It’s been a great transition.”

With his parents’ support and a clear vision for his future, Levi McConaughey is taking his first steps in Hollywood, guided by the wisdom of his famous father.