Matthew McConaughey and John Abraham’s career metamorphosis is quite similar. Both started as lady-killers —sculpted physiques and Greek God looks. After starring in a maze of run-off-the-mill capers, the himbos (male version of bimbos) reinvented their careers and relaunched themselves. The Hollywood actor, who was best known for his washboard abs, now has an Oscar for Best Actor on his mantle. Watch out for John, who is going the same way.
Matthew McConaughey
Age: 44
Early Films
There was a time when the very mention of this Adonis sprang to mind tanned washboard abs. It was the 2001 The Wedding Planner starring Jennifer Lopez that launched McConaughey’s romantic-comedy phase. He also acted in forgettable capers like Fool’s Gold and How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. In fact, one went to a Matthew McConaughey movie thinking he would definitely take off his shirt. Even Matt Damon repeatedly took digs at him on Late Show With David Letterman, doing impersonations of the actor on-set: “I think today’s scene would be a great opportunity for me to take my shirt off.”
Rebuilding the brand
Matthew McConaughey won the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role award for Dallas Buyers Club at the Oscars. This year the 44-year-old homme fatale also took the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid actors for 2014 with an estimated $96 million in combined earnings.
He began selecting films where he did more than take off his shirt. The recent spate of powerful performances has put him in a mega watt league be it —The Lincoln Lawyer (2010), Bernie (2011), Magic Mike (2012), Killer Joe (2012) or Mud (2013).
Humble beginnings
McConaughey is a native of tiny Uvalde. The Texan made his presence felt thanks to his shaggy-haired lady-killer persona. His mom was a kindergarden teacher and father owned a gas station.
Family man
After being a wild casonova with Ashley Judd, Sandra Bullock, Janet Jackson, Penelope Cruz and Cassandra Hepburn, he met his life partner Camila Alves (a model-turned-designer) in 2006. They met at a Los Angeles bar in 2006, and had two children together, son Levi, 3, and daughter Vida, 2. They saw no need to rush down the aisle because they already felt married. Later they announced the arrival of their third child, son Livingston post which they had a three-day wedding extravaganza in mid 2012.
Brand favourite
Matthew has been the spokesman for Dolce & Gabbana men’s fragrances (signed 2007), and the face of Stetson cologne from 2004-2007 and also endorsed National Cattleman’s Beef Association.
John Abraham
Age: 41
Early Films
He made his debut with Jism, which required him to go shirt-less most of the time and later he flashed his butt in Dostana and was pretty much shirtless in most of his early films. He was a sex-symbol. Never taken seriously as an actor. Everyone mocked his lack of acting skills but his good looks kept him in circulation. His performances in the commercial Dhoom and the critically acclaimed Water were appreciated but he was never taken seriously as a performer till he decided to relaunch himself as a producer.
Rebuilding the brand
One fine day John decided to launched himself as a producer. He made a niche film like Vicky Donor and made the industry and audience take notice. He followed it up with Madras Cafe, which again got rave reviews. As a producer and as an actor. He decided to show his entrepreneural skills and launched The John Abraham Entertainment that has made many commercial ad films which include Philips Grooming Range Advertisement featuring him, Nikon Coolpix Advertisement featuring Priyanka Chopra and Haier Refrigerators. He also has his own clothing brand. John is now being taken more seriously than he ever has in his career.
Humble beginnings
Born in Mumbai to a Malayali father and a Parsi mother, he started his showbiz stint in a modelling agency as a Media Manager. One day he filled in for a missing model and soon became a full-time model. In 1999, he won the Gladrags Manhunt Contest and went to Singapore for Manhunt International, where he won second place. He did Provogue ads and became India’s best paid supermodel. Then he got his first acting part and never looked back.
Family man
His relationship status with actress girlfriend Bipasha Basu for almost a decade (eight years to be precise) was always the topic of dinner time discussions. Will they break up? Won’t they? Till they finally did in 2011. Early this year he married his investment banker girlfriend Priya Runchal in a private ceremony.
Brand favourite
Having the best physique in the business, John clinched Reebok and Godrej Eon Tour De India. He also featured in the PETA campaign.
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