McConaughey Explains Why He's 'Alright'

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Matthew McConaughey was a big winner at the 86th Academy Awards on Sunday, winning the Best Actor category for his work in Dallas Buyer Club, and walking away with his first ever Oscar.

In his heartfelt speech, the 44-year-old actor served up a classic by finishing his acceptance speech with an appreciative, "Alright, alright, alright," and "Just keep livin.'"

As many know by now, these are quotes he's become famous for since he first recited them in the 1993 cult classic film Dazed and Confused. He's also said "alright, alright, alright" almost every time he's won a statue during this awards season.

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McConaughey stopped to talk to ET's Nancy O'Dell on the red carpet, and revealed why the quote means so much to him.

"It was the first words I ever said on film, in Dazed and Confused, and it's sort of a call back to the beginning of my career," he explained. "At a time when I was doing it, and I didn't know it would be a career. And so it's sort of a call back and respect to the 22 years I've been doing this."

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Check out the video to see more from McConaughey and his lovely wife Camila Alves on the Oscars red carpet.

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