Matthew McConaughey said appearing with Jennifer Lopez in 2001 romantic comedy “The Wedding Planner” helped him avoid a search after he was stopped while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border late at night. He recalled that officers recognised him after he mentioned the film, took photographs with him and allowed him to continue, turning what he described as a potentially serious situation into a lighter encounter.

“The Wedding Planner” was McConaughey’s first major romantic-comedy success, earning $94 million worldwide and helping establish him as a leading figure in the genre during the 2000s. He said “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” remains his favourite romcom and his most lucrative film in residual payments, although he later left Hollywood temporarily after struggling to secure dramatic roles beyond the genre.