Both the actor and his character saved the day on the 2001 rom-com.

Judy Greer was ‘so broke’ before filming Wedding Planner that Matthew McConaughey covered her $20 valet bill

Both the actor and his character saved the day on the 2001 rom-com.

By Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence is a former associate editor at **. He left EW in 2022.

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April 20, 2026 12:41 p.m. ET

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Matthew McConaughey; Judy Greer. Credit:

- Judy Greer was saved by her "hero" Matthew McConaughey ahead of *Wedding Planner* production.

- The actress was so "broke" that she needed help paying her valet bill.

- Greer didn't realize how big a deal the 2001 rom-com was going to be.

Matthew McConaughey was more than just alright, alright, alright to his *The Wedding Planner* costar Judy Greer.

Greer is now cemented as an iconic rom-com best friend, but she was still early in her career when she booked her role as Jennifer Lopez's pal in 2001's *Wedding Planner*. And she made a rookie mistake when parking at an upscale New York City hotel for the film's table read, but, luckily, just like his character does, her leading man came to the rescue.

"I valeted my car; I didn't know any better," Greer told *ET* of arriving at the Roosevelt Hotel. "I didn't have enough money to get my car out of the valet because I was so broke. And I was on the pay phone in the lobby, calling my friend [*Guardians of the Galaxy* star] Sean Gunn, and Matthew McConaughey overheard me and gave me $20. I was so mortified, but, also: my hero!"

McConaughey and Greer in 'The Wedding Planner'.

*The Wedding Planner *starred Lopez as the titular wedding planner, Mary, who falls for a client, Steve (McConaughey), after he saves her from an almost deadly fashion incident. Greer played Mary's friend and colleague Penny, and while most of her scenes are with Lopez, the actress is still thinking about the time spent with her hero.

"The thing that I remember about that movie was how lovely Matthew McConaughey was," she said. "I loved seeing him in hair and makeup every morning, because he had pajamas on and an Yerba mate [tea]. I haven't worked with him since, but I have a feeling not much has changed."

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Greer has built quite the rom-com résumé over the years, including *13 Going on 30* and *27 Dresses*, but she's still blown away by the one that started it all for her.

"I couldn't believe it," she said of being cast in *Wedding Planner*. "In some ways, I didn't really understand what a big deal it would be."

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Movies”