These Celebrities Honored America (But Not This Actress/Director)
McConaughey, Ondrasik, Stallone and more celebrate nation's 250th birthday
Matthew McConaughey had an important message for his country this weekend.
Alright, alright alright!
The Oscar winner shared that patriotic message on X and Instagram, one that drew near-universal praise.
“So, here we are today lighting the fire, breaking the bread, raising a glass to our family and friends, and maybe even the neighbor we don’t agree with. Today, we’re going to let the kids run barefoot after dark, baby. That’s the celebration. Not that we’ve arrived anywhere, but to the fact we’re still on our way. Take inventory, with the one in the mirror and together. Here’s to more dancing in the home of the brave. Happy 250th, America. Just keep living.”
A few souls said he sounded like a southern-fried version of President Barack Obama, but you can’t please everyone.
bets still on the table America, yet. pic.twitter.com/Ap5Cw3EKRV
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) July 3, 2026
Other stars also celebrated the nation’s 250th in grand style. Take singer John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting fame. He performed on the USS Nimitz to celebrate the grand birthday.
From the historic USS Nimitz, Happy 250th birthday to the greatest nation that has ever graced our planet! @USNavy pic.twitter.com/TVjcAhyG6q
— John Ondrasik (@johnondrasik) July 4, 2026
Patriotic rock legend Gene Simmons didn’t hold back with his affection for his home.
Happy 250th Anniversary to the greatest country in the world. Lest we forget, without America’s Veterans, America simply wouldn’t exist. All gave some. Some, gave all. God Bless America. pic.twitter.com/z44bQcb0Qb
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) July 3, 2026
Director Robert Rodriguez used a still from his breakout film “Desperado” to honor the occasion – with a creative flourish.
Happy 250th Birthday America! #4thOfJuly pic.twitter.com/nOsyuQPaFw
— Robert Rodriguez (@Rodriguez) July 4, 2026
Let’s not forget all-American screen legend Sylvester Stallone. The “Rambo” icon sent a special message via Instagram that his fans will surely love.
View this post on Instagram
“America is the finest,” Stallone said, recalling how his signature film, “Rocky,” hit theaters on the country’s bicentennial extravaganza back in 1976. “Only in this country could something like that occur,” he said of a film that granted him super-stardom and inspired generations to never stop punching.
And then there’s Maggie Gyllenhaal. The actress-turned-director face planted earlier this year with “The Bride!” The movie earned tepid reviews and bombed at the box office, which might have sent her to director’s jail.
Instead, she recently signed a deal to direct “Creation Lake” for Warner Bros. That’s either “failing up” or a rare second chance from a cutthroat industry.
Either way, she made sure to let an interviewer know this weekend that she won’t be honoring her nation’s birthday. Not a chance.
America’s 250th birthday also came up. “It is the Fourth of July today, so we’re celebrating it here,” Gyllenhaal initially said, before continuing: “I’m abstaining from celebration this year. I’m not celebrating the Fourth of July.”
She didn’t elaborate. She didn’t need to.