Jennifer Garner reveals Matthew McConaughey helped her breast pump on set of Dallas Buyers Club

Actress says McConaughey told her: ‘You can do both. You’ve got it. You can do it’

Jennifer Garner recalls how Matthew McConaughey helped her breast pump on film set (Getty Images)

Jennifer Garner has opened up about Matthew McConaughey’s help on the set of Dallas Buyers Club while revealing how much she loves the actor.

In a new interview with Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan, the Peppermint star recalled wanting to quit filming the 2013 movie because she could not find time to breast pump - at which point McConaughey stepped in to help.

According to Garner, she had taken the role shortly after welcoming her son Samuel Garner, who is now eight, at the urging of her agent.

Explaining that she had “taken so much time [off],” Garner said: “So I took it, and that was why. Because it was time for me to go back to work."

However, the film’s rigorous shooting schedule meant Garner, who shares three children with ex-husband Ben Affleck and who was breastfeeding at the time, had no time to pump breast milk. 

“I had worked while breastfeeding millions of times,” the actress said, before revealing that it had typically been “no problem.”

But with Dallas Buyers Club, which was shot in 21 days, according to Garner, there was “never a 10-minute break. Ever, ever, ever”.

“My boobs were freaking out,” she recalled. “It was bedtime, and we were doing some scene that was supposed to be light, and I started crying and I was like: 'I have to quit. I have to go home and be with my kids. I just can’t do this anymore.’”

According to the 48-year-old, that is when costar McConaughey stepped in.

Becoming choked up, Garner said: "And sweet Matthew McConaughey pulled me aside and said: 'What is going on with you?'

“He said to the crew: ‘We’re going to take a minute, I need a minute.’ And he sent me into the bathroom and I pumped,” the mother-of-three continued. “And from then on, whenever I needed to, I would give him a high sign and I would go take care of it.

“He said: 'You can do both. You’ve got it. You can do it.'"

The 13 Going On 30 star concluded the story adding: “How much do I love that guy? I know, a lot.”