Michael McDonald (comedian)
Michael McDonald | |
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McDonald in 2010 |
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Born | Michael James McDonald December 31, 1964 Fullerton, California, U.S. |
Other names | Mike McDonald |
Occupation | Stand-up comedian, actor, director, writer, comedian |
Years active | 1987–present |
Michael James McDonald (born December 31, 1964) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, director, writer, and comedian. He is best known for starring in the sketch comedy show MADtv. McDonald joined the show during the fourth season (1998) and remained in the cast until the end of the thirteenth and penultimate season, having become the longest-tenured cast member. While on the show, he developed many memorable characters. He was a contributing writer and director on MADtv.
McDonald has also directed several episodes of the comedy-drama series Scrubs, on which he has guest-starred 6 times.
McDonald currently divides his time between writing, directing, and acting on various film and television projects, as well as performing live on stage across the country.
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[edit] Early life
McDonald graduated from St. Juliana Catholic Elementary School in Fullerton, California and later went to Servite High School in Anaheim, California, and graduated from the University of Southern California with a business degree. While at USC, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He worked as a loan officer at a bank in Los Angeles.
After college, a friend took McDonald to see an improv comedy show at Groundling Theater. McDonald quit his job at the bank and enrolled in Groundling's improv program. He was a member of the troupe from 1992 to 1997. During that time, he was also involved in writing and directing films for Roger Corman.
Later on, McDonald would guest star in such shows as Seinfeld (in two episodes playing two different parts), Just Shoot Me!, Family Matters, Scrubs and NewsRadio. He also made brief appearances in all three Austin Powers movies. McDonald had a starring role with Will Forte and Nicole Sullivan on the short-lived MTV show Clone High as the voice of Gandhi.
[edit] Career
[edit] Stand-up comedy
Michael is currently touring at stand up comedy clubs across the country. His stand-up comedy special Michael McDonald: Model Citizen premiered on Showtime on October 9, 2010. Filmed in Orange County at the OC Pavilion, it has been described as "Part stand-up comedy, part one man show, this special is for anyone who – like Michael – finds humor in the strange world all around us."
[edit] Cougar Town
McDonald is also a writer, director, and producer of the ABC TV series Cougar Town.
He's directed a number of episodes of the show, among which:
- Letting You Go, 2010
- Everything Man, 2010
- When a Kid Goes Bad, 2010
- Stop Dragging My Heart Around, 2010
- Don't Come Around Here No More, 2009
McDonald also wrote the episode "Wake Up Time."
[edit] MADtv
McDonald joined the cast of MADtv in 1998, eventually becoming the longest-standing cast member in the show's history (10 seasons). He performed several recurring characters, including Stuart, Rusty Miller, Marvin Tikvah, Sean Gidcomb, Bible Dude, the Depressed Persian Tow Truck Driver, and F. Michael McKrofsky of "Real M*********ing Talk." His repertoire also included impressions of celebrities and well-known figures, including Al Gore, Bob Barker, John Kerry, Dr. Phil, Bill O'Reilly, Maury Povich, Chris Martin, Steve Jobs, Mel Gibson, Chris Hansen, Roy Horn, Ozzy Osbourne, John Ramsey, Freddie Prinze, Jr., J. K. Simmons (as Mac McGuff, Juno's father), William Petersen (as Gil Grissom), Jack Coleman (as Noah Bennet), Hugh Laurie (as Gregory House), Hugh Beaumont (as Ward Cleaver), Sarah Jessica Parker (as Carrie Bradshaw), Dr. Drew, Adam Sandler, Howie Mandel, Dick Cheney, Clint Eastwood, Gray Davis, Simon Cowell, JC Chasez, Bruce Jenner, Michael Richards, Chris Burke, Charlie Sheen (as Charlie Harper (Two and a Half Men)), David Schwimmer (as Ross Geller), Jeff Probst, Tim Gunn (Project Runway), Howard K. Stern, Tommy Lee, Bob Goen, Criss Angel, Jeff Foxworthy, Saddam Hussein, Matthew Good, Daniel Powter, Larry David, Barry Gibb, Eddie Vedder, and Brad Garrett.
McDonald was the last member of the cast to have appeared on the show during the 1990s, and the last cast member to have been born in the 1960s.
After 10 years on MADtv, McDonald left the show, but was still a contributing director and writer.
McDonald is the only cast member to have a BEST OF Compilation Episode on MADtv.
[edit] Film and television appearances
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1987 | Stand Up America | Himself | |
1991 | Dance With Death | Henry | |
Uncaged | Clean Cut John | ||
1992 | Final Judgement | Rainy | |
In the Heat of Passion | Nick | ||
Body Waves | Squirrely | ||
Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation | Disc Jockey | ||
1993 | Full Contact | Uncredited Role | |
The John Larroquette Show | Phil | ||
Family Matters : Episode 4-24 Buds 'n' Buns | Manager of the Mighty Weenie | ||
1994 | In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful | Bartender | |
Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love | Party Guest | ||
Revenge of the Red Baron | Psychiatrist | ||
No Dessert, Dad, Till You Mow the Lawn | Evil Hypnotist | ||
The Unborn II | Welfare Worker #1 | ||
Leprechaun 2 | Bar owner who was comically killed by Leprechaun with an overheated espresso machine. | ||
1995 | The Crazysitter | Mr. Smith | |
Criminal Hearts | Tierney | ||
A Bucket of Blood | Dancer | ||
Virtual Seduction | Disoriented Man | ||
Baby Face Nelson | Reporter | ||
Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero | Corey | ||
Carnosaur 2 | Evac. Team Pilot | ||
Hideaway | Young Cop | ||
Sawbones | Prostitute | ||
Twisted Love | Stoned Kid | ||
Bloodfist VII: Manhunt | Running Officer | ||
Seinfeld | Player #2 | ||
1996 | Carnosaur 3: Primal Species | Police Officer Wilson | |
Seinfeld | Jesse | ||
1997 | Ellen | The Guy | |
NewsRadio | Lee | ||
Casper: A Spirited Beginning | Sarcastic Protester | ||
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery | Security guard crushed by a steam roller | ||
1998 | The Drew Carey Show | Parking attendant | |
Casper Meets Wendy | The Human Stretch | ||
Richie Rich's Christmas Wish | Montgomery | ||
1999 | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | NATO Soldier | |
Banned in America: The World's Sexiest Commercials | Host | ||
Futurama | Various | ||
2000 | Chump Change | Dack | |
2001 | Passions | The face in the pool | |
Invader Zim | Voices: Robo-dad, Irken crew member, electronic voice and various minor characters. | Voiced two 2001 episodes and two 2006 episodes | |
2002 | Slackers | Economics professor | |
Greg the Bunny | Leo | ||
Austin Powers in Goldmember | Royal Guard | ||
Scrubs : Episodes My Case Study & My Blind Date | Mike Davis | ||
2003 | Clone High | Gandhi | |
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star | Maitre d' | ||
2004 | Outing Riley | Andy | |
2005 | Fat Actress | Sam Rascal | Played agent of titular character |
Desperate Housewives | Steven | 'Silly People' episode | |
All Grown Up | Jason Matheny | ||
2006 | Talkshow with Spike Feresten | Himself | Guest-starred |
7th Heaven | Edward Jameson | Guest-starred: (2005–2007) | |
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Himself | Guest starred- for two episodes in Iraq | |
2007 | Scrubs : Episode 6-20 My Conventional Wisdom | Voice of Dr. Toilet | Also directed this episode. |
Moonpie | Mitch Henderson | Main Role | |
2008 | MADtv (1998–2008) | Various | Has appeared in 239 episodes (Season 4-13) |
Scrubs : Episode 7-08 My Manhood | Patient's Husband | Also directed this episode. | |
Hannah Montana | Chef Duncan Keats | guest | |
MADtv | Director | Has Directed in 4 episodes | |
2009 | Kath & Kim | Judge from Parade of Homes | guest |
MADtv | Himself | First Cast Member to have his own "Best of" Special. | |
Scrubs Episode 8-18 My Finale | Mr. Cropper | ||
Reaper Season 2 Episode 11 | Mr. Sprong | ||
2010 | Michael McDonald: Model.Citizen | Himself | One hour stand up comedy special on Showtime |
[edit] Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
Episode Number | Episode Title | Airdate | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
01 (Season 1) | Hot to Tot | August 10, 2005 | |
02 (Season 2) | Red State, Blue State | June 13, 2006 | |
03 (Season 2) | Iraq | June 20, 2006 | |
04 (Season 2) | Rocket Attack | June 27, 2006 | |
05 (Season 4) | No Time for Siestas | July 17, 2008 | |
06 (Season 4) | What's Woz's Love Got to Do with It | August 7, 2008 | |
09 (Season 4) | Red, White and Don't Be Blue | August 14, 2008 | |
07 (Season 5) | Grammy Shmammy | June 22, 2009 | |
08 (Season 5) | Paris Is My New BFF | June 29, 2009 | |
09 (Season 5) | Maggie's Bucket List | July 6, 2009 |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Michael McDonald |
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- 1964 births
- American comedians
- American film actors
- American television actors
- American television directors
- American television writers
- American voice actors
- Actors from California
- American impressionists (entertainers)
- The Groundlings
- Living people
- People from Fullerton, California
- University of Southern California alumni