Adam McKay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adam McKay
McKay in 2019
Born	(1968-04-17) April 17, 1968 (age 57) Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Education	Penn State University Temple University
Occupation	Screenwriter director producer
Years active	1986–present
Organization	Hyperobject Industries
Spouse(s)	Shira Piven ​ (m. 1999)​
Children	2
Relatives	Jeremy Piven (brother-in-law)
Awards	List of awards and nominations

Adam McKay (born April 17, 1968) is an American filmmaker who is famous for writing, directing, and producing movies and TV shows. He is known for his hilarious comedies and his smart, thought-provoking films about real-life events.

McKay started his career as the head writer for the popular TV comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). After leaving SNL, he teamed up with actor Will Ferrell to create some of the most famous comedy movies of the 2000s, including Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006). Together, they also started a production company called Gary Sanchez Productions and the comedy website Funny or Die.

Later in his career, McKay began making more serious films that often use humor to explore important topics. He wrote and directed The Big Short (2015), Vice (2018), and Don't Look Up (2021). For his work on The Big Short, he won an Academy Award.

Early Life

Adam McKay was born in Denver, Colorado, and grew up in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. His mother was a waitress and his father was a musician. His parents divorced when he was seven years old.

He graduated from Great Valley High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania, in 1986. He went to Penn State University for a year and then transferred to Temple University to study English. McKay left college one semester before he would have earned his degree.

Career Journey

Learning Comedy

McKay learned about comedy at a famous school called The Second City in Chicago. He also performed with comedy groups like the Upright Citizens Brigade and at the ImprovOlympic. These groups specialize in improv, where performers make up scenes and jokes on the spot.

Writing for Saturday Night Live

McKay at the Hollywood premiere of Ant-Man in June 2015

In 1995, McKay was hired as a writer for the famous TV show Saturday Night Live. He quickly became the head writer at age 28. He was in charge of all the scripts for the show. He also directed short funny films for SNL.

McKay encouraged his friend Tina Fey, another comedian, to join the show. She later became the head writer after he left. Even though he was a writer, McKay sometimes appeared on the show as a character who would shout funny insults at the celebrity hosts.

Making Movies with Will Ferrell

After leaving SNL in 2001, McKay and actor Will Ferrell became a famous comedy team. They started a company called Gary Sanchez Productions. They wrote and created hit comedy movies like:

• Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
• Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
• Step Brothers (2008)
• The Other Guys (2010)

McKay directed these films and often made small appearances in them. In 2019, McKay and Ferrell announced they would stop working together as partners. This was because McKay cast another actor in a role that Ferrell had wanted, without telling him first.

Directing Major Films

McKay at the Australian premiere of Anchorman 2 in November 2013

McKay is a talented director. Besides his comedies with Will Ferrell, he has directed films that mix comedy with serious topics.

The Big Short (2015)

This film explains the 2008 financial crisis in a way that is easy to understand. It starred famous actors like Christian Bale and Steve Carell. McKay won an Academy Award for helping to write the movie's script.

Vice (2018)

This movie is a biography about the powerful American politician Dick Cheney. It used humor to tell the story of his life and career. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards.

Don't Look Up (2021)

This film is a satire about two scientists who try to warn the world about a comet that is going to hit Earth. It starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. The movie was a commentary on how people react to major crises, like climate change.

Other Projects

McKay has been involved in many other projects. He helped write the script for the Marvel superhero movie Ant-Man (2015). In 2007, he and Will Ferrell launched the comedy website Funny or Die, where people could watch funny videos. He also hosts and produces podcasts on topics like science, history, and sports.

In 2019, McKay started a new company called Hyperobject Industries. The company makes TV shows for HBO and movies for Apple.

Political Views and Activism

McKay is passionate about politics and making the world a better place. He identifies as a democratic socialist, which means he believes the government should play a bigger role in helping people. He supported Bernie Sanders for president in 2016 and 2020.

He is also a strong voice for taking action on climate change. In 2022, he donated $4 million to the Climate Emergency Fund. He also started a non-profit company called Yellow Dot Studios, which makes videos to teach people about the climate crisis.

In October 2023, he signed a letter asking President Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire in the Israeli bombardment of Gaza. After the 2024 presidential election, McKay announced he was leaving the Democratic Party.

Personal Life and Health

McKay married director Shira Piven in 1999. They have two daughters. His brother-in-law is the actor Jeremy Piven.

McKay has a health condition called essential tremor, which he was diagnosed with around the year 2000. It causes his hands and voice to shake. To manage this, he often does interviews while lying down or sitting in a special chair.

In 2018, while making the movie Vice, McKay had a heart attack. He realized what was happening because he had researched heart attacks for the film's main character, Dick Cheney. This knowledge helped him get to the hospital quickly and make a full recovery.

Filmography

McKay has directed, written, or produced many popular films and television shows.

Selected Films Directed by McKay

• Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
• Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
• Step Brothers (2008)
• The Other Guys (2010)
• Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
• The Big Short (2015)
• Vice (2018)
• Don't Look Up (2021)

Selected Television Shows

• Saturday Night Live (1995–2001) - Writer and Director
• Eastbound & Down (2009–2013) - Executive Producer
• Succession (2018–2023) - Executive Producer and Director of the first episode
• Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022–2023) - Executive Producer and Director

Awards

McKay's films have received many awards and nominations.

Several actors have been nominated for Academy Awards for their roles in movies directed by McKay, including Christian Bale, Sam Rockwell, and Amy Adams.

See also

In Spanish: Adam McKay para niños

• Adam McKay's unrealized projects