Christopher McDonald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christopher McDonald
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McDonald at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival
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| Born | February 15, 1955 New York City, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Hobart College |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Lupe Gidley
(m. 1992) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives |
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Christopher McDonald (born February 15, 1955) is an American actor. He is well-known for playing many different characters in movies and TV shows. He often plays villains or supporting roles that make a big impact.
One of his most famous roles is the golf villain Shooter McGavin in the 1996 comedy Happy Gilmore. He even returned for the sequel, Happy Gilmore 2, which came out in 2025. Christopher McDonald has also appeared in other popular films like Grease 2 (1982), Thelma & Louise (1991), and Flubber (1997). He also had roles in The House Bunny (2008) and About Last Night (2014).
On television, McDonald has been a regular on shows such as Family Law (1999–2002) and Harry's Law (2011–2012). He has also played many real-life people, including famous sports figures and historical characters. In 2022, he was nominated for a big award, a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, for his role in the show Hacks.
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About Christopher McDonald
Christopher McDonald was born in New York City on February 15, 1955. His mother, Patricia, was a nursing professor, and his father, James R. McDonald, was a school principal.
Early Life and Education
McDonald grew up in Romulus, New York, with his siblings. His family was of Irish descent, and they practiced the Catholic faith. He finished high school at Romulus Central School in 1973. Later, he went to Hobart College in Geneva, New York. While in college, he was active in sports, playing both football and soccer. He was also part of a college club called the Kappa Alpha Society. His younger brother, Daniel McDonald, who was also an actor and singer, passed away in 2007. Christopher McDonald is a big fan of the Buffalo Bills football team and is friends with their former quarterback, Jim Kelly.
Family Life
Christopher McDonald met his wife, Lupe Gidley, in 1989 when they were working together in a theater play in New Mexico. They got married in 1992 and have four children together.
Acting Career Highlights
Christopher McDonald started his acting career in 1978. He even appeared as a contestant on a TV show called The Dating Game. Since then, he has taken on many roles in both movies and television. He is known for playing a wide range of characters, often as a supporting actor or sometimes as a villain.
Memorable Film Roles
McDonald has appeared in many films. Some of his early movie roles include Grease 2 (1982) and Breakin' (1984). He played Darryl Dickinson in the well-known film Thelma & Louise (1991). In 1996, he became famous for his role as Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore, a golf comedy. He also played Ward Cleaver in the movie version of Leave It to Beaver (1997) and Tappy Tibbons in Requiem for a Dream (2000). Other films he appeared in include The Perfect Storm (2000) and Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002), where he played the President of the United States.
Television Appearances
On television, Christopher McDonald has had many starring and recurring roles. He was a regular on Walter & Emily (1991–1992) and Family Law (1999–2002). He also made guest appearances on popular shows like Cheers, Knight Rider, The Sopranos, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also appeared in two different versions of The Twilight Zone.
Voice Acting Work
Christopher McDonald has also lent his voice to animated characters. He voiced Jor-El in Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited. He also voiced an older version of Superman in Batman Beyond. In the animated movie The Iron Giant (1999), he was the voice of the determined government agent Kent Mansley. He also voiced Luke in a dramatized audio Bible production called The Word of Promise.
Playing Real-Life People
McDonald has a talent for portraying real people in his roles. He played game show host Jack Barry in the movie Quiz Show (1994). He also played mountaineer Jon Krakauer in the TV film Into Thin Air: Death on Everest (1997). In sports-related films, he played famous baseball announcer Mel Allen in 61* (2001) and baseball legend Joe DiMaggio in The Bronx Is Burning (2007). He also played U.S. Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty on the show Boardwalk Empire (2010–2012) and Texas revolution soldier Henry Karnes in Texas Rising (2015). More recently, he played lawyer Robert S. Bennett in Impeachment: American Crime Story (2021).
Recent Projects
In 2021, Christopher McDonald joined the cast of the HBO Max series Hacks as Marty Ghilain, a casino owner. His performance earned him a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. In 2023, he appeared in the Disney+ series Secret Invasion, which is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also appeared in a music video for the country music duo The Reklaws' song "Honky Tonkin' About" in 2023.
Images for kids
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McDonald at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival
See also
In Spanish: Christopher McDonald para niños
