Gerald McRaney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerald McRaney
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McRaney in July 2010
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Gerald Lee McRaney
August 19, 1947 Collins, Mississippi, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1969–present |
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| Children | 3 |
Gerald Lee McRaney (born August 19, 1947) is an American actor who has appeared in many popular movies and television shows. He is famous for his roles in TV series like Simon & Simon, Major Dad, and NCIS: Los Angeles.
McRaney has also been recognized for his powerful acting. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Dr. Nathan Katowski in the hit show This Is Us. Throughout his long career, he has played a wide variety of characters, from detectives and military officers to caring doctors.
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Early Life and First Jobs
Gerald McRaney was born in Collins, Mississippi. His parents were Clyde and Edna McRaney, and he has Scottish and Choctaw heritage. After graduating from high school, he went to the University of Mississippi.
Before he became a successful actor, McRaney had a tough job working in the oil fields of Louisiana. This experience helped shape his hardworking attitude, which he later brought to his acting career.
Acting Career
McRaney's acting career began in 1969. In his early years, he appeared in many popular TV shows. He had guest roles in shows like Gunsmoke, The Waltons, and The Incredible Hulk. These roles helped him gain experience and become a familiar face to television audiences.
Breakthrough with Simon & Simon
In 1981, McRaney became a star with the TV series Simon & Simon. He played Rick Simon, a private detective who solved cases with his brother, A.J. Simon, played by Jameson Parker. Rick was a tough, street-smart Vietnam veteran, while his brother was more polished and by-the-book.
The show was a huge hit and ran for eight seasons until 1989. Audiences loved the fun and exciting chemistry between the two brothers.
Starring in Major Dad
Right after Simon & Simon ended, McRaney starred in another successful show called Major Dad. From 1989 to 1993, he played Major John D. MacGillis, a strict but loving Marine who marries a liberal journalist with three daughters.
The show was a family-friendly comedy that showed the challenges of blending two very different families. McRaney's role as the tough but fair "Major Dad" made him even more popular with viewers.
More Famous Roles
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, McRaney continued to take on important roles. He starred in the drama Promised Land, a spin-off of Touched by an Angel. He also had memorable roles in shows like Deadwood and Jericho.
More recently, he played powerful characters in several acclaimed series:
- House of Cards: He played Raymond Tusk, a very wealthy and influential billionaire.
- Longmire: He appeared as Barlow Connally, a powerful and cunning real estate developer.
- This Is Us: He played Dr. Nathan Katowski, the kind doctor who delivered the Pearson triplets. This role earned him an Emmy Award in 2017.
- NCIS: Los Angeles: He joined the cast as Admiral Hollace Kilbride, a retired Navy Admiral who oversees the NCIS team. He later became a main character on the show.
McRaney has also appeared in movies, including The NeverEnding Story, The A-Team, and Red Tails.
Personal Life
McRaney has been married to actress Delta Burke since 1989. They met when she was a guest star on an episode of Simon & Simon. He later appeared on her popular show, Designing Women.
Because he has played military characters like a Marine in Major Dad, McRaney has been a strong supporter of the U.S. military and veterans. He has often visited troops serving overseas to show his appreciation. He has also worked with organizations that help veterans, like the Wounded Warrior Project.
In 2004, McRaney had surgery for lung cancer. The surgery was successful, and he was able to continue his acting career.
Political Views
McRaney has been involved in politics and has shared his views publicly. For most of his life, he was a Democrat, but in the 1990s, he began to identify as a Republican. He has supported Republican candidates in presidential elections. He has also appeared in commercials for the National Rifle Association (NRA).
See also
In Spanish: Gerald McRaney para niños
