Michael McKean facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael McKean
McKean in 1999
Born	Michael John McKean (1947-10-17) October 17, 1947 (age 77) New York City, U.S.
Education	Carnegie Mellon University (BFA) New York University (MFA)
Occupation	Actor comedian screenwriter director singer composer musician
Years active	1967–present
Spouse(s)	Susan Russell ​ ​ (m. 1970; div. 1993)​ Annette O'Toole ​ (m. 1999)​
Children	2

Michael John McKean (born October 17, 1947) is an American actor, comedian, and musician. He has also worked as a screenwriter, director, singer, and composer. Throughout his long career, he has won a Grammy Award and been nominated for an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.

McKean became well-known for playing Lenny Kosnowski in the TV show Laverne & Shirley from 1976 to 1983. He was also a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1994 to 1995. You might also recognize him as Gibby Fiske in the HBO series Dream On.

He has appeared in many movies, including Used Cars (1980), Clue (1985), and The Big Picture (1989). He even helped write The Big Picture. McKean is also famous for working with director Christopher Guest on funny movies like This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Best in Show (2000), and A Mighty Wind (2003).

He co-wrote the song "A Mighty Wind" for the movie of the same name, which won him a Grammy Award. Another song he co-wrote for that film, "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow," was nominated for an Academy Award. In 2019, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Chuck McGill in the TV series Better Call Saul. Since 2020, he has been the voice of Lou Pickles in the Rugrats cartoon. He has also appeared in popular shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, and Grace and Frankie.

On stage, McKean made his Broadway debut in the musical Hairspray in 2004. He has also performed in other Broadway plays, including Superior Donuts and The Little Foxes.

Early Life and Beginnings

Michael McKean was born on October 17, 1947, in New York City. His mother, Ruth Stewart McKean, was a librarian, and his father, Gilbert S. McKean, helped start Decca Records. Michael grew up in Sea Cliff, New York. He is of Irish, English, Scottish, German, and Dutch background. He finished high school in 1965.

In the late 1960s, he was briefly part of a band called the Left Banke. McKean started his comedy career in Pittsburgh while studying at Carnegie Mellon University. There, he met David Lander, who would become his comedy partner. They later joined a comedy group in Los Angeles called The Credibility Gap.

Career Highlights

McKean's big break came in 1976 when he and David Lander joined the TV show Laverne & Shirley. They played the popular characters Lenny and Squiggy. These characters became so famous that McKean and Lander even released an album as Lenny and the Squigtones in 1979. A young Christopher Guest played guitar on this album. McKean also played Lenny in an episode of Happy Days.

After Laverne & Shirley, McKean starred as David St. Hubbins in the comedy movie This Is Spinal Tap (1984). This film, which he also co-wrote, was a funny look at a fictional rock band. He worked with Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer on this project.

McKean quickly became a familiar face in movies and on TV. He appeared in films like Clue (1985), where he played Mr. Green, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987). He also had a main role in Short Circuit 2 (1988). In the 1990s, he appeared in movies such as Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992) and Coneheads (1993).

Saturday Night Live and Voice Acting

McKean joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) from 1994 to 1995. He was the oldest person to join the cast at that time. Before becoming a full cast member, he had been a musical guest and even hosted the show. During this time, he also played the villain Mr. Dittmeyer in The Brady Bunch Movie.

After SNL, McKean did a lot of voice work for children's TV shows and movies. He voiced characters in Small Soldiers (1998) and played the main voice role in the video game Zork Grand Inquisitor (1997).

Guest Appearances and Collaborations

McKean has made many guest appearances on TV shows. These include The Simpsons, Star Trek: Voyager, Friends, and Law & Order. He had a special role on The X-Files as Morris Fletcher, a character who could switch bodies with others. This character was very popular and appeared in several episodes.

He continued to work with Christopher Guest in movies like Best in Show (2000) and A Mighty Wind (2003). In A Mighty Wind, he played Jerry Palter, part of a folk music group called The Folksmen. He also co-wrote several songs for the film, including the title track, which won a Grammy Award.

In 2003, McKean guest-starred on Smallville, a show about Superman's early life. His wife, Annette O'Toole, played Martha Kent on the show. McKean played Perry White, who later becomes Clark Kent's boss. He had played Perry White before in a Superman spoof on Saturday Night Live.

Broadway and Recent Roles

In 2004, McKean performed on Broadway in the musical Hairspray, playing the role of Edna Turnblad. He also appeared in the play The Pajama Game in 2006. In 2008, he starred in the comedy film Adventures of Power.

In 2010, McKean won the Celebrity Jeopardy! tournament. He donated his winnings to a charity that helps people with myeloma, in honor of a friend. He also appeared on Sesame Street as a rock star.

In 2012, while performing in a Broadway play called The Best Man, he was hit by a car and broke his leg. In 2014, McKean played J. Edgar Hoover in the Broadway play All the Way.

From 2015 to 2018, McKean was a main cast member in the TV series Better Call Saul, a spin-off of Breaking Bad. He played Chuck McGill, the main character's older brother. He also hosted the Cooking Channel show Food: Fact or Fiction?, which explores food myths. In 2019, he played Sgt. Shadwell in the TV mini-series Good Omens. Since 2021, he has voiced Lou Pickles in the new Rugrats series. In 2023, he began playing President William Rayburn in the series The Diplomat.

Personal Life

Michael McKean married Susan Russell in 1970. They had two sons, Colin and Fletcher, before they divorced in 1993. In 1999, he married actress Annette O'Toole. He became a stepfather to her two children from a previous marriage.

Characters on SNL

Recurring Characters

• Anthony, the weatherman from Good Morning, Brooklyn

Celebrity Impersonations

Awards and Nominations

Michael McKean has received several awards and nominations for his work:

Images for kids

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  McKean and Jane Lynch at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival

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  Singer-songwriter spouses Annette O'Toole and Michael McKean perform their song "Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" on Employee of the Month in 2016.

See also

In Spanish: Michael McKean para niños