William H. Macy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William H. Macy
Macy in 2012
Born	William Hall Macy Jr. (1950-03-13) March 13, 1950 (age 75) Miami, Florida, U.S.
Other names	W. H. Macy
Education	Allegany High School
Alma mater	Bethany College Goddard College HB Studio
Occupation	Actor, director, writer
Years active	1975–present
Spouse(s)	Felicity Huffman ​ (m. 1997)​
Children	2
Awards	Full list

William Hall Macy Jr. (born March 13, 1950) is an American actor, director, and writer. He has won many awards, including two Emmy Awards and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. He was also nominated for an Oscar for his acting.

Macy became well-known for working with playwright David Mamet. He then started acting in small, independent films. He became very famous after playing Jerry Lundergaard in the movie Fargo (1996). This role earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Some of his other big movie roles include Boogie Nights (1997), Air Force One (1997), Magnolia (1999), Mystery Men (1999), and Jurassic Park III (2001). From 2011 to 2021, he starred as Frank Gallagher in the TV show Shameless. Before that, he played Dr. David Morgenstern on the TV series ER.

Early life and education

William H. Macy was born in Miami, Florida. He grew up in different states like Georgia and Maryland. His father, William Hall Macy Sr., was a pilot in World War II. He later worked in construction and insurance. Macy's mother, Lois, was also very important in his life.

Macy finished high school in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1968. He first went to Bethany College to study veterinary medicine. He later moved to Goddard College in Vermont. There, he studied theater with playwright David Mamet. He graduated in 1972 and also studied acting at HB Studio in New York City.

Acting career highlights

After college, Macy started acting in plays by David Mamet, like American Buffalo. He got his first acting union card (AFTRA) from a TV commercial. This was a big step for him.

Macy moved to New York City in 1980. He acted in over 50 plays both Off Broadway and on Broadway plays. One of his first movie roles was in Somewhere In Time (1980). He used the name W.H. Macy to avoid confusion with another actor named Bill Macy. He also voiced a turtle named Socrates in a children's film called The Boy Who Loved Trolls (1984).

Macy at the 62nd Annual Peabody Awards in 2003

Macy appeared in many films that David Mamet wrote or directed. These include House of Games (1987), Things Change (1988), and Wag the Dog (1997).

His main role in Fargo (1996) made him much more famous. He often played characters who were worried or having a tough time. Other movies he appeared in during the 1990s and 2000s include Boogie Nights (1997), Air Force One (1997), Magnolia (1999), and Jurassic Park III (2001).

He also had regular roles on TV shows like ER (1994-2009) and Sports Night (1999-2000). These roles earned him nominations for the Emmy Awards.

In 2007, Macy starred in Wild Hogs. This movie was about middle-aged friends going on a motorcycle trip. Even though critics didn't love it, the movie made a lot of money. It also brought him back together with his A Civil Action co-star, John Travolta.

Macy in 2010

In 2008, William H. Macy and his wife, Felicity Huffman, were honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2009, Macy took over a role in a Broadway play called Speed-the-Plow.

In 2010, Macy joined the TV show Shameless as the main character, Frank Gallagher. The show became very popular, and Macy received an Emmy nomination for his performance in 2014.

Macy also started directing movies. His first movie as a director was Rudderless (2014). He also directed The Layover (2017). In 2015, he had a small part in the movie Room, which was nominated for an Oscar. In 2024, he appeared in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Personal life and hobbies

Huffman and Macy at a ceremony where each received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 7, 2012

William H. Macy and actress Felicity Huffman dated for 15 years before getting married on September 6, 1997. They have two daughters together.

Macy has many interesting hobbies. He plays the ukulele and loves woodturning. Woodturning is a craft where you use a machine to shape wood into different objects. He has even been featured in magazines about woodturning. He is also an ambassador for the United Cerebral Palsy Association, which helps people with cerebral palsy.

Since filming Wild Hogs, Macy has become very interested in riding motorcycles. He also lives near and is a spokesperson for Woody Creek Distillers in Basalt, CO, which makes whiskey.

Filmography

Television roles

Awards and nominations

William H. Macy has received many awards and nominations throughout his career. You can find a full list of his awards and nominations by clicking on the link below: Full list of awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: William H. Macy para niños