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 76) 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, screenwriter, and producer. He is well-known for his many roles in movies and TV shows.

Macy has won two Emmy Awards and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. He was also nominated for an Academy Award and five Golden Globe Awards. He became famous for working with playwright David Mamet. Later, he built a film career by appearing in many smaller, independent movies.

He became widely recognized for his role as Jerry Lundegaard in the movie Fargo (1996). This role earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Some of his other major film 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 series Shameless. He also played Dr. David Morgenstern on ER (1994–2009).

Early Life and Education

William H. Macy was born in Miami, Florida, on March 13, 1950. He grew up in Georgia and Maryland. His father, William Hall Macy Sr., ran a construction company and later an insurance agency.

Macy finished high school at Allegany High School in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1968. He first went to Bethany College in West Virginia. He then transferred to Goddard College in Vermont, where he studied theater with playwright David Mamet. He graduated in 1972. He also studied acting at HB Studio in New York City.

Acting Career Highlights

After college, Macy performed in many plays by David Mamet, such as American Buffalo. He moved to New York City in 1980 and acted in over fifty Off Broadway and 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.

Macy at the 62nd Annual Peabody Awards in May 2003

Macy appeared in many films that Mamet wrote or directed. These include House of Games (1987), Things Change (1988), and Wag the Dog (1997). His main role in Fargo (1996) greatly helped his career.

Other notable roles in the 1990s and 2000s include The Client (1994), Mr. Holland's Opus (1995), Air Force One (1997), Boogie Nights (1997), Magnolia (1999), and Jurassic Park III (2001). He also appeared in Seabiscuit (2003) and Thank You For Smoking (2005).

He had a recurring role on the TV show ER from 1994 to 2009. He also appeared on Sports Night (1999-2000). Both roles earned him Emmy nominations. In 2002, Macy wrote and starred in Door to Door, winning an Emmy for both writing and acting.

Macy is the director-in-residence at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York. There, he teaches an acting technique called Practical Aesthetics. A book about this technique, A Practical Handbook for the Actor, is dedicated to Macy and David Mamet.

In 2007, Macy starred in Wild Hogs, a movie about middle-aged men on a motorcycle trip. In 2009, he filmed The Maiden Heist, a comedy with Morgan Freeman and Christopher Walken.

Macy in 2010

In 2008, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that Macy and his wife, Felicity Huffman, would each receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They received their stars on March 7, 2012.

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.

In the 2012 film The Sessions, Macy played a priest. He made his directing debut with the movie Rudderless, which he also wrote and produced. In 2017, he directed The Layover, a road trip comedy. In 2015, he had a small role in the drama film Room, which was nominated for an Academy Award. In 2024, he played Trevathan in the film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy at their Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in March 2012

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

Macy enjoys playing the ukulele and is a big fan of woodturning. He has even been featured on the cover of Fine Woodworking magazine. He is also a national ambassador for the United Cerebral Palsy Association, which helps people with cerebral palsy.

Since filming Wild Hogs, Macy has developed a strong interest in riding motorcycles. He lives near and is a spokesperson for Woody Creek Distillers in Basalt, CO.

Stage Appearances

Filmography

Films

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: William H. Macy para niños