Biography
Who is Michael McKean?
Early life and family
Michael John McKean entered the world on October 17, 1947, in New York City. His parents were Ruth Stewart McKean, who worked as a librarian, and Gilbert S. McKean, a founder of Decca Records. He spent his youth in Sea Cliff, New York, on Long Island.
After completing his studies at North Shore High School in 1965, he attended Carnegie Mellon University. During the late sixties, he briefly performed with the band the Left Banke and contributed to their single Ivy, Ivy.
Television career
While attending Carnegie Mellon, he forged a comedy partnership with fellow student David Lander. This creative relationship continued in Los Angeles within the comedy ensemble The Credibility Gap. Michael found big success in 1976 when he and Lander secured roles on the popular ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley. Portraying the characters Lenny and Squiggy, the pair became a cultural hit. They even released a musical album under the name Lenny and the Squigtones in 1979.
Following his departure from Laverne & Shirley in 1982, he branched out into various television projects, including a stint as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1994 to 1995. At the time, he was the oldest performer to join the cast. He also played Gibby Fiske in the HBO series Dream On. Later in his career, he appeared in shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, and The Diplomat. He also gained acclaim for playing Chuck McGill on the AMC series Better Call Saul.
Film collaborations and music
A significant portion of his career involves frequent collaborations with Christopher Guest. This partnership resulted in comedic films such as This Is Spinal Tap, where he played David St. Hubbins. He also appeared in Guest's movies Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration.
For his work co-writing the title song for A Mighty Wind, he received a Grammy Award. He also co-wrote A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow with his wife, Annette O'Toole, which earned an Academy Award nomination. Beyond these collaborations, he has appeared in many other motion pictures, including Used Cars, Clue, and Short Circuit 2. He also provided the voice for Lou Pickles in the Rugrats franchise.
Stage and game show appearances
Michael McKean has established a well-known presence on the Broadway stage. He made his debut in 2004 playing Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray. In 2014, he performed the dual roles of J. Edgar Hoover and Robert Byrd in the political production All the Way. His theater credits also include performances in Superior Donuts, The Best Man, and The Little Foxes.
Also, he proved his skill as a game show contestant, accumulating over one million dollars during his appearances on Celebrity Jeopardy.
Birthday and age
Michael McKean was born on October 17, 1947, which makes Michael 79 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Michael shares the date with 29 other famous people.
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