Christopher McDonald

What's After the Movie

Christopher McDonald

Christopher McDonald (born February 15, 1955) is an esteemed American actor renowned for his appearances in film, television, theatre and as a voice artist. McDonald is recognized for his role as the villainous professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 comedy 'Happy Gilmore.' Notable roles also include 'T-Birds' member Goose McKenzie in 'Grease 2', Darryl Dickinson opposite Geena Davis in 'Thelma & Louise', Ward Cleaver in the film adaptation 'Leave It to Beaver', and Tappy Tibbons in 'Requiem for a Dream'. Beyond independent and small-budget films, McDonald has featured in box-office hits such as 'Grumpy Old Men', 'Flubber', 'Rumor Has It', 'The House Bunny' and 'About Last Night'. On television, he was a series regular on network TV shows like 'Walter & Emily', 'Good Advice', 'Family Law', 'Cracking Up' and 'Harry's Law'. McDonald has portrayed real-life individuals including game show host Jack Barry in 'Quiz Show', mountaineer Jon Krakauer in 'Into Thin Air: Death on Everest', sportscaster Mel Allen in '61*', Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio in 'The Bronx Is Burning', U.S. Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty in 'Boardwalk Empire', and Clinton lawyer Robert S. Bennett in 'Impeachment: American Crime Story'. In 2022, McDonald was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as casino CEO Marty Ghilain on the HBO Max show 'Hacks'. McDonald's acting career first began in 1978 when he appeared as a contestant on 'The Dating Game'. Since then, his wealth of films and television roles, often as a supporting actor and frequently portraying villains, has spanned several decades. A versatile actor, he has also provided his voice for various animated series, and replaced Robert De Niro in the 'Midnight Run' film franchise.

78 movies

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Biography, Career & Filmography

Learn more about Christopher McDonald, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Christopher McDonald rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.


Given Name: Christopher McDonald

Born: New York City, New York, U.S.

Citizenship: American

Birthday: February 15, 1955

Occupations: Film actor, Television actor, Theatre actor, Voice actor

Years Active: 1978-present

Children: 4

Spouses: Lupe Gidley

Career Timeline

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