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Michael McKean, actor
Actor

Michael McKean: Movies & Box Office

films
62
on screen
1977–2025
box office
$222M
average score
70
Born
October 17, 1947 (age 78)
Birthplace
New York City, New York, U.S.
Full name
Michael John McKean
Citizenship
American
Occupations
Actor, Comedian, Screenwriter, Director, Singer, Composer, Musician
Years active
1967-present
Spouses
Susan Russell, Annette O'Toole
Children
2
Known for

The Best Michael McKean Movies

The highest-rated films Michael McKean is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. My Little Pony: A New Generation (2021) scores highest, at 81. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

Michael McKean's Career in Numbers

Michael McKean's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Michael McKean works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Cracking Up (1977) to Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025), and the 1990s were the busiest decade.

Michael McKean Movies by Decade

  1. 1970s 1
  2. 1980s 13
  3. 1990s 18
  4. 2000s 12
  5. 2010s 6
  6. 2020s 6

The 1990s were Michael McKean's busiest decade, with 18 films.

Michael McKean Movies by Genre

  • Comedy 17
  • Drama 10
  • Animation 4
  • Adventure 3
  • Action 3
  • Music 3
  • Tv movie 3
  • Family 3
  • Thriller 2
  • Sci-Fi 2

Comedy is the genre Michael McKean has worked in most, with 17 films, ahead of drama (10).

Michael McKean Career Milestones

First film
Cracking Up 1977
Biggest box office hit
Small Soldiers $54.7M worldwide
Best-rated film
My Little Pony: A New Generation Movie Echo Score 81
62 credits

Michael McKean Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Michael McKean is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 70. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Michael McKean Movies as an Actor

56
  1. 2025 Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025) movie poster Spinal Tap II: The End Continues as David St. Hubbins · Comedy Movie Echo Score: 67
  2. 2022 Jerry and Marge Go Large (2022) movie poster Jerry and Marge Go Large as Howard · Biography Movie Echo Score: 67
  3. 2022 Jerry & Marge Go Large (2022) movie poster Jerry & Marge Go Large as Howard · Drama Movie Echo Score: 78
  4. 2021 My Little Pony: A New Generation (2021) movie poster My Little Pony: A New Generation as Argyle · Adventure Movie Echo Score: 81
  5. 2021 Playing God (2021) movie poster Playing God as Frank · Drama Movie Echo Score: 71
  6. 2021 Pink Skies Ahead (2021) movie poster Pink Skies Ahead as Robert · Drama Movie Echo Score: 72
  7. 2019 Image Makers: The Adventures of America’s Pioneer Cinematographers (2019) movie poster Image Makers: The Adventures of America’s Pioneer Cinematographers as Narrator (voice) · History
  8. 2019 Daddio (2019) movie poster Daddio as Paul · Comedy
  9. 2016 The Meddler (2016) movie poster The Meddler Drama
  10. 2013 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013) movie poster Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 as Bartholomew Wolper (voice) · Animation
  11. 2012 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012) movie poster Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 as Dr. Bartholomew Wolper (voice) · Action
  12. 2010 Pure Country 2: The Gift (2010) movie poster Pure Country 2: The Gift as Angel Joseph · Music
  13. 2009 Spinal Tap: Back from the Dead (2009) movie poster Spinal Tap: Back from the Dead as David St. Hubbins · Music
  14. 2007 Billy & Mandy: Wrath of the Spider Queen (2007) movie poster Billy & Mandy: Wrath of the Spider Queen as Kalgoron (voice) · Adventure
  15. 2006 The Year Without a Santa Claus (2006) movie poster The Year Without a Santa Claus as Snow Miser · Tv movie
  16. 2006 Relative Strangers (2006) movie poster Relative Strangers as Ken Hyman · Comedy
  17. 2005 Arnie the Doughnut (2005) movie poster Arnie the Doughnut as Narrator / Arnie the Doughnut (voice) · Animation
  18. 2003 And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (2003) movie poster And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself as William Christy Cabanne · Drama
  19. 2003 A Mighty Wind (2003) movie poster A Mighty Wind Comedy
  20. 2003 Haunted Lighthouse 4-D (2003) movie poster Haunted Lighthouse 4-D as Captain Van Legge · Mystery
  21. 2002 100 Mile Rule (2002) movie poster 100 Mile Rule as Howard · Thriller
  22. 2002 Slap Her... She's French (2002) movie poster Slap Her... She's French Comedy
  23. 2002 The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002) movie poster The Hunchback of Notre Dame II as Sarousch (voice) · Animation
  24. 2001 Recess Christmas: Miracle On Third Street (2001) movie poster Recess Christmas: Miracle On Third Street as Mr. Bream (voice) · Comedy
  25. 1999 Snowden’s Christmas (1999) movie poster Snowden’s Christmas as (voice) · Animation
  26. 1998 Small Soldiers (1998) movie poster Small Soldiers as Insaniac / Freakenstein (voice) · Adventure
  27. 1998 Final Justice (1998) movie poster Final Justice as Merle Hammond · Tv movie
  28. 1998 The Pass (1998) movie poster The Pass as Willie L. · Thriller
  29. 1997 Nothing to Lose (1997) movie poster Nothing to Lose as Phillip "P.B." Barrow · Action
  30. 1997 That Darn Cat (1997) movie poster That Darn Cat Action
  31. 1996 Edie & Pen (1996) movie poster Edie & Pen as Rick · Comedy
  32. 1996 The Sunshine Boys (1996) movie poster The Sunshine Boys as Scott Grogan · Drama
  33. 1994 Spinal Tap: The Final Tour (1994) movie poster Spinal Tap: The Final Tour as David St. Hubbins
  34. 1994 Radioland Murders (1994) movie poster Radioland Murders as Rick Rochester · Drama
  35. 1994 Across the Moon (1994) movie poster Across the Moon as Frank · Drama
  36. 1992 A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out (1992) movie poster A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out as David St. Hubbins / Jerry Palter · Comedy
  37. 1992 Metallica: A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica (1992) movie poster Metallica: A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica as David St. Hubbins · Music
  38. 1992 Man Trouble (1992) movie poster Man Trouble as Eddy Revere · Romance
  39. 1991 Amnesty International’s Big 30 (1991) movie poster Amnesty International’s Big 30 as David St. Hubbins · Comedy
  40. 1991 True Identity (1991) movie poster True Identity Comedy
  41. 1990 Book of Love (1990) movie poster Book of Love as Adult Jack Twiller · Comedy
  42. 1990 Flashback (1990) movie poster Flashback as Hal Cresciman · Comedy
  43. 1989 The Big Picture (1989) movie poster The Big Picture Drama
  44. 1989 Hider in the House (1989) movie poster Hider in the House as Phil Dreyer · Horror
  45. 1989 Earth Girls Are Easy (1989) movie poster Earth Girls Are Easy Sci-Fi
  46. 1988 Portrait of a White Marriage (1988) movie poster Portrait of a White Marriage as Reverend Alfred 'Alfie' Prufrock · Tv movie
  47. 1987 Double Agent (1987) movie poster Double Agent as Jason Starr / Warren Starbinder · Comedy
  48. 1987 Light of Day (1987) movie poster Light of Day Drama
  49. 1986 Davy Crockett (1986) movie poster Davy Crockett as Mr. Wallace · Family
  50. 1986 Johnny Appleseed (1986) movie poster Johnny Appleseed as Mac Macintosh · Family
  51. 1986 The History of White People in America: Volume II (1986) movie poster The History of White People in America: Volume II as Rev. Alfred 'Alfie' Prufrock · Comedy
  52. 1985 D.A.R.Y.L. (1985) movie poster D.A.R.Y.L. as Andy Richardson · Family
  53. 1984 This Is Spinal Tap (1984) movie poster This Is Spinal Tap Comedy
  54. 1983 Imps* (1983) movie poster Imps* as Fritz #2 · Comedy
  55. 1982 Young Doctors in Love (1982) movie poster Young Doctors in Love as Dr. Simon August · Comedy
  56. 1977 Cracking Up (1977) movie poster Cracking Up Sci-Fi
Biography

Who Is Michael McKean?

Michael McKean was born in New York City, New York, U.S. in 1947 and is 78 years old. Credited on films since 1977, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Michael John McKean was born on October 17, 1947, in New York City at Manhattan Women's Hospital. With a career spanning decades, he has become a recognized figure in the American film, television, and theater industry, acclaimed for his work as an actor, comedian, screenwriter, composer, singer, and musician. Over the course of his career, he has received an array of prestigious accolades, including a Grammy Award and nominations for awards like the Academy Award and Primetime Emmy. McKean started his career with the ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley, going on to have a diverse career that includes films like Used Cars, Clue, The Big Picture and collaborations with Christopher Guest. His songwriting prowess won him a Grammy for the song "A Mighty Wind" and he was Primetime Emmy nominated for his role as Chuck McGill on the AMC series Better Call Saul.

His journey from his early career beginnings in Pittsburgh to the peak of Hollywood and Broadway is marked by several prominent roles and collaborations with major artists. His film roles, TV shows, musical performances, and Broadway plays have consistently demonstrated his compelling talent and versatile capabilities. He was the oldest person to ever join the cast of Saturday Night Live at the time, voiced various characters in children's TV shows and films, and has appeared on many popular TV series including Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, Grace and Frankie, and Star Trek: Voyager among many others. His work extends to stage performances, having debuted on Broadway as Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray. He has also made significant contributions in the field of music, having released an album and co-written Grammy winning songs.

Works with

Who Michael McKean Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Michael McKean shares the most films with. Harry Shearer comes first, with 12 films together, followed by Christopher Guest (10).

FAQ

Michael McKean: Questions & Answers

How many movies Michael McKean has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has Michael McKean been in?

Michael McKean is credited on 62 films, from 1977 to 2025. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is Michael McKean's highest-grossing movie?

Small Soldiers (1998) is Michael McKean's biggest box office hit, with $54.7M worldwide, ahead of Nothing to Lose (1997) ($44.5M). Across every film with box office figures, Michael McKean's movies have made $222M.

Michael McKean's biggest hits

What is the best Michael McKean movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Michael McKean's best-rated film is My Little Pony: A New Generation (2021) with a score of 81, followed by Jerry & Marge Go Large (2022) (78).

Best Michael McKean movies, ranked

How old is Michael McKean?

Michael McKean is 78 years old, born on October 17, 1947 in New York City, New York, U.S..

What is Michael McKean's newest movie?

The most recent film on Michael McKean's filmography is Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025), in the role of David St. Hubbins.

Who does Michael McKean work with most often?

Michael McKean shares the most films with Harry Shearer (12 films), Christopher Guest (10 films) and Fred Willard (8 films).

The Best Michael McKean Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 62 credits.

See the ranking

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