Michael McDonald (comedian)

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Michael McDonald
Michael mcdonald.jpg
McDonald in 2010
Born Michael James McDonald
(1964-12-31) December 31, 1964 (age 59)
Fullerton, California, U.S.
Residence Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California
Other names Mike McDonald
Occupation Stand-up comedian, actor, director, writer, comedian
Years active 1987–present
Website michaelmcdonald.biz

Michael James McDonald (born December 31, 1964) is an American actor, director, writer, and comedian. He is best known for starring in the sketch comedy show MADtv. McDonald joined the show during the fourth season (1998) and remained in the cast until the end of the thirteenth and penultimate season, having become the longest-tenured cast member. While on the show, he developed many memorable characters. He was a contributing writer and director on MADtv.

McDonald also directed several episodes of the comedy-drama series Scrubs, on which he guest-starred 6 times.

McDonald currently divides his time between writing, directing, and acting on various film and television projects, as well as performing live on stage across the country.

Early life

McDonald was born in Fullerton, California. He graduated from St. Juliana Catholic Elementary School in Fullerton, and later went to Servite High School in Anaheim, California, and graduated from the University of Southern California with a business degree. While at USC, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He worked as a loan officer at a bank in Los Angeles.

After college, a friend took McDonald to see an improv comedy show at Groundling Theater. McDonald quit his job at the bank and enrolled in Groundling's improv program. He was a member of the troupe from 1992 to 1997. During that time, he was also involved in writing and directing films for Roger Corman.

Later on, McDonald would guest star in such shows as Seinfeld (in two episodes playing two different parts), Just Shoot Me!, Family Matters, Scrubs and NewsRadio. He also made brief appearances in all three Austin Powers movies. McDonald had a starring role with Will Forte and Nicole Sullivan on the short-lived MTV show Clone High as the voice of Gandhi.

Career

Stand-up comedy

Michael is currently touring at stand up comedy clubs across the country. His stand-up comedy special Michael McDonald: Model Citizen premiered on Showtime on October 9, 2010. Filmed in Orange County at the OC Pavilion, it has been described as "Part stand-up comedy, part one man show, this special is for anyone who – like Michael – finds humor in the strange world all around us."

Cougar Town

McDonald was also a writer, director, and producer of the ABC TV series Cougar Town. He directed a number of episodes of the show, including "Letting You Go", "Everything Man", "When a Kid Goes Bad", "Stop Dragging My Heart Around", and "Don't Come Around Here No More". McDonald also wrote the episode "Wake Up Time".

MADtv

McDonald joined the cast of MADtv in 1998, eventually becoming the longest-standing cast member in the show's history (10 seasons). He performed several recurring characters, including Stuart, Rusty Miller, Marvin Tikvah, Sean Gidcomb, Bible Dude, the Depressed Persian Tow Truck Man, and F. Michael McKrofsky of "Real M*********ing Talk" (replacing Andrew Daly's token white commentator on that sketch).

Much like Darrell Hammond, Phil Hartman, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Hader on Saturday Night Live, McDonald was the go-to cast member for a litany of impressions, ranging from past and present movie and TV stars to world leaders and American political figures. Some memorable impressions he's done include Bob Barker, John Kerry, Dr. Phil, Bill O'Reilly, Maury Povich, Chris Martin from the band Coldplay, Steve Jobs, Mel Gibson, Chris Hansen, Terry O'Quinn (as John Locke), Ozzy Osbourne, Jean-Benet Ramsey's father John, J. K. Simmons (as Mac McGuff, Juno's father and from his role in Oz), Hugh Laurie (as Gregory House), Hugh Beaumont (as Ward Cleaver), Sarah Jessica Parker (as Carrie Bradshaw), Dr. Drew, Howie Mandel, Simon Cowell, JC Chasez, Caitlyn Jenner (then Bruce),[lower-alpha 1] Michael Richards, Chris Burke, Charlie Sheen (as Charlie Harper), David Schwimmer (as Ross Geller), Jeff Probst, Tim Gunn (Project Runway), Howard K. Stern, Tommy Lee, Criss Angel, Jeff Foxworthy, Saddam Hussein, Larry David, Barry Gibb, Eddie Vedder, and Brad Garrett.

After 10 years on MADtv, McDonald left the cast, but was a contributing writer and director for the show's final season. McDonald was the last member of the cast to be hired in the 1990s, and the last cast member to have been born in the 1960s, and is the only cast member to have a "best of" clip show special dedicated to him.

Film and television appearances

Year Title Role Remarks
1987 Stand Up America Himself
1991 Dance With Death Henry
Uncaged Clean Cut John
1992 Final Judgement Rainy
In the Heat of Passion Nick
Body Waves Squirrely
Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation Disc Jockey
1993 Full Contact Uncredited Role
The John Larroquette Show Phil
Family Matters : Episode 4-24 Buds 'n' Buns Manager of the Mighty Weenie
1994 In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful Bartender
Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love Party Guest
Revenge of the Red Baron Psychiatrist
No Dessert, Dad, Till You Mow the Lawn Evil Hypnotist
The Unborn II Welfare Worker #1
Leprechaun 2 Bar owner who was comically killed by Leprechaun with an overheated espresso machine.
1995 The Crazysitter Mr. Smith
Criminal Hearts Tierney
A Bucket of Blood Dancer
Virtual Seduction Disoriented Man
Baby Face Nelson Reporter
Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero Corey
Carnosaur 2 Evac. Team Pilot
Hideaway Young Cop
Sawbones Prostitute
Twisted Love Stoned Kid
Bloodfist VII: Manhunt Running Officer
Seinfeld Player #2
1996 Carnosaur 3: Primal Species Police Officer Wilson
Seinfeld Jesse
1997 Ellen The Guy
NewsRadio Lee
Casper: A Spirited Beginning Sarcastic Protester
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Security guard crushed by a steam roller
1998 The Drew Carey Show Parking attendant
Casper Meets Wendy The Human Stretch
Richie Rich's Christmas Wish Montgomery
1999 Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me NATO Soldier
Banned in America: The World's Sexiest Commercials Host
Futurama Various
2000 Chump Change Dack
2001 Passions The face in the pool
Scrubs Season 1 Episode 9 "My Day Off" Mike Davis
Invader Zim Voices: Robo-dad, Irken crew member, electronic voice and various minor characters. Voiced two 2001 episodes and two 2006 episodes
2002 Slackers Economics professor
Greg the Bunny Leo
Austin Powers in Goldmember Royal Guard
Scrubs Season 1 Episode 12 "My Blind Date" & Season 2 Episode 3 "My Case Study" Mike Davis
2003 Clone High Gandhi
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Maitre d'
2004 Outing Riley Andy
2005 Fat Actress Sam Rascal Played agent of titular character
Desperate Housewives Steven 'Silly People' episode
All Grown Up Jason Matheny
2006 Talkshow with Spike Feresten Himself Guest-starred
7th Heaven Edward Jameson Guest-starred: (2005–2007)
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List Himself Guest starred- for two episodes in Iraq
2007 Scrubs Season 6 Episode 20 "My Conventional Wisdom" Voice of Dr. Toilet Also directed this episode.
Moonpie Mitch Henderson Main Role
2008 MADtv (1998–2008) Various Has appeared in 239 episodes (Season 4-13)
Scrubs Season 7 Episode 8 "My Manhood" Patient's Husband Also directed this episode.
Hannah Montana Chef Duncan Keats guest
MADtv Director Has Directed in 4 episodes
2009 Kath & Kim Judge from Parade of Homes guest
MADtv Himself First Cast Member to have his own "Best of" Special.
Scrubs Season 8 Episode 18 "My Finale" Mr. Cropper
Reaper Season 2 Episode 11 "To Sprong, With Love" Mr. Elliott Sprong
Pushing Daisies Season 2 Episode 13 "Kerplunk" Galveston Gus
Rita Rocks Rob Boone 4 episodes
2010 Michael McDonald: Model.Citizen Himself One hour stand up comedy special on Showtime
Web Therapy Season 3 Episode 2 "Staff Infection" Ben Tomlund
Web Therapy Season 3 Episode 13 "I Love You, Man" Ben Tomlund
Web Therapy Season 3 Episode 15 "Can You Get Up?" Ben Tomlund
The YogPod Episode 32 Avid Yogpod Listener
2011 Cougar Town Season 2 Episode 16 "Baby's a Rock 'N' Roller" Wayne Gibbons
Cougar Town Season 2 Episode 17 "You're Gonna Get It" Wayne Gibbons
2012 Web Therapy Season 2 Episode 3 "Campaign Reform" Ben Tomlund
Web Therapy Season 2, Episode 7 "Infanticipation" Ben Tomlund
2013 House of Lies Season 2, Episode 5 "Sincerity Is an Easy Disguise in This Business" Carl Criswell
House of Lies Season 2, Episode 7 "The Runner Stumbles" Carl Criswell
The Heat Julian
2014 Community Season 5 Episode 12 "Basic Story" Ronald Mohammed
2015 Spy Patrick

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List

Episode Number Episode Title Airdate Notes
01 (Season 1) Hot to Tot August 10, 2005
02 (Season 2) Red State, Blue State June 13, 2006
03 (Season 2) Iraq June 20, 2006
04 (Season 2) Rocket Attack June 27, 2006
05 (Season 4) No Time for Siestas July 17, 2008
06 (Season 4) What's Woz's Love Got to Do with It August 7, 2008
09 (Season 4) Red, White and Don't Be Blue August 14, 2008
07 (Season 5) Grammy Shmammy June 22, 2009
08 (Season 5) Paris Is My New BFF June 29, 2009
09 (Season 5) Maggie's Bucket List July 6, 2009

Notes

  1. Jenner changed her name due to gender transition in 2015.[1]

References

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External links

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