Adam McKay | |
|---|---|
.jpg) McKay in 2019 | |
| Born | (1968-04-17)April 17, 1968 (age 56) Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Education | Penn State University Temple University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Organization | Hyperobject Industries |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Jeremy Piven (brother-in-law) |
| Awards | List of awards and nominations |
Adam McKay (born April 17, 1968) is an American screenwriter, producer, and director. McKay began his career as ahead writer for theNBCsketch comedy showSaturday Night Live (SNL) from 1995 to 2001. After leavingSNL, McKay co-wrote with comedianWill Ferrell on his comedy filmsAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004),Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), andThe Other Guys (2010). Ferrell and McKay later co-wrote and co-produced many television series and films, with McKay himself co-producing their websiteFunny or Die through their company,Gary Sanchez Productions.
McKay began venturing into more dramatic territory in the 2010s. He wrote and directed the satirical filmsThe Big Short (2015),Vice (2018), andDon't Look Up (2021). McKay won anAcademy Award, aBAFTA, and aCritics' Choice Award for adapting the screenplay ofThe Big Short.[1][2][3] In 2019, McKay founded the production companyHyperobject Industries.
McKay was born inDenver, Colorado, and raised inWorcester, Massachusetts[4] and laterMalvern, Pennsylvania[5] by his mother, Sarah, a waitress, and his father, a musician.[6][7] When McKay was seven his parents divorced.[6] He attendedGreat Valley High School in Malvern, where he graduated in 1986. He then attendedPenn State University for a year prior to transferring toTemple University, where he majored inEnglish. McKay dropped out of Temple a semester-and-a-half before he was set to earn his bachelor's degree. He described it as "settling with an imaginary degree".[8]
McKay studied underDel Close atThe Second City and then joined The Second City Touring Company. He performed in one revue as a member of the Second City e.t.c. company and filled in on the Mainstage in the 79th Review before moving fully to the Mainstage for Second City’s 80th revue, Piñata Full of Bees. The landmark show also featuredJon Glaser,Rachel Dratch, andScott Adsit.[9]
McKay is one of the founding members of theUpright Citizens Brigadeimprov comedy group and a former performer at Chicago'sImprovOlympic, where he was a member of the improv group, The Family, whose members includedMatt Besser,Ian Roberts,Neil Flynn, Miles Stroth, andAli Farahnakian, as well asChild's Play Touring Theatre.[6]
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McKay originally auditioned forSaturday Night Live to be an onscreen performer, but did not make the cut. However, the scripts he submitted earned him a job as a writer in 1995. Within a year, McKay becamehead writer at age 28, a position he held until 1999.[10] He also directed a number ofshort films for the show, including the originalSNL Digital Shorts.[11] McKay encouraged his Second City friendTina Fey to submit some of her scripts toSaturday Night Live, and she later succeeded him as head writer.[12] Though McKay was never an actualSNL cast member, he did make several on-camera appearances over the years and had a recurring role as an obnoxious audience member "Keith" who would often shout insults at the celebrity hosts during their opening monologue.[13] Despite no longer being head writer, McKay would remain at SNL as a regular writer until 2001, where he would depart from the series, after six years.
Shortly after leavingSNL, McKay teamed up with comedianWill Ferrell to form production companyGary Sanchez Productions and write the comedy filmsAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004),Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006),Step Brothers (2008), andThe Other Guys (2010), all of which he also directed, produced and madecameo appearances in as an actor. Ferrell and McKay co-produced theHBO seriesEastbound & Down.[14]
McKay was one of the writers for the filmThe Campaign (2012), and produced the filmDaddy's Home (2015), the latter of which reunitedThe Other Guys stars Ferrell andMark Wahlberg, and was directed bySean Anders. McKay also rewrote the script for theMarvel Studios feature filmAnt-Man, directed byPeyton Reed; McKay had initially been in talks to direct the film followingEdgar Wright's departure, but opted not to out of respect for Wright.[15][16] McKay also worked with Reed,Paul Rudd, Gabriel Ferrari & Andrew Barrer onAnt-Man and the Wasp to flesh out the story.[17] He has also expressed interest in helming aSilver Surfer movie forMarvel Studios.[18]
He produced the filmsLand of the Lost (2009),The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009),The Virginity Hit (2010),Casa de Mi Padre (2012),Bachelorette (2012),Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie (2012),The Campaign (2012),Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013),Tammy (2014),Welcome to Me (2014),Get Hard (2015),Sleeping with Other People (2015),Daddy's Home (2015), andThe Boss (2016).
In addition toEastbound & Down, McKay has produced the television seriesBig Lake andSuccession, whose pilot he directed, and theminiseriesThe Spoils of Babylon, andThe Chris Gethard Show.
In April 2019, McKay and Ferrell announced that they were separating as producing partners but would continue producing all projects currently in development or in production at Gary Sanchez Productions.[19] It was later revealed the reason for the split was because McKay castJohn C. Reilly asJerry Buss on the showWinning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, a role that Ferrell had coveted, without informing him.[20]
In 2019, McKay launched a new production company,Hyperobject Industries, which has afirst look overall television deal withHBO and had a first-look feature deal atParamount Pictures. Hyperobject Industries' first television project was an HBO pilot based on Jeff Pearlman's non-fiction bookShowtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay directed the pilot.[21][22] More recently, McKay's Hyperobject Industries has a first look deal withApple.[23]
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McKay has directed, and co-written with Will Ferrell, the filmsAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004),Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006),Step Brothers (2008),The Other Guys (2010), andAnchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013). He has directed an "alternate film" aboutRon Burgundy that is considered a companion toAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) entitledWake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie (2004), which is made up mostly of alternative takes, deleted scenes, and scrapped sub-plots from the original film strung together with a narrative.
McKay directed and co-wrote with Ferrell theGeorge W. Bush Broadway showYou're Welcome America. He produced thehorror-action filmHansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.[24]
McKay directed the TV movie documentaryLifecasters (2013). He has directed a number of short films, including digital shorts forSaturday Night Live, and the short video "Good Cop, Baby Cop" for Funny or Die that stars his daughter Pearl. Among the other short films he has directed includeThe Procedure (2007) starringWill Ferrell,Willem Dafoe, andAndy Richter,Green Team (2008) starring Ferrell,John C. Reilly, and himself, and theK-Swiss commercial,Kenny Powers: The K-Swiss MFCEO (2011), starringDanny McBride asKenny Powers fromEastbound & Down, which he co-produces with Ferrell and has also directed an episode of.
He directed and wrotethe film adaptation of theMichael Lewis non-fiction bookThe Big Short, about thefinancial and subprime mortgage crisis of 2007-2008,[25] and the build-up of the financial and credit bubble. The film opened inlimited release on December 11, 2015, expanded towide release on December 23, 2015; the film starredBrad Pitt,Christian Bale,Ryan Gosling, andSteve Carell. He received a nomination for theAcademy Award for Best Director and theAcademy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work in the film, winning his first Academy Award in the latter category. In 2016, he and co-writer Charles Randolph received theUSC Scripter Award for their screenplay.
In 2016, he became attached to the superhero filmIrredeemable based on thecomic of the same name byMark Waid.[26]
In November 2016, McKay began development of thebiographicalblack comedyBackseat, about formerU.S. Vice PresidentDick Cheney and his rise to power, though the title was eventually changed toVice.[27][28] StarringChristian Bale as Cheney, the film was released in the United States on December 25, 2018, byAnnapurna Pictures.[28] Despite polarized reviews,[29]Vice received eight nominations at the91st Academy Awards, including theBest Picture and McKay's second nomination for Best Director, and won forBest Make-Up and Hairstyling.[30]
In 2020, McKay began working on thesatiricalblack comedyDon't Look Up, about two low levelscientists trying to convince the world that a catastrophiccomet is coming. McKay wrote the script and produced the film forNetflix.Jennifer Lawrence,Leonardo DiCaprio,Jonah Hill,Rob Morgan,Tyler Perry,Meryl Streep, andCate Blanchett star in the film.[31][32][33] It received alimited theatrical release in December 2021, before streaming onNetflix later in the month.[34] The film received four nominations at the94th Academy Awards, includingBest Picture.
McKay was set to work withJennifer Lawrence for the biographical filmBad Blood, about entrepreneurElizabeth Holmes, and based on the bookBad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup.[35] Originally set to be produced byLegendary Pictures and released byUniversal Pictures, in December 2021, the project was picked up byApple Studios.[36] In November 2022, however, Lawrence left the project due to not wanting to copyAmanda Seyfried's performance inThe Dropout. The current status of the project is unknown.[37]
In March 2023, it was revealed that McKay's next project would be titledAverage Height, Average Build, a political satire focused on a serial killer. The film was set to starRobert Pattinson,Amy Adams,Robert Downey Jr.,Forest Whitaker, andDanielle Deadwyler.[38] On April 30, 2023, it was announced the project had been acquired byNetflix.[39] On December 4, 2023, it was announced that McKay had left the project to pursue a film on climate change, and the project was subsequently scrapped.[40]
In 2007, McKay and Ferrell launched the user-submitted comedy video siteFunny or Die. A video on the site, titledThe Landlord,[41] features both him and his young daughter, Pearl, whom Ferrell and his wife bait to saycurse words. Pearl also starred in a second video titledGood Cop, Baby Cop.
From November 2015 until October 2016, McKay hosted the science/comedy podcastSurprisingly Awesome withAdam Davidson, produced byGimlet Media.[42] McKay additionally producedBroken: Jeffrey Epstein andBroken: Seeking Justice, a podcast series that explored theJeffrey Epstein case. His next podcast project,Death at the Wing, investigated a series of deaths among high-profile youngbasketball players in the 1980s and 1990s. In February 2022, he appeared as a guest onSmartless, a comedic podcast hosted byJason Bateman,Will Arnett andSean Hayes. In 2023, he hostedDeath on the Lot about celebrity deaths in Hollywood in the 1950s.[43][44][45][46]
In 1999, he marriedShira Piven, a film and television director.[47] They have two daughters.[2] His brother-in-law is actorJeremy Piven.
McKay supportsgun control[48] andabortion rights.[49]
He has been critical of former PresidentBill Clinton. "I legitimately think Bill Clinton is one of the worst presidents in the modern age". McKay criticized Clinton for deregulating banks and for his personal life in light of theMeToo movement.[50]
McKay serves on the Creative Council ofRepresentUs, anonpartisan anti-corruption organization.[51] He was a supporter of theDemocratic Party and endorsedBernie Sanders forPresident of the United States in 2016 and again in 2020.[52][53][54] He identifies as ademocratic socialist and joined theDemocratic Socialists of America in 2019.[55][56]
McKay was criticized for going soft on Democrats for their role in theIraq War in his filmVice, which he later said was a mistake. "I regret not giving more blame to the Democrats, who went along with the war in Iraq...I made mistakes, read the reviews and went, 'Yes, fair,'" he toldVariety in March 2022.[57]
In October 2023, McKay signed theArtists4Ceasefire open letter to US presidentJoe Biden, calling for a ceasefire of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.[58]
On November 6, 2024, afterDonald Trump won the2024 presidential election, McKay announced that he would be leaving the Democratic Party, writing on X: "It is time to abandon the Dem Party. I'm registering Green Party or Working Families. But am open to ideas."[59]
McKay is a prominent voice forclimate action. In 2022, he donated $4 million to theClimate Emergency Fund and joined its board of directors.[60] He has also donated toJust Stop Oil.[61]
In 2023, McKay founded Yellow Dot Studios to raise awareness and mobilize action on the climate emergency.[62][63][64] The non-profit company produces videos and campaigns to tackle the misinformation promoted by the oil industry.[65][66][67][68]
He has spoken prominently about his experience with climate anxiety and the importance of comedy and humor as tools in addressing the climate crisis, while he has also spoken in support of disruptive climate activism.[69][70][71][72][73][74][75]
At age 26, McKay first noticed shaking in his hands while performing withSecond City. Around 2000, he was diagnosed withessential tremor.[76] The condition causes his body and voice to quiver. He conducts print interviews lying down and televised ones in a special high backed chair to accommodate his disability.[77][78]
In 2018, McKay had aheart attack while filmingVice, starringChristian Bale, whose characterDick Cheney has multiple heart attacks in the film. McKay credits his awareness of the issue from researching the film with his quick response that got him to the hospital before he incurred any permanent damage.[79] During an interview on the 347th episode ofThe Empire Film Podcast, McKay said: "Either Christian Bale or Dick Cheney just saved my life."[80]
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy | Yes | Yes | No | Also executive soundtrack producer |
| Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| 2006 | Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby | Yes | Yes | Executive | Also songwriter: "Guaranteed Cool" |
| 2008 | Step Brothers | Yes | Yes | Executive | Also songwriter: "Boats 'n Hoes", "Back and Forth", "Family Bible", and "Captain Benevent & His Ragtag Crew" |
| 2010 | The Other Guys | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also songwriter: "Pimps Don't Cry", "Let the Dragon Loose", "Lendl Global Jingle", and "Ugly Sunday" |
| 2012 | The Campaign | No | Story | Yes | |
| 2013 | Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also executive soundtrack producer and songwriter: "Whammy Chicken", "Doby", "Big, Big World", and "Gay For a Day" |
| 2015 | Get Hard | No | Story | Yes | |
| Ant-Man | No | Yes | No | ||
| The Big Short | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| 2018 | Ant-Man and the Wasp | No | Uncredited | No | |
| Vice | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 2021 | Don't Look Up | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Producer only
| Executive producer only
|
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | God Hates Cartoons | Uncle Gabby |
| 2003 | Pushing Tom | The Boss |
| Felicia and the Great Quebec | Big Dick Cash | |
| 2004 | Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy | Custodian |
| Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie | ||
| 2006 | Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby | Terry Cheveaux |
| 2008 | Step Brothers | Man without Glasses |
| 2010 | The Other Guys | Dirty Mike |
| Year | Title | Director | Executive producer | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2001 | Saturday Night Live | Yes | No | Yes | Also credited as "Coordinator of Falconry"[82] |
| 2009–2013 | Eastbound & Down | Yes | Yes | No | Directed episode: "Chapter 5" |
| 2010–2011 | Funny or Die Presents | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2013 | Lifecasters | Yes | No | No | Documentary film |
| 2018–2023 | Succession | Yes | Yes | No | Directed episode: "Celebration" |
| 2022–2023 | Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty | Yes | Yes | No | Directed episode: "The Swan" |
Executive producer only
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Big Lake | |
| 2013–2019 | Drunk History | |
| 2014 | The Spoils of Babylon | |
| 2014–2015 | Bad Judge | |
| 2015 | The Spoils Before Dying | |
| A Deadly Adoption | Television film | |
| 2015–2017 | The Chris Gethard Show | |
| 2017–2018 | I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman | |
| 2017–2019 | I'm Sorry | |
| 2017–2021 | No Activity | |
| 2018 | LA to Vegas | |
| 2019 | Live in Front of a Studio Audience | Television specials |
| 2019–2022 | Dead to Me | |
| 2020 | Robbie | |
| 2020–2022 | Motherland: Fort Salem | |
| 2021 | Q: Into the Storm | Television documentary |
| 2022 | The Invisible Pilot | Television documentary |
Acting roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2001 | Saturday Night Live | Various | 15 episodes (uncredited) |
| 2007 | Human Giant | Alan Harkett (voice) | Episode "24 Hour Marathon" |
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Procedure | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| The Landlord | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Role: Friend | |
| Good Cop, Baby Cop | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Role: Policeman | |
| 2008 | Green Team | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Role: Erin Gossamer |
| Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Ad | No | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Ron Howard's Call to Action | No | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| 2008–2016 | Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis | No | No | Yes | No | |
| 2010 | Presidential Reunion | No | No | Yes | No | |
| Will Ferrell's NYPD Recruitment Video | No | No | Yes | No | ||
| 2011 | A Public Statement from Anthony Weiner's Penis | No | No | Yes | No | |
| 2014 | COPS: Ferguson | No | No | Yes | No | |
| 2015 | Mexican Donald Trump | No | No | Yes | No | |
| 2017 | The President's Sun | No | No | Yes | No |
| Year | Title | Academy Awards | BAFTA Awards | Golden Globe Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominations | Wins | Nominations | Wins | Nominations | Wins | ||
| 2015 | The Big Short | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2018 | Vice | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| 2021 | Don't Look Up | 4 | 4 | 4 | |||
| Total | 17 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 14 | 1 | |
Directed Academy Award performances
Under McKay's direction, these actors have receivedAcademy Award nominations for their performances in their respective roles.
| Year | Performer | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Award for Best Actor | |||
| 2019 | Christian Bale | Vice | Nominated |
| Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor | |||
| 2016 | Christian Bale | The Big Short | Nominated |
| 2019 | Sam Rockwell | Vice | Nominated |
| Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress | |||
| 2019 | Amy Adams | Vice | Nominated |
