Christopher McDonald | |
|---|---|
.JPG) McDonald in 2011 | |
| Born | (1955-02-15)February 15, 1955 (age 71) Waterloo, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Hobart College |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Daniel McDonald (brother) |
Christopher McDonald (born February 15, 1955)[1][2] is an American actor. He is best known for his villainous role asprofessional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 sports comedyHappy Gilmore, a role he reprised inits 2025 sequel.
Other notable starring roles for McDonald in film include "T-Birds" member Goose McKenzie inGrease 2 (1982), Darryl Dickinson opposite his former fiancéeGeena Davis inThelma & Louise (1991),Ward Cleaver in the film adaptationLeave It to Beaver (1997), Kent Mansley inThe Iron Giant (1999), and Tappy Tibbons inRequiem for a Dream (2000). Along with numerous independent and small-budget film roles, he played supporting characters in box-office hitsGrumpy Old Men (1993),Flubber (1997),Rumor Has It (2005),The House Bunny (2008) andAbout Last Night (2014).
On television, McDonald was a series regular on network TV showsWalter & Emily (1991–1992, NBC),Good Advice (1993–1994, CBS),Family Law (1999–2002, CBS),Cracking Up (2004, FOX) andHarry's Law (2011–2012, NBC). In 2022, McDonald was nominated for aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as casino CEO Marty Ghilain on theHBO Max showHacks.[3]
McDonald has portrayed several notable real-life people, including game show hostJack Barry inQuiz Show (1994), mountaineerJon Krakauer inInto Thin Air: Death on Everest on ABC (1997), sportscasterMel Allen in the HBO film61* (2001), baseball playerJoe DiMaggio in ESPN'sThe Bronx Is Burning (2007), U.S. Attorney GeneralHarry M. Daugherty on HBO'sBoardwalk Empire (2010–2012), Texas revolution soldierHenry Karnes inHistory Channel'sTexas Rising (2015), and Clinton lawyerRobert S. Bennett on FX'sImpeachment: American Crime Story (2021).
McDonald was born in Waterloo, NY to Patricia, a nursing professor andreal estate agent, and James R. McDonald, an educator and high school principal.[4][5][6]
Of Irish descent and a practicing Catholic,[7][8][9] he and his siblings were raised inRomulus, New York. He graduated fromRomulus Central School in 1973[10] and later earned a degree fromHobart College inGeneva, New York where he played football and soccer. He was also a member of theKappa Alpha Society. His younger brother, actor and singerDaniel McDonald, died ofbrain cancer in February 2007.[11] He is a prominent fan of theBuffalo Bills and a friend of former Bills quarterbackJim Kelly.[12]
McDonald was engaged to futureThelma & Louise co-starGeena Davis for a period in the mid-80s until 1985, when she left him forJeff Goldblum.[13] He met actress Lupe Gidley in 1989 when they performed together in a theatre production in New Mexico.[14] They married in 1992 and have four children.[15]
In 1978, McDonald appeared as a contestant onThe Dating Game. McDonald has numerous film and television roles, often as asupporting actor and often portraying villains. His credits includeGrease 2 (1982),Breakin' (1984),Where the Boys Are '84 (1984),The Boys Next Door (1985),Outrageous Fortune (1987),Thelma & Louise (1991),Fatal Instinct (1993),Grumpy Old Men (1993),Quiz Show (1994), theHBO filmThe Tuskegee Airmen (1995),Happy Gilmore (1996),Celtic Pride (1996),House Arrest (1996),Flubber (1997),Dirty Work (1998),The Faculty (1998),The Skulls (2000),The Perfect Storm (2000),Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002),Broken Flowers (2005),Rumor Has It (2005),American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (2006),American Pie Presents: Beta House (2007), andSuperhero Movie (2008). In 1994, he starred in the filmTerminal Velocity as an aggressive Russian mafia villain. He was featured asWard Cleaver in the film version ofLeave It to Beaver (1997). He also played Tappy Tibbons inRequiem for a Dream (2000), and was inThe House Bunny (2008) andAbout Last Night (2014).
In television, along with a starring role on the television seriesWalter & Emily (1991–1992),Family Law (1999–2002),Cracking Up (2004–2006), and recurring roles onNorth Shore (2004),Veronica's Closet (1997–1999),Good Advice (1993–1994), andHarry's Law (2011–2012), McDonald has also made guest appearances onMatlock,Cheers,Riptide,Knight Rider,The Sopranos,Psych, both the1985 and the2002 versions ofThe Twilight Zone,Home Improvement,Las Vegas, theLaw & Order franchise,Stargate Universe, andStar Trek: The Next Generation. He also played the eponymous lead inPeter Gabriel's 2002 music video for the song "The Barry Williams Show".
McDonald has also done voice work, includingJor-El inSuperman: The Animated Series andJustice League Unlimited, and an older version ofSuperman inBatman Beyond. He also voiced the determined government agent Kent Mansley in the animated filmThe Iron Giant (1999). He subbed forBurt Reynolds asBoss Hogg inThe Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007). In 2009, McDonald lent his voice talents in theThomas Nelson audio Bible production known asThe Word of Promise. In this dramatized audio, McDonald played the role ofLuke.[16][17]
McDonald replacedRobert De Niro in theMidnight Run film franchise, playing Jack Walsh in three 1994 films:Another Midnight Run,Midnight Runaround, andMidnight Run for Your Life. He portrayed mountaineerJon Krakauer in theABC filmInto Thin Air: Death on Everest (1997), famous baseball broadcasterMel Allen in theHBO film61* (2001), baseball playerJoe DiMaggio in theESPN original seriesThe Bronx Is Burning (2007) and U.S. Attorney GeneralHarry M. Daugherty on HBO'sBoardwalk Empire (2010–2012). In October 2013, McDonald started filming forA Conspiracy on Jekyll Island.[18] Under the titleThe Crash, it was releaseddirect-to-video in 2017.[19] McDonald also played Texas revolution soldierHenry Karnes inHistory Channel'sTexas Rising (2015), and Clinton lawyerRobert S. Bennett on FX'sImpeachment: American Crime Story (2021).
McDonald appeared as Murphy in the Broadway showThe Front Page at theBroadhurst Theater, which opened in late 2016.[20]
In 2021, McDonald joined the cast ofHacks onHBO Max as Las Vegas casino owner Marty Ghilain, where he was nominated for aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role.[21] In May 2021, he was cast in theDisney+ seriesSecret Invasion as Chris Stearns, a Skrull council member, set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, which premiered in 2023.[22][23] In 2023, McDonald appeared in the music video forcountry music duoThe Reklaws' song "Honky Tonkin' About" withDrake Milligan.[24]
In 2025, McDonald reprised his role as Shooter McGavin inHappy Gilmore 2.[25]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | The Hearse | Pete | |
| 1982 | Grease 2 | Bradley "Goose" McKenzie | |
| The Black Room | Terry | ||
| 1984 | Where the Boys Are '84 | Tony | |
| Breakin' | James | ||
| Chattanooga Choo Choo | Alex O'Donnell | ||
| 1985 | The Boys Next Door | Detective Mark Woods | |
| 1987 | Outrageous Fortune | George | |
| 1988 | Paramedics | Mike "Mad Mike" | |
| 1989 | Cool Blue | Peter Sin | |
| Chances Are | Louie Jeffries | ||
| 1990 | Playroom | Chris | |
| 1991 | Thelma & Louise | Darryl Dickinson | |
| Dutch | Reed Standish | ||
| Wild Orchid II: Two Shades of Blue | Senator Dixon | ||
| 1993 | Cover Story | Sam Sparks | |
| Benefit of the Doubt | Dan | ||
| Conflict of Interest | Mickey Flannery | ||
| Fatal Instinct | Frank Kelbo | ||
| Bums | Sergeant Andrew Holloman | ||
| Grumpy Old Men | Mike | ||
| 1994 | Roadflower | Glen Lerolland | |
| Monkey Trouble | Tom | ||
| Terminal Velocity | Kerr | ||
| Quiz Show | Jack Barry | ||
| 1995 | My Teacher's Wife | Roy Mueller | |
| Forget Paris | Zeus | Voice | |
| Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back | Sheriff Jack Banning | ||
| Fair Game | Lieutenant Meyerson | ||
| 1996 | Happy Gilmore | Shooter McGavin | |
| Unforgettable | Stewart Gleick | ||
| Celtic Pride | Coach Kimball | ||
| House Arrest | Donald Krupp | ||
| The Rich Man's Wife | Tony Potenza | ||
| 1997 | Leave It to Beaver | Ward Cleaver | |
| A Smile Like Yours | Richard Halstrom | ||
| Flubber | Wilson Croft | ||
| The Eighteenth Angel | Hugh Stanton | ||
| Lawn Dogs | Morton Stockard | ||
| 1998 | Dirty Work | Travis Cole | |
| Jaded | Jack Carlson | ||
| SLC Punk! | Mr. Levy | ||
| Gideon | Alan Longhurst | ||
| The Faculty | Mr. Connor | ||
| Divorce: A Contemporary Western | Tony | ||
| 1999 | Five Aces | Ash Gray | |
| The Iron Giant | Kent Mansley | Voice[26] | |
| 2000 | Magicians | Jake | |
| Takedown | Mitch Gibson | ||
| The Skulls | Martin Lombard | ||
| Isn't She Great | Brad Bradburn | ||
| Requiem for a Dream | "Tappy" Tibbons | ||
| The Perfect Storm | Todd Gross | ||
| 2001 | The Theory of the Leisure Class | Buddy Barnett | |
| The Man Who Wasn't There | Macadam Salesman | ||
| 61* | Mel Allen | ||
| 2002 | Speakeasy | Dr. Addams | |
| Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams | President of The United States | ||
| Children on Their Birthdays | "Speedy" Thorne | ||
| 2003 | Grind | Mr. Rivers | |
| 2005 | The L.A. Riot Spectacular | Officer Koon | |
| Broken Flowers | Ron Anderson | ||
| Rumor Has It... | Roger McManus | ||
| 2006 | Funny Money | Vic Johnson | |
| American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile | Harry Stifler | Direct-to-video | |
| 2007 | Kickin' It Old Skool | Marty Schumacher | |
| My Sexiest Year | Adult Jake Stein | ||
| Awake | Dr. Larry Lupin | ||
| American Pie Presents: Beta House | Harry Stifler | Direct-to-video | |
| 2008 | Mad Money | Bryce Arbogast | |
| Superhero Movie | Lou Landers / Hourglass | ||
| Summerhood | Assistant Director | ||
| Player 5150 | Tony | ||
| The House Bunny | Dean Simmons | ||
| An American Carol | Lab Supervisor | ||
| 2009 | Fanboys | Chuck "Big Chuck" | |
| Spooner | Dennis Spooner | ||
| Reunion | Eamon | ||
| Deep in the Valley | Jim "Diamond Jim" | ||
| Splinterheads | Sergeant Bruce Mancuso | ||
| Middle Men | George Harris | ||
| 2010 | Black Widow | Steve | |
| Barry Munday | Dr. Preston Edwards | ||
| The Best and the Brightest | The Player | ||
| Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial | Mirrior Knight | Voice (2012 English dub) | |
| 2011 | Adventures of Serial Buddies | Father Christopher | |
| Cat Run | Bill Kreb | ||
| 2012 | The Collection | Mr. Peters | |
| Not Fade Away | Jack Dietz | ||
| Grassroots | Jim Tripp | ||
| 2014 | About Last Night | Casey McNeil | |
| Believe Me | Ken | ||
| 2015 | Don't Worry Baby | Harry Lang | |
| The Squeeze | "Riverboat" | ||
| Zipper | Peter Kirkland | ||
| 2016 | Exposed | Lieutenant Galway | |
| 2017 | The Crash | Del Banco | |
| Once Upon a Time in Venice | Mr. Carter | ||
| Wetlands | Detective Paddy "Red" Sheehan | [27] | |
| 2018 | Deep Murder | Richard Dangler | [28] |
| Backtrace | Franks | Direct-to-video | |
| 2020 | The Stand at Paxton County | Sheriff Roger Bostwick | |
| We Can Be Heroes | President Neil Anami | ||
| 2021 | Land of Dreams | Blair | [29] |
| Walking with Herb | Wiley Saunders | ||
| 2022 | Rosaline | Lord Capulet | [30] |
| 2023 | Abruptio | Police Chief Richter | [31] |
| 2024 | Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F | Golfer | |
| 2025 | The Last Rodeo | Jimmy Mack | [32] |
| Happy Gilmore 2 | Shooter McGavin | [33] | |
| 2026 | Jimmy | Lionel Barrymore | [34] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Getting Married | Usher | Television film |
| 1981 | Insight | Jeff Curry | Episode: "A Step Too Slow" |
| 1982 | Cheers | Rick Walker | Episode: "Endless Slumper" |
| 1983 | Lottery! | Peter | Episode: "Being a Winner" |
| 1984 | Call to Glory | Tim O'Reilly | 2 episodes |
| 1984–1986 | Riptide | Dennis, Johnny | 2 episodes |
| 1985 | Hunter | Sonny Dupree | Episode: "The Garbage Man" |
| 1985 | Knight Rider | Joe Flynn | Episode: "Ten Wheel Trouble" |
| 1985 | It's a Living | Alexi | Episode: "From Russia with Love" |
| 1986 | 1st & Ten | Detective | Episode: "California Freeze Out" |
| 1986 | The Twilight Zone | Delivery Man | Episode: "Aqua Vita" |
| 1986–1989 | Matlock | Eric Lane, David Channing | 3 episodes |
| 1987 | The Wizard | Paige | Episode: "The Heart of a Dancer" |
| 1987 | Our House | Mr. Tollfeson | Episode: "The Best Intentions" |
| 1987 | Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion | Jeb | Television film |
| 1988 | The Highwayman | Joshua Towler | Episode: "Billionaire Body Club" |
| 1988 | Little Girl Lost | Wolff | Television film |
| 1989 | Paradise | Dexter | 2 episodes |
| 1989 | An Eight Is Enough Wedding | Jeb | Television film |
| 1990 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Lieutenant Richard Castillo | Episode: "Yesterday's Enterprise" |
| 1990–1991 | Empty Nest | Nick Todd | 3 episodes |
| 1991–1992 | Walter & Emily | Matt Collins | 13 episodes |
| 1992 | Home Improvement | Stu Cutler | Episode: "For Whom The Belch Tolls" |
| 1993–1994 | Good Advice | Joey DeRuzza | Series regular |
| 1994 | Another Midnight Run | Jack Walsh | Television film |
| 1994 | Midnight Runaround | Jack Walsh | Television film |
| 1994 | Midnight Run for Your Life | Jack Walsh | Television film |
| 1995 | The Tuskegee Airmen | Major Sherman Joy | Television film |
| 1996 | Superman: The Animated Series | Jor-El | Voice, 3 episodes[26] |
| 1997 | Gun | Lutz | Episode: "Ricochet" |
| 1997–1999 | Veronica's Closet | Bryce Anderson | 9 episodes |
| 1997 | Into Thin Air: Death on Everest | Jon Krakauer | Television film |
| 1999–2002 | Family Law | Rex Weller | 68 episodes |
| 2000 | Batman Beyond | Superman | Voice, episode: "The Call"[26] |
| 2001 | 61* | Mel Allen | Television film |
| 2002 | Total Access 24/7: Spy Kids 2 | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2002 | The Twilight Zone | Rick | Episode: "Mr. Motivation" |
| 2003 | Without a Trace | Bob Carroll | Episodes: "The Bus" |
| 2004 | Justice League Unlimited | Jor-El | Voice, episode: "For the Man Who Has Everything"[26] |
| 2004 | North Shore | Walter Booth | 6 episodes |
| 2004–2006 | Cracking Up | Ted Shackleton | 8 episodes |
| 2004–2007 | Kim Possible | Hego | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2005 | Fat Actress | Jimmy | Episode: "Crack for Good" |
| 2006 | Twins | Terry | Episode: "Blast from the Past" |
| 2006 | Las Vegas | Kidnapper Chips | 2 episodes |
| 2006–2011 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Evan Corman, Declan Pace | 2 episodes |
| 2007 | The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning | Jefferson Davis "Boss" Hogg | Television film |
| 2007 | Medium | Gregory King | Episode: "1-900-Lucky" |
| 2007 | The Sopranos | Eddie Dunne | Episode: "Stage 5" |
| 2007 | The Bronx Is Burning | Joe DiMaggio | Miniseries |
| 2008 | Psych | Paul Haversham | Episode: "Ghosts" |
| 2008 | My Boys | George Newman | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Law & Order | John Jay McIntyre | Episode: "Illegitimate" |
| 2009 | Numbers | Frank Thompson | Episode: "Ultimatum" |
| 2009–2010 | Stargate Universe | Senator Alan Armstrong | 3 episodes |
| 2010–2012 | Boardwalk Empire | Harry M. Daugherty | 7 episodes |
| 2010–2012 | Ben 10: Ultimate Alien | Captain Nemesis | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Lemonade Mouth | Principal Stanley Brenigan | Television film |
| 2011–2012 | Harry's Law | Tommy Jefferson | 32 episodes |
| 2012–2013 | Happy Endings | Mr. Kerkovich | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness | Undertaker | Voice, episode: "The Po Who Cried Ghost"[26] |
| 2013 | Body of Proof | Gerry Roberts | Episode: "Disappearing Act" |
| 2013–2014 | Kirstie | Mr. Sheppard | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Beware the Batman | Harvey Dent | Voice, 8 episodes[26] |
| 2014 | Ben 10: Omniverse | Captain Nemesis | Voice, episode: "The Vengers"[26] |
| 2014 | Regular Show | Carl Putter | Voice, episode: "Daddy Issues"[26] |
| 2015 | Texas Rising | Henry Karnes | 5 episodes |
| 2015 | The League | Judge Raymond Hardy | Episode: "The Last Temptation of Andre" |
| 2015–2016 | The Good Wife | Judge Don Schakowsky | 7 episodes |
| 2016–2019 | Ballers | Dallas Cowboys Owner | 13 episodes |
| 2017 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Harold Coyle | Episode: "The Newsroom" |
| 2017 | Great News | Len | Episode: "Award Show" |
| 2017–2018 | Gone | Pastor | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Superior Donuts | Ted | Episode: "The Chicago Way" |
| 2018 | Living Biblically | Ron Curry | Episode: "Honor Thy Father" |
| 2018 | Sideswiped | Mark | Episode: "Baby Steps" |
| 2018 | Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy | Jim Bassman | Episode: "The Bassman Cometh" |
| 2018–2020 | The Real Bros of Simi Valley | Cal Surf | 9 episodes |
| 2019 | Mr. Iglesias | Coach Dixon | 9 episodes |
| 2019 | Costume Quest | Bob Dickerson | Voice, 9 episodes |
| 2021 | Search Party | Bill | 2 episodes |
| 2021–present | Hacks | Marty | 14 episodes |
| 2021 | Impeachment: American Crime Story | Robert S. Bennett | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | The Watcher | Detective Rourke Chamberland | 7 episodes |
| 2022 | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | Cal Taylor | Episode: "Trucks" |
| 2023 | Secret Invasion | Chris Stearns | 2 episodes |
| 2023 | Captain Fall | Blake Fall | Voice[35] |
| 2023–2024 | Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures | Grandpa Roog | Voice, 2 episodes[26] |
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-2006 | Chicago | Billy Flynn | Broadway,Ambassador Theatre | [36] |
| 2013 | Lucky Guy | Eddie Hayes | Broadway,Broadhurst Theatre | |
| 2016-2017 | The Front Page | Murphy |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Ben 10 Ultimate Alien: Cosmic Destruction | Captain Nemesis | [26] |
| 2025 | PGA Tour 2K25 | Himself | [37] |
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "The Barry Williams Show" | Peter Gabriel |
| 2023 | "Honky Tonkin' About" | The Reklaws (featuringDrake Milligan) |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | New York True Venture Film Festival | Best Actor | Being American | Won | [citation needed] |
| 2022 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Hacks | Nominated | |
| Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
| Online Film and Television Association | Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
| 2024 | Astra TV Awards | Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| 2025 | Astra TV Awards | Nominated |
