Happy Gilmore

Background:

American actor Christopher McDonald has taken roles in numerous movies and series, including Happy Gilmore (1996), where he costarred as Shooter McGavin, alongside actor/comedian Adam Sandler. He was also seen as the crude husband of Geena Davis’ character in Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise (1991), Kirstie Alley’s husband in the sitcom “Veronica’s Closet” (1997-1999), Tappy Tibbons in the star-studded Requiem for a Dream (2000), and Roger McManus in the box-office movie Rumor Has It (2005).

The actor will appear in upcoming projects like Kickin It Old Skool (2006), Fanboys (2007) and the straight-to-video American Pie 5: The Naked Mile (2007). McDonald, who is a friend of actress Sheryl Lee, is the father of four from his marriage to Lupe Gidley.


Studious Actor

Childhood and Family:

Christopher McDonald was born in New York City, on February 15, 1955, but grew up in Romulus, a small town in upstate New York. His father was a high school principal and music director. One of seven children, Christopher is an older brother of actor Daniel McDonald.

After finishing his Theater Arts studies at the Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, Christopher pursued his passion for acting by entering the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, as well as the Stella Adler Acting Conservatory in New York. Christopher now lives in Southern California with wife Lupe Gidley, whom he married in 1992, and four children.


Final Touches

Career:

Christopher McDonald kicked off his acting career in 1978 when he took a minor role as the usher in the made-for-TV drama Getting Married. Two years later, he tried the stage in the Elizabeth Swados musical “Nightclub Cantata” (1980), as well as had his movie debut in The Hearse (1980, as Pete).

McDonald was immediately noticed after delivering a good performance in the Los Angeles stage play “Final Touches” (1981), for which he received a Dramalogue Best Actor award. Later, he also entertained stage audiences with his roles in the Obie-winning musical “Nightclub Cantina,” the acclaimed “Bouncers,” “Hayfever,” as well as revival projects like “Hamlet,” “Othello” and “The Taming of the Shrew.”

Working in a sequel project, the actor was cast as Goose McKenzie in the movie Grease 2 (1982), starring Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer. McDonald, who appeared in the pilot episode of the sitcom “Lottery” (1983), began earning more screen roles, such as Tony in Where the Boys Are ‘84 (1984), Detective Mark Woods in The Boys Next Door (1985), Steve Tyler in the TV thriller comedy Triplecross (1986), George in Outrageous Fortune (1987) and Peter Sin in the straight-to-video Cool Blue (1988).

The prolific actor then accepted a more prominent role in the reincarnation-themed romantic comedy Chances Are (1989), as the killed husband Louie Jeffries. After guest starring in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1990), McDonald carried out a compelling turn as Darryl Dickinson, the crude husband of Geena Davis’ character, in Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise (1991).

Besides doing projects like the sitcom “Walter and Emily” (1991, appeared regularly as Matt Collins) and the little-seen Wild Orchid II: Two Shades of Blue (1992), McDonald also associated with many Hollywood big names, such as actors Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in Grumpy Old Men (1993), actor/director Robert Redford in the fact-based Quiz Show (1994, played game show host Jack Barry), actresses Cindy Crawford and Salma Hayek in Fair Game (1995) and actor/comedian Adam Sandler in the golf-themed Happy Gilmore (1996, costarred as Shooter McGavin). During 1997-1999, the actor appeared on a recurring basis in the Kirstie Alley-starring sitcom “Veronica’s Closet,” as the title character’s philandering husband.

Next, McDonald joined the cast of the CBS legal drama series “Family Law” (1999), played Tappy Tibbons in the star-studded Requiem for a Dream (2000), acted with Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane in Billy Crystal’s HBO historical drama 61* (2001, as Mel Allen) and appeared as the President of the USA in the fantasy movie Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams (2002). McDonald, who in 2003 was seen in the teen feature Grind, also provided his vocals for the animated characters Hego in “Kim Possible” (2004) and Jor El in “Justice League” (2004).

Following his turn as Roger McManus in the star-studded box-office Rumor Has It (2005), McDonald took the part of Vic in the movie adaptation of Ray Cooney’s comedy play, Funny Money (2006). The actor will continue acting in the upcoming You’ve Reached the Elliotts (2006, TV), Kickin It Old Skool (2006) and Summerhood (2006).

In 2007, McDonald will be seen as Dr. Larry Lupin in the drama thriller Awake, the adult Jake in the teen comedy drama My Sexiest Year, as well as Big Chuck Bottler in Fanboys. Additionally, he will take part in the direct-to-video sequels American Pie 5: The Naked Mile (2007) and The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007).


Award:

• Dramalogue: Best Actor, “Final Touches,” 1981