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Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald

Actor and director, also writer and producer · Born December 31, 1964 (61) · Fullerton, California, USA

Writers Guild Award nominee

Michael James McDonald (born December 31, 1964) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, and director. He is best known for starring in the sketch comedy show MADtv. He was also a writer, director, and producer of the ABC TV series Cougar Town. His best known movie roles are as Little John in Halloween Kills, Ronovan Scargle in The Happy time Murders, Jonathan in Ghostbusters (2016), Bryce Crean in The Boss, Patrick in Spy, Julian in The Heat, and small roles in each Austin Powers movie. He graduated from USC with a degree in Business and became a loan officer at a bank in Los Angeles. A friend took him to see a sketch comedy/improv show at L.A.'s famous Groundling Theater, and everything changed for him. He quit his job as a banker, enrolled in the Groundling's Improv Program, and became a member of the troupe from 1992 to 1997. His first professional writing and acting jobs came from Concorde Pictures, Roger Corman's infamous low-budget movie studio. Starting as an extra, he landed small roles in many B-movies of the early 1990s, and he gradually earned bigger roles as well as eventually writing and directing some films. He joined MADtv 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. After 10 years on MADtv, he left the cast, but was a contributing writer and director for the show's final season. He 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.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 31, 1964 (61)
From
Fullerton, California, USA
Works as
Actor and director, also writer and producer
Titles
85 on MovieCove · 105 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 2% in 30 days

What are Michael McDonald's films like?

Across their 25 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 22nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
31%
Bonds
23%
Morality
22%
Society
10%
Survival
8%
Power
4%
Ideas
2%
Identity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 4 · Wry 4 · Earnest 7

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 12 · Serious 3 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 11 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 3

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 11

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Trickster
1 of 3
Shadow
1 of 3
Mentor
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
16
Tense
9
Joyful
7
Warm
6
Hopeful
5
Other
18

How their films linger

Fun15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous4
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Michael McDonald's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 58 of their 85 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael McDonald's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

105 credits, 85 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Portal to Hell(2025)

    as David Pepperdine

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • It's Florida, Man(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as John Walsh

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • English Teacher(2024)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Mother of the Bride(2024)

    as Clay

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Good Times(2024)

    Show 2 episodes · as Elon Musk (voice) · as Manfred / Flying Patriarchy / Guests (voice) · as Officer Pappardelle (voice)

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • Not Dead Yet(2023)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie(2023)

    as Michael's Bodyguard

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • God's Favorite Idiot(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Executive Producer · as Leviathan

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • How I Met Your Father(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Warren

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • The Sex Lives of College Girls(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as George

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Halloween Kills(2021)

    as Little John

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Home Economics(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Outmatched(2020)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus(2019)

    as Robo-Dad (voice)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • What We Do in the Shadows(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Gustave Leroy

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Happytime Murders(2018)

    as Ronovan Scargle

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Powerless(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Man with a Plan(2016)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Rhett & Link's Buddy System (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Enrique

  • American Housewife(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Good Place(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Ghostbusters(2016)

    as Jonathan the Theater Manager

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Loud House(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Howard McBride / Antonio (voice)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • The Boss(2016)

    as Bryce Crean

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Spy(2015)

    as Patrick

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Benched(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Michael J. Fox Show(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · Director · as Adam Jarver

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Heat(2013)

    as Julian

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Save Me(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)(2013)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Men at Work(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • House of Lies(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Carl Criswell

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • 2 Broke Girls(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Web Therapy(2011)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ben Tomlund

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Mike & Molly(2010)

    Show 21 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Michael McDonald: Model Citizen(2010)

    Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Cougar Town(2009)

    Show 27 episodes · Director · Writer · as Wayne Gibbons

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Community(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Insurance Man

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Kath & Kim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Neil

  • Web Therapy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ben Tomlund

  • Pushing Daisies(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Galveston Gus

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Reaper(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Elliott Sprong

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Head Case(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Stanley

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Talkshow with Spike Feresten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hannah Montana(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Chef Duncan Keats

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Moonpie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Mitch Henderson

  • Fat Actress(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sam Rascal

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Sledge: The Untold Story(2005)

    as Raymond Fischer

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Outing Riley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Andy

  • Desperate Housewives(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Steven

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star(2003)

    as Maitre' D

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Clone High(2002)

    Show 13 episodes · as Gandhi (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Austin Powers in Goldmember(2002)

    as Royal Guard

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Greg the Bunny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Slackers(2002)

    as Economics Professor

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Scrubs(2001)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · as Dr. Toilet (voice) · as Mike Davis · as Mr. Cropper

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Invader ZIM(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as RoboDad / Crewman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me(1999)

    as NATO Soldier

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Richie Rich's Christmas Wish(1998)

    as Montgomery

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Casper Meets Wendy(1998)

    as Spike-Stretch

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Men in White(1998)

    as Secret Service Agent

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Alien Avengers II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Writer

  • Casper: A Spirited Beginning(1997)

    as Sarcastic Protester

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery(1997)

    as Henchman Flattened by Steamroller (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Just Shoot Me!(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Reg

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Carnosaur 3: Primal Species(1996)

    as Police Officer Wilson

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • 7th Heaven(1996)

    Show 4 episodes · Director · as Edward Jameson

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • Alien Avengers(1996)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Criminal Hearts(1996)

    as Tierney

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Mad TV(1995)

    Show 238 episodes · Director · as Various

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Bloodfist VII: Manhunt(1995)

    as Running Officer

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Drew Carey Show(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as The Parking Attendant

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • A Bucket of Blood(1995)

    Director · Writer · as Dancer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Twisted Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Stoned Kid

  • Virtual Seduction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Disoriented Man

  • Sherman Oaks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Jules

  • NewsRadio(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Lee

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Hideaway(1995)

    as Young Cop

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Carnosaur 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Evac. Team Pilot

  • Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero(1994)

    as Corey

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Crazysitter(1994)

    Director · Writer · as Mr. Smith

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Revenge of the Red Baron(1994)

    Writer · as Psychiatrist

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • No Dessert, Dad, Till You Mow the Lawn(1994)

    as Evil Hypnotist

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love(1994)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Unborn II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Welfare Worker #1

  • Leprechaun 2(1994)

    as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Ellen(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as The Guy

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Bloodfist V: Human Target(1994)

    as Jewelry Store Manager

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The John Larroquette Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Phil

  • Bloodfist IV: Die Trying(1992)

    as Newscaster

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation(1992)

    as Disc Jockey

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Final Judgement(1992)

    as Rainy

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Body Waves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Squirrely

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dance with Death(1992)

    as Henry

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • In the Heat of Passion(1992)

    as Nick

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Uncaged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Clean Cut John

  • Watchers II(1990)

    as Animal Rights Activist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Family Matters(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Manager

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Jesse · as Player #2

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Live with Kelly and Mark(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • Beautiful People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • The Pursuit Of Victory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Frank

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 104 titles, 102 of them dated from 1988 to 2025; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

The Heat (2013)

$230M worldwide

Highest rated

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Portal to Hell (2025)

Film career

19882025

Peak 2015 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting85 of 104: 76 only acting, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score24thDirecting22 of 104: 15 only directing, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score50thWriting8 of 104: 4 only writing, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score25thProducing1 of 104: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

104 titles, 9 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 7 of them.

By decade

1980s3 · acting1990s41 · 39 acting · 7 crew2000s21 · 21 acting · 2 crew2010s23 · 12 acting · 12 crew2020s14 · 9 acting · 6 crew

Billing

usually 15th · top billed in 0% of 21 roles
9000

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

2 major nominations and no wins, 2004–2005.

  1. 2005
    • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series
  2. 2004
    • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Michael McDonald's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 19th percentile, the median of all 40; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 22nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

22ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

21stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 85 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th16
  • Below 25th38

Shape of the crowd

42 of their 85 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic7
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed42

Most divisive · actor

Sledge: The Untold Story (2005)

94th percentile spread · 67% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 57/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Michael McDonald's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and alcohol & drugs run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles19–65 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles29–68 · median 46 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles42–90 · median 66 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles35–65 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles7–50 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Michael McDonald work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael McDonald's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mike Elliott shares the most, 8.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles