---
name: "Christopher McDonald"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/christopher-mcdonald"
fi1m_id: "christopher-mcdonald"
imdb_id: "nm0001520"
tmdb_id: 4443
wikidata_id: "Q349857"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "15 February 1955"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-05T01:53:08.308223+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Christopher McDonald

## Identity

Christopher McDonald

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/christopher-mcdonald
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** christopher-mcdonald
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001520
- **TMDB ID:** 4443
- **Wikidata ID:** Q349857
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McDonald, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349857, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001520/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4443

Actor. Born 15 February 1955 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 15 February 1955, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1991–present
- **Also known as:** Chris McDonald, Christopher MacDonald, Chris MacDonald, 크리스토퍼 맥도날드, Кристофер Макдональд
- **Frequently works with:** [Adam Sandler](https://film.one/person/adam-sandler.md), [Julie Bowen](https://film.one/person/julie-bowen.md), [Robert Simonds](https://film.one/person/robert-simonds.md), [Tim Herlihy](https://film.one/person/tim-herlihy.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 77 (4), 2000s 75 (3), 2010s 92 (1), 2020s 68 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 71 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, Comedy 4, Crime 4, Adventure 3, Family 2, Science Fiction 2
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $627m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McDonald, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349857, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001520/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4443

## Coming up

- *Jimmy* (2026-11-06), as Lionel Barrymore

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Iron Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md) (88)
- **Apple TV:** [*Thelma & Louise*](https://film.one/film/thelma-and-louise.md) (85)
- **HBO Max:** [*Hacks*](https://film.one/tv/hacks.md) (83)
- **Peacock:** [*Requiem for a Dream*](https://film.one/film/requiem-for-a-dream.md) (80)
- **Netflix:** [*Happy Gilmore 2*](https://film.one/film/happy-gilmore-2.md) (52)
- **Disney+:** [*Flubber*](https://film.one/film/flubber.md) (50)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Christopher McDonald

> Christopher McDonald makes smug men entertaining without asking us to excuse them. We rate him most when a film or programme gives that arrogance something to do beyond announcing who deserves to be disliked.

McDonald often plays a man who sees no reason to doubt himself. His comic timing makes that certainty funny, while allowing the unpleasantness to remain. We like him for it. Darryl Dickinson, the condescending husband in *Thelma & Louise* (1991), was the breakthrough; Shooter McGavin in *Happy Gilmore* (1996), opposite Adam Sandler, became his most recognised part. Those roles explain the attraction of having him around: an antagonist can be enjoyable company without the film having to pretend he is a decent man.

*Quiz Show* (1994) gives that assured presence a useful setting. As Jack Barry, the game-show host in Robert Redford's drama, McDonald belongs in a story concerned with who gets believed. We were more unsettled by the film than we expected, because its attention to credibility makes the television fraud difficult to dismiss as somebody else's foolishness. The sharp writing and performances complicate easy judgement, and his casting fits that approach. The film runs a little long, but it gives a familiar supporting actor something more interesting to inhabit than a routine obstacle for the lead.

The danger of such recognisable casting is that we can decide what a character is before he has done much. McDonald's succession of smug or sleazy authority figures invites that shortcut, even when his comic timing deserves closer attention. Tappy Tibbons, the sleazy self-help television host in Darren Aronofsky's *Requiem for a Dream* (2000), makes the potential for menace explicit. It is a useful reminder that these parts need more than a reliable supplier of laughs.

His later television work includes *Hacks* (2021), where he plays casino owner Marty Ghilain. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are the chief reason we recommend the programme, and McDonald is well suited to its comedy about people making a difficult job harder. It is funny and sometimes moving, though the writing can press the generational differences too hard. We would not demand a wholesale reinvention from an actor whose timing remains an asset, but we would welcome more parts that complicate our first impression of him. *Quiz Show* is the place to start; try *Hacks* when a single evening of difficult people does not seem quite enough.

## Biography

Christopher McDonald is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Shooter McGavin in the 1996 film *Happy Gilmore*, which he reprised in the 2025 sequel, and for playing Darryl in *Thelma & Louise* (1991). Other film credits include *Grease 2* (1982), *Quiz Show* (1994), *Flubber* (1997), *The Iron Giant* (1999) and *Requiem for a Dream* (2000).

On television, McDonald has played Marty Ghilain on the series *Hacks* (2021–), receiving Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2022 and 2026. Additional credits include a lead role in *Family Law* (1999–2002) and recurring appearances in *Boardwalk Empire* (2010–2012). He was born on 15 February 1955 and graduated from Hobart College.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, televisionacademy.com.*

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Happy Gilmore 2* (2025), Fi1m 52, as Shooter McGavin — [page](https://film.one/film/happy-gilmore-2.md)
- *Hacks* (2021), Fi1m 83, as Marty — [page](https://film.one/tv/hacks.md)
- *Search Party* (2016), Fi1m 92, as Bill — [page](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md)
- *The Man Who Wasn't There* (2001), Fi1m 81, as Macadam Salesman — [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-wasnt-there.md)
- *Requiem for a Dream* (2000), Fi1m 80, as Tappy Tibbons — [page](https://film.one/film/requiem-for-a-dream.md)
- *The Perfect Storm* (2000), Fi1m 63, as Todd Gross — [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md)
- *The Iron Giant* (1999), Fi1m 88, as Kent Mansley (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md)
- *Flubber* (1997), Fi1m 50, as Wilson Croft — [page](https://film.one/film/flubber.md)
- *Quiz Show* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Jack Barry — [page](https://film.one/film/quiz-show.md)
- *Thelma & Louise* (1991), Fi1m 85, as Darryl — [page](https://film.one/film/thelma-and-louise.md)

## Complete filmography (191)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Jimmy* (2026), as Lionel Barrymore
- *The Gray House* (2026), series, as Thomas McNiven
- *Swiped* (2025), as Robert
- *Happy Gilmore 2* (2025), as Shooter McGavin — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/happy-gilmore-2.md)
- *The Last Rodeo* (2025), as Jimmy Mack
- *Abruptio* (2024), as Police Chief Richter
- *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* (2024), as Golfer
- *Captain Fall* (2023), series, Actor
- *Secret Invasion* (2023), series, as Chris Stearns
- *Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures* (2023), series, as Grandpa Roog (voice)
- *The Watcher* (2022), series, as Rourke Chamberland
- *Rosaline* (2022), as Lord Capulet
- *Land of Dreams* (2022), as Blair / Bob
- *Hacks* (2021), series, as Marty — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/hacks.md)
- *Walking with Herb* (2021), as Wiley
- *We Can Be Heroes* (2020), as President Neil Anami
- *The Stand at Paxton County* (2020), as Sheriff Roger Bostwick
- *Mr. Iglesias* (2019), series, as Coach Dixon
- *Deep Murder* (2019), as Richard
- *Costume Quest* (2019), series, as Bob Dickerson, Grubbin Bob
- *Wildchat* (2019), Actor
- *Backtrace* (2018), as Franks
- *Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy* (2018), series, as Jim Bassman
- *Gone* (2018), series, Actor
- *Wetlands* (2017), as Det. Paddy Sheehan
- *The Tank* (2017), as Lawson
- *Once Upon a Time in Venice* (2017), as Mr. Carter
- *Great News* (2017), series, as Len
- *The Real Bros of Simi Valley* (2017), series, as Cal
- *The Crash* (2017), as Del Banco
- *Search Party* (2016), series, as Bill — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md)
- *Don't Worry Baby* (2016), as Harry Lang
- *American Crime Story* (2016), series, as Robert S. 'Bob' Bennett — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md)
- *Exposed* (2016), as Lt. Galban
- *Soul Ties* (2015), as Sydney
- *Zipper* (2015), as Peter Kirkland
- *Ballers* (2015), series, as Dallas Cowboys Owner
- *Texas Rising* (2015), series, as Henry Karnes
- *The Squeeze* (2015), as Riverboat
- *Believe Me* (2014), as Ken
- *Being American* (2014), as Mark
- *About Last Night* (2014), as Casey McNeil
- *Kirstie* (2013), series, as Jeffrey Sheppard
- *Beware the Batman* (2013), series, as Harvey Dent (voice), Harvey Dent / Weapons Seller (voice)
- *Not Fade Away* (2012), as Jack Dietz
- *The Collection* (2012), as Mr. Peters
- *Grassroots* (2012), as Jim Tripp
- *Balls to the Wall* (2011), as Mr. Matthews
- *Lemonade Mouth* (2011), as Principal Stanley Brenigan
- *Happy Endings* (2011), series, as Mr. Kerkovich
- *Cat Run* (2011), as Bill Krebb
- *Harry's Law* (2011), series, as Tommy Jefferson
- *The Best and the Brightest* (2010), as The Player
- *Boardwalk Empire* (2010), series, as Harry Daugherty — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/boardwalk-empire.md)
- *Regular Show* (2010), series, as Carl Putter (voice)
- *Ben 10: Ultimate Alien* (2010), series, as Captain Nemesis (voice)
- *Barry Munday* (2010), as Dr. Preston Edwards
- *Refuge* (2010), as Jack Phillips
- *Black Widow* (2010), as Steve
- *Splinterheads* (2009), as Sargeant Bruce Mancuso
- *The League* (2009), series, as Judge Hardy
- *Stargate Universe* (2009), series, as Alan Armstrong
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Judge Don Schakowsky — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Deep in the Valley* (2009), as Diamond Jim
- *Reunion* (2009), as Eamon
- *Fanboys* (2009), as Big Chuck
- *Spooner* (2009), as Dennis Spooner
- *An American Carol* (2008), as Lab Technician
- *The House Bunny* (2008), as Dean Simmons
- *Superhero Movie* (2008), as Lou Landers
- *Summerhood* (2008), as Assistant Director
- *Mad Money* (2008), as Bryce Arbogast
- *Player 5150* (2008), as Tony
- *American Pie Presents: Beta House* (2007), as Mr. Stifler
- *Awake* (2007), as Dr. Larry Lupin
- *My Sexiest Year* (2007), as Adult Jake
- *American Family* (2007), as Mr. Pratt
- *The Bronx Is Burning* (2007), series, as Joe DiMaggio
- *Kickin' It Old Skool* (2007), as Marty Schumacher
- *The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning* (2007), as Boss Hogg
- *American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile* (2006), as Mr. Stifler
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Paul Haversham
- *Funny Money* (2006), as Vic
- *Rumor Has It...* (2005), as Roger McManus
- *Twins* (2005), series, as Terry
- *Broken Flowers* (2005), as Ron
- *The L.A. Riot Spectacular* (2005), as Officer Koon
- *Fat Actress* (2005), series, as Jimmy
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Frank Thompson
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Gregory King
- *New Car Smell* (2005), as Mac
- *Justice League Unlimited* (2004), series, as Jor-El (voice)
- *North Shore* (2004), series, Actor
- *Cracking Up* (2004), series, as Ted Shackleton
- *Las Vegas* (2003), series, as Kidnapper Chips
- *Grind* (2003), as Mr. Rivers
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Bob Carroll
- *The Twilight Zone* (2002), series, as Rick
- *Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams* (2002), as President of the USA
- *Kim Possible* (2002), series, as Hego (voice)
- *Children on Their Birthdays* (2002), as Speedy Thorne
- *Speakeasy* (2002), as Dr. Addams
- *The Man Who Wasn't There* (2001), as Macadam Salesman — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-wasnt-there.md)
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Evan Korman, Declan Pace
- *The Theory of the Leisure Class* (2001), as Buddy Barnett
- *61** (2001), as Mel Allen
- *Requiem for a Dream* (2000), as Tappy Tibbons — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/requiem-for-a-dream.md)
- *The Perfect Storm* (2000), as Todd Gross — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md)
- *The Skulls* (2000), as Martin Lombard
- *Takedown* (2000), as Mitch Gibson
- *Isn't She Great* (2000), as Brad Bradburn
- *Magicians* (2000), as Jake
- *My Teacher's Wife* (1999), as Roy Mueller
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Harold Coyle
- *Family Law* (1999), series, as Rex Weller
- *The Iron Giant* (1999), as Kent Mansley (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md)
- *Five Aces* (1999), as Ash Gray
- *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Eddie Dunne — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *Batman Beyond* (1999), series, as Superman (voice)
- *The Faculty* (1998), as Casey's Dad
- *Gideon* (1998), as Alan Longhurst
- *Divorce: A Contemporary Western* (1998), Actor
- *SLC Punk* (1998), as Dad
- *Jaded* (1998), as Jack Carlson
- *Dirty Work* (1998), as Travis Cole
- *Flubber* (1997), as Wilson Croft — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/flubber.md)
- *Lawn Dogs* (1997), as Morton Stockard
- *Into Thin Air: Death on Everest* (1997), as Jon Krakauer
- *Veronica's Closet* (1997), series, as Bryce Anderson
- *A Smile Like Yours* (1997), as Richard Halstrom
- *Leave It to Beaver* (1997), as Ward Cleaver
- *Gun* (1997), series, as Lutz
- *The Eighteenth Angel* (1997), as Hugh Stanton
- *The Rich Man's Wife* (1996), as Tony Potenza
- *Superman: The Last Son of Krypton* (1996), as Jor-El (voice)
- *Superman: The Animated Series* (1996), series, as Jor-El (voice)
- *House Arrest* (1996), as Donald Krupp
- *Celtic Pride* (1996), as Coach Kimball
- *Unforgettable* (1996), as Stewart Gleick
- *Happy Gilmore* (1996), as Shooter
- *Fair Game* (1995), as Lieutenant Meyerson
- *The Tuskegee Airmen* (1995), as Major Joy
- *Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back* (1995), as Sheriff Jack Banning
- *Terminal Velocity* (1994), as Kerr
- *Quiz Show* (1994), as Jack Barry — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/quiz-show.md)
- *Midnight Run for Your Life* (1994), as Jack Walsh
- *The Road Killers* (1994), as Glen
- *Midnight Run Around* (1994), as Jack Walsh
- *Monkey Trouble* (1994), as Tom
- *Another Midnight Run* (1994), as Jack Walsh
- *Grumpy Old Men* (1993), as Mike
- *Fatal Instinct* (1993), as Frank Kelbo
- *Bums* (1993), as Sgt. Andrew Holloman
- *Benefit of the Doubt* (1993), as Dan
- *Conflict of Interest* (1993), as Mickey Flannery
- *Good Advice* (1993), series, as Joey DeRuzza
- *Telling Secrets* (1993), as Terry Kelsey
- *Walter & Emily* (1991), series, as Matt Collins
- *Wild Orchid II: Two Shades of Blue* (1991), as Senator Dixon
- *Home Improvement* (1991), series, as Stu Cutler
- *Dutch* (1991), as Reed Standish
- *Thelma & Louise* (1991), as Darryl — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/thelma-and-louise.md)
- *Red Wind* (1991), as Victor Lange
- *Fatal Exposure* (1991), as Robert Parker
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as John Jay McIntyre — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Playroom* (1990), as Chris
- *Cool Blue* (1990), as Peter Sin
- *An Eight Is Enough Wedding* (1989), as Jeb
- *Chances Are* (1989), as Louie Jeffries
- *Paradise* (1988), series, as Dexter
- *Paramedics* (1988), as Mad Mike
- *Little Girl Lost* (1988), as Wolff
- *Aaron's Way* (1988), series, Actor
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Lt. Richard Castillo — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *Outrageous Fortune* (1987), as George
- *Triplecross* (1986), as Steve Tyler
- *The Boys Next Door* (1986), as Detective Mark Woods
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Eric Lane, David Channing
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as (segment "Aqua Vita")
- *Hunter* (1984), series, as Sonny Dupree
- *Call to Glory* (1984), series, as Major Tim O'Reilly
- *Chattanooga Choo Choo* (1984), as Paul
- *Breakin'* (1984), as James
- *Where the Boys Are* (1984), as Tony
- *The Black Room* (1982), as Terry
- *Cheers* (1982), series, as Rick Walker — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)
- *Knight Rider* (1982), series, as Joe Flynn
- *Grease 2* (1982), as Goose McKenzie
- *Twirl* (1981), as Buddy Butler
- *The Hearse* (1980), as Pete
- *Getting Married* (1978), as Usher

## Gallery

- ![Christopher McDonald](https://film.one/media/person/22412/gallery-ee2df8c41c85.jpg) Christopher McDonald — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Christopher_McDonald_2011_Shankbone.JPG/1280px-Christopher_McDonald_2011_Shankbone.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher McDonald at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival opening of The Bang Bang Club.](https://film.one/media/person/22412/gallery-07b271a0d227.jpg) Christopher McDonald at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival opening of The Bang Bang Club. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Christopher_McDonald_2011_Shankbone_%28cropped%29.JPG/1280px-Christopher_McDonald_2011_Shankbone_%28cropped%29.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![March 10, 2008: Cinema City Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/22412/gallery-c3d4843c99ff.jpg) March 10, 2008: Cinema City Film Festival — Photo from www.lukeford.net, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Christopher_McDonald_at_Cinema_City_Film_Festival_day_2_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![NYC (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/22412/gallery-cd58669e67a1.jpg) NYC (2018) — Traci Augustine, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Traci_Augustine_and_Chris_McDonald_in_New_York_City..jpg/1280px-Traci_Augustine_and_Chris_McDonald_in_New_York_City..jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher McDonald](https://film.one/media/person/22412/gallery-ec2957f55c8c.jpg) Christopher McDonald — Image via TMDB
- ![Christopher McDonald](https://film.one/media/person/22412/gallery-47da4cdd9112.jpg) Christopher McDonald — Image via TMDB
- ![Christopher McDonald](https://film.one/media/person/22412/gallery-f8b3f6eb3749.jpg) Christopher McDonald — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/christopher-mcdonald