---
name: "Michael McDonald"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/michael-mcdonald"
roles: ["Director"]
born: "31 December 1964"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 81
average_as: "director"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-09-17T18:57:15.020599+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."
---

# Michael McDonald

Director. Born 31 December 1964 in Fullerton, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Director
- **Born:** 31 December 1964, Fullerton, California, USA
- **Active:** 2013–2016
- **Also known as:** Michael J. McDonald , Michael James McDonald
- **Frequently works with:** [Beth McCarthy-Miller](https://film.one/person/beth-mccarthy-miller.md), [Claire Scanlon](https://film.one/person/claire-scanlon.md), [Dean Holland](https://film.one/person/dean-holland.md), [Julie Anne Robinson](https://film.one/person/julie-anne-robinson.md), [Ken Whittingham](https://film.one/person/ken-whittingham.md), [Linda Mendoza](https://film.one/person/linda-mendoza.md), [Matt Murray](https://film.one/person/matt-murray.md), [Michael Schur](https://film.one/person/michael-schur.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as director, over 2 titles
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McDonald_(comedian), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4355538, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567912/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/178926

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Good Place*](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md) (84)
- **Netflix:** [*Brooklyn Nine-Nine*](https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine.md) (78)

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

## Biography

Michael McDonald (born 31 December 1964) is an American actor, comedian, writer and director. He was born in Fullerton, California, and graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in business before working as a loan officer. He later trained with the Groundlings improv troupe in Los Angeles from 1992 to 1997.

McDonald is best known for his ten seasons as a cast member on the sketch comedy series MADtv (1998–2008), where he was the longest-tenured performer. He has directed numerous television episodes, including twelve of Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021) and one of The Good Place (2016), as well as multiple episodes of Cougar Town, for which he also wrote and produced. His acting credits include roles in films such as Spy (2015), The Heat (2013) and Ghostbusters (2016), and earlier appearances in the Austin Powers series.

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

## On Fi1m (2)

- *The Good Place* (2016), Fi1m 84, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md)
- *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013), Fi1m 78, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine.md)

## Complete filmography (101)

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

- *Portal to Hell* (2025), as David Pepperdine
- *It's Florida, Man.* (2024), series, as John Walsh
- *English Teacher* (2024), series, Director
- *Mother of the Bride* (2024), as Clay
- *Good Times* (2024), series, as Elon Musk (voice), Manfred / Flying Patriarchy / Guests (voice), Officer Pappardelle (voice)
- *Not Dead Yet* (2023), series, Director
- *STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie* (2023), as Michael's Bodyguard
- *God's Favorite Idiot* (2022), series, as Leviathan, Executive Producer
- *How I Met Your Father* (2022), series, as Warren
- *The Sex Lives of College Girls* (2021), series, as George
- *Halloween Kills* (2021), as Little John
- *Home Economics* (2021), series, Director
- *The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers* (2021), series, Director
- *Outmatched* (2020), series, Director
- *Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus* (2019), as Robo-Dad (voice)
- *What We Do in the Shadows* (2019), series, as Gustave Leroy
- *The Happytime Murders* (2018), as Ronovan Scargle
- *Powerless* (2017), series, Director
- *Man with a Plan* (2016), series, Director
- *Rhett & Link's Buddy System* (2016), series, as Enrique
- *American Housewife* (2016), series, Director
- *The Good Place* (2016), series, Director — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md)
- *Ghostbusters* (2016), as Jonathan the Theater Manager
- *The Loud House* (2016), series, as Howard McBride / Antonio (voice)
- *The Boss* (2016), as Bryce Crean
- *Spy* (2015), as Patrick
- *Benched* (2014), series, Director
- *The Michael J. Fox Show* (2013), series, Director
- *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013), series, Adam Jarver, Director — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine.md)
- *The Heat* (2013), as Julian
- *Save Me* (2013), series, Director
- *Men at Work* (2012), series, Director
- *House of Lies* (2012), series, as Carl Criswell
- *2 Broke Girls* (2011), series, Director
- *Web Therapy* (2011), series, as Ben Tomlund
- *Mike & Molly* (2010), series, Director
- *Michael McDonald: Model. Citizen.* (2010), Writer
- *Cougar Town* (2009), series, Wayne Gibbons, Director, Writer
- *Community* (2009), series, as Insurance Man — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/community.md)
- *Kath & Kim* (2008), series, as Neil
- *Web Therapy* (2008), series, as Ben Tomlund
- *Pushing Daisies* (2007), series, as Galveston Gus — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/pushing-daisies.md)
- *Reaper* (2007), series, as Mr. Elliott Sprong
- *Head Case* (2007), series, as Stanley
- *Hannah Montana* (2006), series, as Chef Duncan Keats
- *Moonpie* (2006), as Mitch Henderson
- *Fat Actress* (2005), series, as Sam Rascal
- *Confessions of an Action Star* (2005), as Raymond Fischer
- *Outing Riley* (2004), as Andy
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Steven
- *Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star* (2003), as Maitre' D
- *Clone High* (2002), series, as Gandhi (voice)
- *Austin Powers in Goldmember* (2002), as Royal Guard
- *Greg the Bunny* (2002), series, Acting
- *Slackers* (2002), as Economics Professor
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, Mike Davis, Dr. Toilet (voice), Mr. Cropper, Director
- *Invader ZIM* (2001), series, as RoboDad / Crewman (voice)
- *Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me* (1999), as NATO Soldier
- *Richie Rich's Christmas Wish* (1998), as Montgomery
- *Casper Meets Wendy* (1998), as Spike-Stretch
- *Men in White* (1998), as Secret Service Agent
- *Alien Avengers II* (1997), Writer
- *Casper: A Spirited Beginning* (1997), as Sarcastic Protester
- *Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery* (1997), as Henchman Flattened by Steamroller (uncredited)
- *Just Shoot Me!* (1997), series, as Reg
- *Carnosaur 3: Primal Species* (1996), as Police Officer Wilson
- *7th Heaven* (1996), series, Edward Jameson, Director
- *Alien Avengers* (1996), Screenplay
- *Criminal Hearts* (1996), as Tierney
- *MADtv* (1995), series, Various, Director
- *Bloodfist 7: Manhunt* (1995), as Running Officer
- *The Drew Carey Show* (1995), series, as The Parking Attendant
- *A Bucket of Blood* (1995), Dancer, Director, Writer
- *Twisted Love* (1995), as Stoned Kid
- *Virtual Seduction* (1995), as Disoriented Man
- *Sherman Oaks* (1995), series, as Jules
- *NewsRadio* (1995), series, as Lee
- *Hideaway* (1995), as Young Cop
- *Carnosaur 2* (1995), as Evac. Team Pilot
- *Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero* (1995), as Corey
- *The Crazysitter* (1994), Mr. Smith, Director, Writer
- *Revenge of the Red Baron* (1994), Psychiatrist, Writer
- *No Dessert, Dad, 'Til You Mow the Lawn* (1994), as Evil Hypnotist
- *Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love* (1994), Acting
- *The Unborn II* (1994), as Welfare Worker #1
- *Leprechaun 2* (1994), as Waiter
- *Ellen* (1994), series, as The Guy
- *Bloodfist V: Human Target* (1994), as Jewelry Store Manager
- *The John Larroquette Show* (1993), series, as Phil
- *Bloodfist IV: Die Trying* (1992), as Newscaster
- *Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation* (1992), as Disc Jockey
- *Final Judgement* (1992), as Rainy
- *Body Waves* (1992), as Squirrely
- *Dance with Death* (1992), as Henry
- *In the Heat of Passion* (1992), as Nick
- *Uncaged* (1991), as Clean Cut John
- *Watchers II* (1990), as Animal Rights Activist (uncredited)
- *Family Matters* (1989), series, as Manager
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Jesse, Player #2 — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *The Pursuit Of Victory*, as Frank
- *Beautiful People*, series, Writer

## Gallery

- ![Michael McDonald](https://film.one/media/person/971495/gallery-b33205fe2c75.jpg) Michael McDonald — Paulyg314, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Michael_mcdonald.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![TIKRIT, Iraq (Mar. 17, 2006) -- Kathy Griffin, Karri Turner and Michael McDonald perform an improv skit for Soldiers and Airmen of Task Force Band of Brothers a](https://film.one/media/person/971495/gallery-7aa3697d1f44.jpg) TIKRIT, Iraq (Mar. 17, 2006) -- Kathy Griffin, Karri Turner and Michael McDonald perform an improv skit for Soldiers and Airmen of Task Force Band of Brothers a — Sgt. Dallas Walker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Griffin_Turner_McDonald.jpg/1280px-Griffin_Turner_McDonald.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Mad TV comedian Michael McDonald performs at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq, for the Soldiers of 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division,  (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/971495/gallery-4deebe429ba6.jpg) Mad TV comedian Michael McDonald performs at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq, for the Soldiers of 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division,  (2007) — Spc. John Crosby, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Michael_McDonald_Iraq.jpg/1280px-Michael_McDonald_Iraq.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael McDonald having lunch in Beverly Hills](https://film.one/media/person/971495/gallery-b6e49ed42291.jpg) Michael McDonald having lunch in Beverly Hills — Chiaoray, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Michael_McDonald_in_Beverly_Hills.jpg/1280px-Michael_McDonald_in_Beverly_Hills.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael McDonald](https://film.one/media/person/971495/gallery-ed1f16a08308.jpg) Michael McDonald — Image via TMDB
- ![Comedian Michael McDonald does pushups during a comic sketch performed by several comedians visiting Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq, Dec. 29. The comedia (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/971495/gallery-64d521d4be15.jpg) Comedian Michael McDonald does pushups during a comic sketch performed by several comedians visiting Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq, Dec. 29. The comedia (2007) — Spc. John Crosby, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Michael_McDonald_pushup.jpg/1280px-Michael_McDonald_pushup.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© 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/michael-mcdonald