--- name: "Michael McKean" canonical: "https://film.one/person/michael-mckean" fi1m_id: "michael-mckean" imdb_id: "nm0571106" tmdb_id: 21731 wikidata_id: "Q1384181" roles: ["Actor"] born: "17 October 1947" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 76 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-04T20:46:08.616004+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 McKean ## Identity Michael McKean - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/michael-mckean - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** michael-mckean - **IMDb ID:** nm0571106 - **TMDB ID:** 21731 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1384181 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McKean, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1384181, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0571106/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/21731 Actor. Born 17 October 1947 in New York City, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 17 October 1947, New York City, New York, USA - **Active:** 1984–present - **Also known as:** Michael John McKean, Michael McKeen, David St. Hubbins, 마이클 맥킨 - **Frequently works with:** [Christopher Guest](https://film.one/person/christopher-guest.md), [John Michael Higgins](https://film.one/person/john-michael-higgins.md), [Karen Murphy](https://film.one/person/karen-murphy-6467.md), [Rhea Seehorn](https://film.one/person/rhea-seehorn.md) - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 82 (2), 1990s 78 (1), 2000s 74 (3), 2010s 84 (1), 2020s 66 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 73 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 6, Drama 3, Crime 2, Music 2, Action & Adventure 1, Romance 1 - **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $10m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McKean, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1384181, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0571106/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/21731 ## Streaming the US now - **Netflix:** [*Better Call Saul*](https://film.one/tv/better-call-saul.md) (84) - **Apple TV:** [*Best in Show*](https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md) (84) - **HBO Max:** [*Friends*](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) (78) - **The Roku Channel:** [*Earth Girls Are Easy*](https://film.one/film/earth-girls-are-easy.md) (74) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Michael McKean > Michael McKean makes a foolish man sound as though he has considered the matter carefully. We rate him most highly when that patient reasonableness has other actors to contend with, particularly in *This Is Spinal Tap*. In *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984), Michael McKean's David St. Hubbins speaks as though a reasonable explanation should sort everything out. The other members of the band have explanations too, and nobody seems improved by hearing them. McKean is particularly good at keeping that air of patience through a conversation that has ceased to deserve it. We rate him highly here because he gives David enough self-respect to make the foolishness worth watching. His breakthrough was the broader sitcom comedy of Lenny Kosnowski in *Laverne & Shirley* (1976–1983). *This Is Spinal Tap* puts him among collaborators who allow smaller habits to carry a scene: Christopher Guest's Nigel Tufnel, Harry Shearer's Derek Smalls and Rob Reiner's attentive interviewer, Marty DiBergi. All four share the writing credit. The interruptions and repeated explanations sound like conversations these men have been having for years, with McKean's practised reasonableness giving the others something to resist. The music matters just as much to the performance. McKean shares its credit with Guest, Shearer and Reiner, and the force of the riffs makes the band's pride credible before the lyrics expose their judgement. We felt more affection for these musicians than we expected, because the care in the playing kept them from becoming merely targets. He continued working with Guest in *A Mighty Wind* (2003), playing Jerry Palter and co-writing the title song. In Guest's *Best in Show* (2000), McKean plays Stefan Vanderhoof as part of another ensemble worth an evening. Its dog-show comedy is generous towards people who are not always easy to like, and Fred Willard supplies the biggest laughs. Some routines settle into repetition; the film is worth seeing, with that modest caveat. His dramatic work as Chuck McGill in *Better Call Saul* (2015–2022) makes it harder to file him away as a specialist in foolish musicians. We value the broader career, but *This Is Spinal Tap* remains the clearest reason for our enthusiasm: acting, writing and music all contribute to characters who seem to have known one another too long. Start there, and give the songs as much attention as the arguments. ## Biography Michael McKean is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, composer and musician. Born in New York City on 17 October 1947, he trained at Carnegie Mellon University and New York University. He began his career in the comedy troupe The Credibility Gap and gained prominence as Lenny Kosnowski in the sitcom *Laverne & Shirley* (1976–1983). McKean is known for his collaborations with Christopher Guest, appearing in *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984) as David St. Hubbins, *Best in Show* (2000) as Stefan Vanderhoof, *A Mighty Wind* (2003) and *For Your Consideration* (2006). He co-wrote songs for *A Mighty Wind*, winning a Grammy Award, and received an Academy Award nomination for another. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Chuck McGill in *Better Call Saul* (2015–2022). He has also voiced characters in animated series including *The Simpsons* and *SpongeBob SquarePants*, and appeared in films such as *Clue* (1985). McKean has been married to actress Annette O'Toole since 1999. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (9) - *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), Fi1m 55, as Michael Finney — [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md) - *Weird: The Al Yankovic Story* (2022), Fi1m 77, as Sleazy MC — [page](https://film.one/film/weird-the-al-yankovic-story.md) - *Better Call Saul* (2015), Fi1m 84, as Chuck McGill — [page](https://film.one/tv/better-call-saul.md) - *Castle* (2009), Fi1m 73, as Victor Baron — [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *Smallville* (2001), Fi1m 66, as Perry White — [page](https://film.one/tv/smallville.md) - *Best in Show* (2000), Fi1m 84, as Stefan Vanderhoof — [page](https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md) - *Friends* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Mr. Rastatter — [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) - *Earth Girls Are Easy* (1988), Fi1m 74, as Woody — [page](https://film.one/film/earth-girls-are-easy.md) - *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984), Fi1m 91, as David St. Hubbins — [page](https://film.one/film/this-is-spinal-tap.md) ## Complete filmography (192) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), series, as Michael Finney — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md) - *In Memoriam* (2026), Actor - *Spinal Tap II: The End Continues* (2025), as David St. Hubbins · Writer, Characters, Producer - *The Diplomat* (2023), series, as President William Rayburn, President William Rayburn (archive footage) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-diplomat.md) - *Jerry & Marge Go Large* (2022), as Howard - *Weird: The Al Yankovic Story* (2022), as Sleazy MC — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/weird-the-al-yankovic-story.md) - *My Little Pony: A New Generation* (2021), as Argyle (voice) - *Playing God* (2021), as Frank - *Rugrats* (2021), series, as Grandpa Lou Pickles (voice) - *Pink Skies Ahead* (2020), as Richard - *Breeders* (2020), series, as Michael - *Image Makers: The Adventures of America's Pioneer Cinematographers* (2019), as Narrator (voice) - *Daddio* (2019), as Paul - *Good Omens* (2019), series, as Sergeant Shadwell - *The Good Place* (2016), series, as Doug Forcett — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md) - *The Meddler* (2016), as Mark - *Billions* (2016), series, as Melville Revere - *Grace and Frankie* (2015), series, as Jack - *Better Call Saul* (2015), series, as Chuck McGill — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/better-call-saul.md) - *The 7D* (2014), series, as Uncle Humidor (voice) - *Batman: The Dark Knight Returns* (2013), as Dr. Bartholomew Wolper (voice) - *10 Rules for Sleeping Around* (2013), as Jeffrey Fields - *Family Tree* (2013), series, as Keith Chadwick - *Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2* (2013), as Bartholomew Wolper (voice) - *Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1* (2012), as Dr. Bartholomew Wolper (voice) - *The Words* (2012), as Nelson Wylie - *Veep* (2012), series, as Governor Ballentine — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md) - *Homeland* (2011), series, as Jeffrey Turner — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md) - *ThunderCats* (2011), series, as Vultaire (voice) - *Happy Endings* (2011), series, as Big Dave - *Off the Map* (2011), series, as Ed Greenman - *Glory Daze* (2010), series, as Stu - *Pure Country 2: The Gift* (2010), as Angel Joseph - *Stonehenge: 'Tis a Magic Place* (2009), as David St. Hubbins - *Whatever Works* (2009), as Joe - Boris' Friend #3 - *Spinal Tap: Back from the Dead* (2009), as David St. Hubbins - *Castle* (2009), series, as Victor Baron — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Death - *Adventures of Power* (2008), as Harlan - *The Thick of It* (2007), as Glen Glahm - *Billy & Mandy: Wrath of the Spider Queen* (2007), as Kalgoron (voice) - *The Grand* (2007), as Steve Lavisch - *Joshua* (2007), as Chester - *The Year Without a Santa Claus* (2006), as Snow Miser - *For Your Consideration* (2006), as Lane Iverson - *Help Me Help You* (2006), series, Actor - *Relative Strangers* (2006), as Ken Hyman - *The Unit* (2006), series, as Dr. Donald Metz - *Open Wide: Tooth School Inside* (2006), as Dr. Flossman (voice) - *The Producers* (2005), as Prison Trustee - *Arnie the Doughnut* (2005), as Narrator / Arnie the Doughnut (voice) - *Hopeless Pictures* (2005), series, Actor - *Catscratch* (2005), series, as Groink (voice) - *Candor City Hospital* (2005), as Patient - *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Emperor Zing (voice) - *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Dwight Biddle — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md) - *The Secret Policeman's Ball: The Music Edition* (2004), as David St. Hubbins - *And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself* (2003), as William Christy Cabanne - *A Mighty Wind* (2003), as Jerry Palter, Songs - *Haunted Lighthouse 4-D* (2003), as Captain Van Legge - *100 Mile Rule* (2002), as Howard - *Auto Focus* (2002), as Video Executive - *The Guru* (2002), as Dwain - *Slap Her... She's French* (2002), as Monsieur Duke - *The Hunchback of Notre Dame II* (2002), as Sarousch (voice) - *Justice League* (2001), series, as The Sportsman / Sgt. O'Shaughnessey (voice) - *Recess Christmas: Miracle On Third Street* (2001), as Mr. Bream (voice) - *Smallville* (2001), series, as Perry White — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/smallville.md) - *My First Mister* (2001), as Bob - *Alias* (2001), series, as Atticus Liddell — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/alias.md) - *Oswald* (2001), series, as Louie (voice) - *Dr. Dolittle 2* (2001), as Bird (voice) - *Teddy Bears' Picnic* (2001), as Porterfield 'Porty' Pendleton - *Never Again* (2001), as Alex The Transvestite - *The Lone Gunmen* (2001), series, Actor - *The Zeta Project* (2001), series, Actor - *Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law* (2000), series, as Evelyn Spyro Throckmorton (voice) - *Little Nicky* (2000), as Chief of Police - *As Told by Ginger* (2000), series, as Bobby Lightfoot (voice) - *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Matt Tessler — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md) - *Best in Show* (2000), as Stefan Vanderhoof — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md) - *Beautiful* (2000), as Lance DeSalvo - *Catching Up with Marty DiBergi* (2000), as David St. Hubbins - *The Huntress* (2000), series, Actor - *Strip Mall* (2000), series, Actor - *Clerks* (2000), series, as Professor Ram / Creepy Old Guy (voice) - *Snowden's Christmas* (1999), as Drummer (voice) - *Mystery, Alaska* (1999), as Mr. Walsh - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Kurt Sandow - *Teaching Mrs. Tingle* (1999), as Principal Potter - *SpongeBob SquarePants* (1999), series, as Captain Frostymug (voice), Lonnie (voice) - *Uncomfortably Close with Michael McKean* (1999), series, Actor - *True Crime* (1999), as Réverend Shillerman - *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Pengrove Pig / Andy Rooney / Camel Salesman (voice), Pawtucket Pat (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md) - *Kill the Man* (1999), as Mr. Livingston - *Batman Beyond* (1999), series, as Ian Peek (voice) - *Providence* (1999), series, as Sherman Smith - *101 Dalmatians Christmas* (1998), as Jasper Badun - *With Friends Like These* (1998), as Maxwell Hersh - *Archibald the Rainbow Painter* (1998), as J.P. Bigelow - *Small Soldiers* (1998), as Insaniac / Freakenstein (voice) - *Final Justice* (1998), as Merle Hammond - *The Pass* (1998), as Willie L. - *LateLine* (1998), series, Actor - *Veronica's Closet* (1997), series, as Dave Whitby - *The New Batman Adventures* (1997), series, as 50's Joker (voice) - *101 Dalmatians Series* (1997), series, as Jasper Badun (voice) - *The Weird Al Show* (1997), series, as Miner - *Casper: A Spirited Beginning* (1997), as Bill Case - *Still Breathing* (1997), as New Mark - *No Strings Attached* (1997), as Elliot Lewis - *Nothing to Lose* (1997), as Phillip "P.B." Barrow - *That Darn Cat* (1997), as Peter Randall - *Waiting for Guffman* (1997), Lyricist, Original Music Composer - *Jungle Cubs (Volume 1): Born to be Wild* (1996), as (Voice) - *Hey Arnold!* (1996), series, Actor - *Jungle Cubs* (1996), series, Actor - *Road Rovers* (1996), series, as Dr. Jeffrey Otitus (voice) - *Jack* (1996), as Paulie - *The Sunshine Boys* (1996), as Scott Grogan - *Edie & Pen* (1996), as Rick - *Tracey Takes On...* (1996), series, as Barry - *Mr. Show with Bob and David* (1995), series, as Professor Peens - *Caroline in the City* (1995), series, as Father Damian - *Pinky and the Brain* (1995), series, as Toll Collector (voice) - *The Brady Bunch Movie* (1995), as Mr. Larry Dittmeyer - *Star Trek: Voyager* (1995), series, as The Clown - *Radioland Murders* (1994), as Rick Rochester - *Across the Moon* (1994), as Frank - *Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman* (1994), Original Music Composer - *Friends* (1994), series, as Mr. Rastatter — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) - *Airheads* (1994), as Milo Jackson - *MacShayne: Final Roll of the Dice* (1994), as Ozzie Evans - *Duckman* (1994), series, as Bob Hiney (voice) - *The Nanny* (1993), series, as Noel Babcock - *Boy Meets World* (1993), series, as Jedediah Lawrence - *Animaniacs* (1993), series, as Spink (voice), Jake (voice) - *Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman* (1993), series, as Dr. Fabian Leek - *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Morris Fletcher — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md) - *Coneheads* (1993), as Gorman Seedling, INS Deputy Commissioner - *A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out* (1992), as David St. Hubbins / Jerry Palter · Producer, Writer - *Metallica: A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica* (1992), as David St. Hubbins - *Man Trouble* (1992), as Eddy Revere - *Memoirs of an Invisible Man* (1992), as George Talbot - *Amnesty International's Big 30* (1991), as David St. Hubbins - *Sessions* (1991), series, as Dan Carver - *True Identity* (1991), as Harvey Cooper - *Morton & Hayes* (1991), series, Director - *Murder in High Places* (1991), as Pettibone - *Dinosaurs* (1991), series, as Guy in the Lab Coat (voice), Mr. Myman (voice), Officer Bettleheim (voice), Kyle (voice), Ed (voice), Police Chief Parish (voice), Bryant (voice), Ansel (voice), Dr. Herder (voice), Les (voice), Inspector (voice), Hank (voice) - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Bill Nolan, Elias Grace — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *Book of Love* (1990), as Adult Jack Twiller - *Dream On* (1990), series, as Gibby Fiske · Director - *Flashback* (1990), as Hal Cresciman - *Grand* (1990), series, as Tom Smithson - *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Jerry Rude (voice), David St. Hubbins (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *The Big Picture* (1989), as Emmet Sumner · Screenplay - *Hider in the House* (1989), as Phil Dreyer - *Earth Girls Are Easy* (1988), as Woody — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/earth-girls-are-easy.md) - *Portrait of a White Marriage* (1988), as Reverend Alfred 'Alfie' Prufrock - *Short Circuit 2* (1988), as Fred Ritter - *A Father's Homecoming* (1988), as Michael Fields - *Planes, Trains and Automobiles* (1987), as State Trooper - *Daniel and the Towers* (1987), as Wexler Hatch - *Double Agent* (1987), as Jason Starr / Warren Starbinder - *Light of Day* (1987), as Bu Montgomery - *Davy Crockett* (1986), as Mr. Wallace - *Johnny Appleseed* (1986), as Mac Macintosh - *Jumpin' Jack Flash* (1986), as Leslie (uncredited) - *Classified Love* (1986), as Pete Newly - *The History of White People in America: Volume II* (1986), as Rev. Alfred 'Alfie' Prufrock - *The Hear 'n Aid Sessions* (1986), as David St. Hubbins [Spinal Tap] - *Clue* (1985), as Mr. Green - *Tall Tales & Legends* (1985), series, as Mac Macintosh, Mr. Wallace - *D.A.R.Y.L.* (1985), as Andy Richardson - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Ross McKay - *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984), as David St. Hubbins · Original Music Composer, Writer — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/this-is-spinal-tap.md) - *Imps** (1983), as Fritz #2 - *Young Doctors in Love* (1982), as Dr. Simon August - *Spinal Tap: The Final Tour* (1981), as David St. Hubbins - *Likely Stories Vol. 1* (1981), Actor - *Used Cars* (1980), as Eddie Winslow - *Goodtime Girls* (1980), series, Actor - *1941* (1979), as Willy - *The T.V. Show* (1979), as Musician - *More Than Friends* (1978), as Terry Christopher - *Cracking Up* (1977), Actor - *Laverne & Shirley* (1976), series, as Lenny · Director - *Jaws* (1975), ADR & Dubbing — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/jaws.md) - *Happy Days* (1974), series, Actor - *The Cackling of the Dodos*, Actor - *Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale*, as David St. Hubbins ## Gallery - ![Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture, "Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" was written by Annette O'Toole and Michael McKean fo (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/97001/gallery-9f4d49a450e5.jpg) Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture, "Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" was written by Annette O'Toole and Michael McKean fo (2016) — Catie Lazarus, the Employee of the Month show, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Annette_O%27Toole_and_Michael_McKean_sing_on_Employee_of_the_Month.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Michael McKean performing in April 2009.](https://film.one/media/person/97001/gallery-0024151156b3.jpg) Michael McKean performing in April 2009. — Erik Schultz at https://www.flickr.com/photos/radphoto, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/MichaelMcKeanApr09.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Michael McKean](https://film.one/media/person/97001/gallery-b08fb9f092ef.jpg) Michael McKean — Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Michael_McKean_1999.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Members of the satirical comedy team, The Credibility Gap, performing in a radio station sound room in Los Angeles. From left: Michael McKean, Richard Beebe, Da (1970)](https://film.one/media/person/97001/gallery-b61cebed3f9e.jpg) Members of the satirical comedy team, The Credibility Gap, performing in a radio station sound room in Los Angeles. From left: Michael McKean, Richard Beebe, Da (1970) — Judd Gunderson, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/The_Credibility_Gap%2C_1970.jpg/1280px-The_Credibility_Gap%2C_1970.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Michael McKean](https://film.one/media/person/97001/gallery-5a2effb5f6c7.jpg) Michael McKean — Image via TMDB - ![Michael McKean](https://film.one/media/person/97001/gallery-a9bb8f6a0e41.jpg) Michael McKean — Image via TMDB - ![Michael McKean](https://film.one/media/person/97001/gallery-596400c0798b.jpg) Michael McKean — Image via TMDB - ![Michael McKean](https://film.one/media/person/97001/gallery-60a1e8b48f89.jpg) Michael McKean — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 2004: Best Original Song (nominated), for *A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow* ### Other awards — 2 won - Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media 2004: Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media (won) - Theatre World Award 1990: Theatre World Award (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © 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-mckean