X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

William H. Macy Biography

Birth Name:
William Hall Macy Jr.
Birth Place:
Miami, Florida, United States
Profession
Actor, writer, producer

Fast Facts

  • Studied veterinary medicine before turning to acting
  • Co-founded the St
  • Nicholas Theater Company in Chicago in 1974 and the Atlantic Theater Company in New York in 1983
  • Voiced the tag line, "Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman" in the Secret deodorant commercial
  • Named best actor at the 1997 Independent Spirit Awards for his performance in Fargo
  • Became a United Cerebral Palsy ambassador in 2003 after playing a salesman with the condition in the TV movie Door to Door, and was elected to the UCP Board of Trustees in 2004
  • Has lent his voice to a number of animated projects, including the CGI features Doogal (2006) and The Tale of Despereaux (2008), as well as the PBS Curious George series

Awards

  • 2021Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2018Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2016Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2016Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2015Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2015Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2007Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2006Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2006Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2005Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2005Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: nominated
  • 2004Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2004Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2003Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2003Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2003Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: winner
  • 2003Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
  • 2002Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 2000Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2000Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 1999Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1997Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1997Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1997Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: winner
  • 1996Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1996Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1995Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 1992Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Male: nominated

Relationships

  • Georgia Grace Macy -- Daughter
  • Sophia Grace Macy -- Daughter
  • William Hall Macy Sr. -- Father
  • Fred Merrill Jr. -- Half Brother
  • Lois Macy -- Mother