Bio
Christopher McDonald is an American actor best known for his roles as Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore, Tappy Tibbons in Requiem for a Dream and Mel Allen in the HBO film 61*.
He also had a starring role as Tommy Jefferson, a flamboyant and cocky attorney, on the legal comedy-drama television series Harry's Law, from 2011-2012.
McDonald is one of Hollywood's most prolific and versatile actors. Beloved for his comic role as Mr. Stifler in American Pie, as well as memorable performances in Thelma and Louise and Happy Gilmore, McDonald is a classically-trained stage actor with a broad fan base.
His notable dramatic television guest-starring roles include work on The Sopranos, The Bronx Is Burning and Martin Scorsese's critically acclaimed HBO series, Boardwalk Empire.
McDonald first caught Hollywood's attention when he played Goose McKenzie in Grease 2, starring Michelle Pfeiffer. Even though more movie offers followed, McDonald opted instead to work on his acting craft, immersing himself in acting studies at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Upon returning to Los Angeles, McDonald began an enviable career that has never slowed down.
Film highlights include The Boys Next Door (1985), Outrageous Fortune (1987), Chances Are (1989), Thelma and Louise (1991), Dutch (1991), Wild Orchid 2, (1992), Grumpy Old Men (1993), Fatal Instinct (1993), Terminal Velocity (1994), Quiz Show (1994), Cover Story (1994), The Rich Man's Wife (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996), Leave It to Beaver (1997), Flubber (1997), The Iron Giant (1999), The Perfect Storm (2000), Spy Kids: 2 (2002), Grind (2003), Takedown (2004), Rumor Has It... (2005), American Pie (2006), Kickin' It Old Skool (2007), My Sexiest Year (2007), Mad Money (2008), Superhero Movie (2008), Fanboys (2008), The House Bunny (2008) and The Best and the Brightest (2010).
McDonald's long-held respect for the stage led him to return to New York to star as Billy Flynn, the nefarious, self-serving lawyer in Kander and Ebb's Chicago. The show toured major markets nationwide with McDonald's leading performance embraced by critics and audiences alike.
Other theatre credits include Nightclub Cantina, Hay Fever, Bounders and The Los Angeles Theatre Center's productions of Hamlet, Othello and The Taming of the Shrew. He is also the recipient of a Drama-Logue Award for Best Actor (Final Touches).
McDonald's TV credits also include regular appearances on the series Cracking Up, Kim Possible, North Shore, Family Law and Veronica's Closet.
Born and raised in New York City, McDonald is one of seven children. Originally, a pre-med major at Hobart College, McDonald decided to pursue an acting career in his senior year. In addition to his theatre studies in London, McDonald also attended the Stella Adler Acting Conservatory in New York.
McDonald and his wife, Lupe, are the proud parents of three daughters and a son and reside in Los Angeles.