Bio
William H. Macy is an American actor best known for his role as Jerry Lundegaard in the 1996 film Fargo, as well as for his role as Dr. David Morgenstern on the television medical drama ER, credited in 30 episodes from 1994-1998.
He currently stars as degenerate drunk and father to six children Frank Gallagher in the comedy-drama television series Shameless, since 2011.
His film work also includes Benny & Joon, Above Suspicion, Mr. Holland's Opus, Ghosts of Mississippi, Air Force One, Boogie Nights, Pleasantville, Psycho, Happy, Texas, Mystery Men, Magnolia, Jurassic Park III, Focus, Panic, Welcome to Collingwood, Seabiscuit, The Cooler, Sahara, Thank You For Smoking and Bobby.
Macy has appeared in numerous television series aside from ER, including Kate & Allie; Spenser: For Hire; Law & Order; L.A. Law; and Curious George, which he narrated.
He also appeared in the 2004 made-for-TV movie Reversible Errors, which was aired in South Africa as a four-part mini-series on e.tv.
Macy has been married to actress Felicity Huffman since 6 September 1997, although they lived together for 15 years before they got married.
The pop rock band Head Automatica has a song named after him called "I Shot William H. Macy".
Macy has admitted to experimenting with LSD in college. His friends referred to him as "acid head".
Along with David Mamet, he is the founding member of The Atlantic Theatre Company, in New York City.
Quotes
"Nobody became an actor because he had a good childhood."
"When you do something well, they'll ask you to do it again. Early on, I must have done this (playing losers) well and the reputation was out there. It's strange because in my life, I don't feel like a loser. Far from it. I feel lucky."
"For a performer to get rage, or to get hostility or shock or any kind of emotions from the audience is a joy. The thing I think actors fear the most is boredom or inattention. That's what kills me."
"I've always felt everything you need is on the page. I used to load my wallet with fake IDs and know what was outside the door down the imaginary hallway. I would do a history for the character, but that's a whole lot of work, and one day I thought, 'I wonder what would happen if I didn't do that,' and the answer was, 'Nothing.' Nothing. It doesn't help you. For an actor, the real issue is the moment-to-moment."