William H. Macy

William H. Macy (born March 13, 1950) is an American actor and writer. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo. He is also a teacher and director in theater, film and television. His film career has been built mostly on his appearances in small, independent films, though he has appeared in summer action films as well. Macy has described his screen persona as "sort of a Middle American, WASPy, Lutheran kind of guy... Everyman". He has won two Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award, being nominated for nine Emmy Awards and seven Screen Actors Guild Awards in total. He is also a three-time Golden Globe Award nominee.

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Known For

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009 • as Self - Guest

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

2005 • as Self

Conan

2010 • as Self

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

1992

The Simpsons

1989 • as William H. Macy (voice)

Law & Order

1990 • as Assistant U.S. Attorney John McCormack

Filmography

2025

Soul on Fire

Movie - Released: 10/10/2025

The Running Man

Movie - Released: 11/5/2025

Train Dreams

Movie - Released: 1/26/2025

2024

Ricky Stanicky

as Summerhayes

Movie - Released: 3/7/2024

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

as Trevathan

Movie - Released: 5/8/2024

2023

Maybe I Do

as Sam

Movie - Released: 1/27/2023

Accused

as Raymond

TV - Released: 1/22/2023

2022

The Dropout

as Richard Fuisz

TV - Released: 3/3/2022

2020

Shameless Hall of Shame

as Frank Gallagher

TV - Released: 12/22/2020

2019

Beyond the Headlines: The College Admissions Scandal with Gretchen Carlson

as Self

Movie - Released: 10/12/2019

2018

Krystal

as Wyatt

Movie - Released: 4/13/2018

Movie

Lady Luck: The Making of The Cooler

as Self

Movie - Released: 12/24/2018

2016

Blood Father

as Kirby Curtis

Movie - Released: 8/11/2016

Stealing Cars

as Philip Wyatt

Movie - Released: 4/5/2016

2015

Room

as Robert

Movie - Released: 10/16/2015

Walter

as Dr. Corman

Movie - Released: 3/13/2015

Dial a Prayer

as Bill

Movie - Released: 4/7/2015

Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

as Self

TV - Released: 8/2/2015

2014

Two-Bit Waltz

as Carl

Movie - Released: 10/24/2014

Rudderless

as Trill

Movie - Released: 10/17/2014

Cake

as Leonard

Movie - Released: 9/7/2014

Off Camera with Sam Jones

as Self

TV - Released: 2/6/2014

2013

A Single Shot

as Pitt

Movie - Released: 9/19/2013

Trust Me

as Gary

Movie - Released: 4/20/2013

Movie

Citizen Hearst

as Narrator

Movie - Released: 3/14/2013

2012

The Sessions

as Father Brendan

Movie - Released: 5/2/2012

Curious George: Saves the Day

as The Narrator (voice)

Movie - Released: 2/7/2012

Finding Your Roots

as Self

TV - Released: 3/24/2012

2011

The Lincoln Lawyer

as Frank Levin

Movie - Released: 3/17/2011

Portraits in Dramatic Time

Movie - Released: 7/5/2011

Return to Jurassic Park

as Self

Movie - Released: 2/5/2011

Shameless

as Frank Gallagher

TV - Released: 1/9/2011

2010

Dirty Girl

as Ray

Movie - Released: 9/12/2010

Marmaduke

as Don Twombly

Movie - Released: 6/3/2010

Conan

as Self

TV - Released: 11/8/2010

2009

The Maiden Heist

as George McLendon

Movie - Released: 5/9/2009

Shorts

as Dr. Noseworthy

Movie - Released: 8/21/2009

Heath Ledger: A Tribute

as Self

Movie - Released: 6/1/2009

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

as Self - Guest

TV - Released: 7/16/2009

2008

Bart Got a Room

as Ernie Stein

Movie - Released: 4/25/2008

The Deal

as Charlie Berns

Movie - Released: 11/20/2008

The Tale of Despereaux

as Lester (voice)

Movie - Released: 12/18/2008

2007

He Was a Quiet Man

as Gene Shelby

Movie - Released: 11/23/2007

Lynch 2

as Self

Movie - Released: 8/14/2007

Wild Hogs

as Dudley Frank

Movie - Released: 3/2/2007

Curious George: Rocket Ride and Other Adventures

Movie - Released: 5/15/2007

2006

Inland Empire

as Announcer

Movie - Released: 12/6/2006

Bobby

as Paul Ebbers

Movie - Released: 9/5/2006

Doogal

as Brian (voice)

Movie - Released: 2/24/2006

Everyone's Hero

as Lefty Maginnis (voice)

Movie - Released: 8/4/2006

Choose Your Own Adventure - The Abominable Snowman

as Rudyard North (voice)

Movie - Released: 7/25/2006

Unfiltered Comedy: The Making of 'Thank You For Smoking'

as Self

Movie - Released: 10/3/2006

Curious George

as Narrator

TV - Released: 9/4/2006

The Unit

as President of the United States

TV - Released: 3/7/2006

Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King

as Clyde Umney / Sam Landry / George Demmick

TV - Released: 7/12/2006

2005

Sahara

as Admiral Jim Sandecker

Movie - Released: 4/6/2005

Thank You for Smoking

as Senator Ortolan Finistirre

Movie - Released: 9/9/2005

Edmond

as Edmond

Movie - Released: 8/31/2005

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

as Self

TV - Released: 1/3/2005

2004

Spartan

as Stoddard

Movie - Released: 3/12/2004

In Enemy Hands

as Nathan Travers

Movie - Released: 2/25/2004

Cellular

as Sgt. Bob Mooney

Movie - Released: 9/6/2004

Reversible Errors

as Arthur Raven

Movie - Released: 5/23/2004

The Wool Cap

as Gigot

Movie - Released: 11/20/2004

2003

The Cooler

as Bernie Lootz

Movie - Released: 11/26/2003

Seabiscuit

as Tick Tock McGlaughlin

Movie - Released: 7/22/2003

Stealing Sinatra

as John Irwin

Movie - Released: 1/24/2003

Minnesota Nice

as Self

Movie - Released: 4/1/2003

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood

as Self - Narrator (voice)

Movie - Released: 3/9/2003

Movie

The True Story of Seabiscuit

as Narrator (voice)

Movie - Released: 7/27/2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

as Self

TV - Released: 9/8/2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

TV - Released: 1/26/2003

Out of Order

as Steven

TV - Released: 6/1/2003

2002

Welcome to Collinwood

as Riley

Movie - Released: 10/4/2002

It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

as Glenn

Movie - Released: 11/29/2002

Door to Door

as Bill Porter

Movie - Released: 7/14/2002

2001

Jurassic Park III

as Paul Kirby

Movie - Released: 7/18/2001

Focus

as Lawrence 'Larry' Newman

Movie - Released: 10/19/2001

The Making Of 'Jurassic Park III'

as Self

Movie - Released: 12/11/2001

Good Day Live

as Self

TV - Released: 9/17/2001

2000

Panic

as Alex

Movie - Released: 12/1/2000

State and Main

as Walt Price

Movie - Released: 8/26/2000

Psycho Path

as Self - Actor / Milton Arbogast

Movie - Released: 2/10/2000

That Moment: Magnolia Diary

as Self

Movie - Released: 1/1/2000

1999

Magnolia

as Quiz Kid Donnie Smith

Movie - Released: 12/17/1999

Happy, Texas

as Sheriff Chappy Dent

Movie - Released: 12/3/1999

Mystery Men

as Shoveler / Eddie

Movie - Released: 8/6/1999

A Slight Case of Murder

as Terry Thorpe

Movie - Released: 9/19/1999

Batman Beyond: Tech Wars / Disappearing Inque

as Aaron Herbst

Movie - Released: 5/8/1999

The Night of the Headless Horseman

as Ichabod Crane

Movie - Released: 10/28/1999

Batman Beyond

as Aaron Herbst (voice)

TV - Released: 1/10/1999

Batman Beyond

as Karros (voice)

TV - Released: 1/10/1999

1998

Pleasantville

as George Parker

Movie - Released: 9/17/1998

The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue

as Justin (voice)

Movie - Released: 12/22/1998

Psycho

as Milton Arbogast

Movie - Released: 12/4/1998

A Civil Action

as James Gordon

Movie - Released: 12/25/1998

Jerry and Tom

as Karl

Movie - Released: 12/4/1998

The Con

as Bobby

Movie - Released: 3/4/1998

Movie

Macy On Mamet

Movie - Released: 1/1/1998

Sports Night

TV - Released: 9/22/1998

The Wild Thornberrys

as Skoot (voice)

TV - Released: 9/1/1998

The Lionhearts

as Leo (voice)

TV - Released: 9/19/1998

1997

Wag the Dog

as CIA Agent Charles Young

Movie - Released: 12/25/1997

Boogie Nights

as Little Bill

Movie - Released: 10/10/1997

Air Force One

as Major Caldwell

Movie - Released: 7/25/1997

Colin Fitz

as Mr. O'Day

Movie - Released: 1/19/1997

The View

as Self

TV - Released: 8/11/1997

King of the Hill

as Dr. Rubin (voice)

TV - Released: 1/12/1997

1996

Fargo

as Jerry Lundegaard

Movie - Released: 3/8/1996

Andersonville

as Col. Chandler

Movie - Released: 3/3/1996

Ghosts of Mississippi

as Charlie Crisco

Movie - Released: 12/20/1996

Down Periscope

as Captain Knox

Movie - Released: 3/1/1996

Hit Me

as Policeman

Movie - Released: 9/9/1996

The Writing on the Wall

as Petrocelli

Movie - Released: 7/21/1996

Superman: The Animated Series

as Director (voice)

TV - Released: 9/6/1996

Andersonville

as Col. Chandler

TV - Released: 3/3/1996

1995

Mr. Holland's Opus

as Vice Principal Gene Wolters

Movie - Released: 12/29/1995

Above Suspicion

as Pros. Atty. Schultz

Movie - Released: 5/21/1995

Murder in the First

as Bill McNeill

Movie - Released: 1/20/1995

Evolver

as Evolver (voice)

Movie - Released: 2/10/1995

Roommates

as Doctor (uncredited)

Movie - Released: 3/3/1995

In the Shadow of Evil

as Dr. Frank Teague

Movie - Released: 2/7/1995

Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventure

as Railroad Magnate

Movie - Released: 3/24/1995

MADtv

as Self

TV - Released: 10/14/1995

1994

The Client

as Dr. Greenway

Movie - Released: 7/20/1994

Oleanna

as John

Movie - Released: 11/4/1994

Dead on Sight

as Steven Meeker

Movie - Released: 10/12/1994

Being Human

as Boris

Movie - Released: 5/6/1994

Inside the Actors Studio

as Self

TV - Released: 8/14/1994

as David Morgenstern

TV - Released: 9/19/1994

1993

Benny & Joon

as Randy Burch

Movie - Released: 4/16/1993

Searching for Bobby Fischer

as Tunafish Father

Movie - Released: 8/13/1993

Twenty Bucks

as Property Clerk

Movie - Released: 10/21/1993

Bakersfield P.D.

as Russell Karp

TV - Released: 9/14/1993

Frasier

as Ralph (voice)

TV - Released: 9/16/1993

1992

The Heart of Justice

as Booth

Movie - Released: 10/14/1992

The Water Engine

as Charles Lang

Movie - Released: 8/24/1992

In the Line of Duty: Siege at Marion

as Ray Daniels

Movie - Released: 2/10/1992

A Murderous Affair: The Carolyn Warmus Story

as Sean Hammel

Movie - Released: 9/13/1992

A Private Matter

as Psychiatrist

Movie - Released: 6/20/1992

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

TV - Released: 5/25/1992

1991

Homicide

as Tim Sullivan

Movie - Released: 5/28/1991

Shadows and Fog

as Cop

Movie - Released: 12/5/1991

Barton Fink

as Navy Sailor (uncredited)

Movie - Released: 8/1/1991

1990

Law & Order

as Assistant U.S. Attorney John McCormack

TV - Released: 9/13/1990

Law & Order

as Jack Powell

TV - Released: 9/13/1990

1989

The Simpsons

as William H. Macy (voice)

TV - Released: 12/17/1989

1988

Things Change

as Billy Drake

Movie - Released: 10/21/1988

Lip Service

as Farmer

Movie - Released: 10/17/1988

The Murder of Mary Phagan

as Randy

TV - Released: 1/24/1988

1987

House of Games

as Sgt. John Moran

Movie - Released: 10/11/1987

Radio Days

as Radio Voice (voice)

Movie - Released: 1/30/1987

1986

L.A. Law

as Bernard Ruskin

TV - Released: 9/15/1986

1985

The Last Dragon

as J.J.

Movie - Released: 3/22/1985

Spenser: For Hire

TV - Released: 9/20/1985

The Equalizer

as Dr. Spaulding

TV - Released: 9/18/1985

1984

The Dining Room

as Various

Movie - Released: 10/19/1984

The Boy Who Loved Trolls

as Socrates

Movie - Released: 10/29/1984

Kate & Allie

TV - Released: 3/19/1984

1983

WarGames

as NORAD Officer (uncredited)

Movie - Released: 6/3/1983

Without a Trace

as Reporter

Movie - Released: 2/4/1983

The Cradle Will Fall

as Ben Duffy

Movie - Released: 5/24/1983

1980

Foolin' Around

as Bronski

Movie - Released: 10/17/1980

Somewhere in Time

as Critic

Movie - Released: 10/2/1980

1978

The Awakening Land

as Will Beagle

TV - Released: 2/19/1978

1953

The Oscars

as Self

TV - Released: 3/19/1953

Unknown

Movie

The Deputy

as Chief Krueger

Movie

Exit Right

as John Randall

Movie

Frontier Crucible

Movie