MICHAEL MCGRADY
The Actor
" Acting is not like most people think, a matter of putting on masks. That’s what we as people do all day long.
Professional acting is rather removing those masks and allowing your raw emotions to bleed out in a performance.
It’s a courageous act really.
It’s the ability to be vulnerable.
It’s been likened to running through the city streets buck naked.”
​
​
- Michael McGrady
Biography
​
Born to George and Gloria McGrady with Irish, British, German and French heritage. Michael was raised in the Pacific Northwest in Washington and studied Business at the University of Washington (UW). After overcoming a life-changing bout with malignant melanoma at the young age of 19, the same cancer that took his father’s life only one year earlier – he decided to leave life at the university and took a leap of faith to pursue his passion of becoming a film and television actor and film maker. With $185 and a backpack, Michael decided to move to Los Angeles in 1983.
Michael quickly rose through the ranks of working actors to become a mainstay in Hollywood, working steadily for close to 40 years in popular primetime TV shows and Studio films.
Such as: "Diggstown", with Academy Award winners James Wood and Lou Gossett Jr., with Kevin Costner in "Wyatt Earp", Charlie Sheen Five Aces, Michelle Pfeiffer in "Deep End of The Ocean".
As well as several independent films such as “The Perfect Family” with Kathleen Turner & Emily Deschanel. (see IMDB)
Besides Michaels prolific movie career, he can also be seen as FBI Agent, Frank Barnes in Showtimes, "Ray Donovan", Captain Herrington on CBS’ “Seal Team”. Other notable credits include NBC’s, “Chicago PD” an in the critically acclaimed series “Southland”, as series regular, Detective “Sal” Salinger.
In addition to all of his movie and television credits Michael also lend his voice and likeness to Rockstar’s popular video game "L.A. Noir",as Rusty Galloway.
During Michaels career, he has had many opportunities of portraying “real life figures” such as
Lou Gehrig - one of the most famous baseball player in the world in “The Babe”, starring John Godman.
In “Frozen Ground” Michael took on the role of Detective John Gentile – a detective who helped un-cover the notorious Alaskan serial killer, Robert Hansen. He can also be seen as Detective Phillip Van Atter in "American Crime Story: People vs OJ Simson".
In addition to being an actor Michael is also an accomplished and collected fine artist, musician and lead singer in his band The Sonic Groove Band, playing throughout Los Angeles and vicinity. He is also a sought after motivational and keynote speaker, He speaks on topics such as: Overcoming Adversity, Beating The Odds, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Setting and Accomplishing Value Driven Goals and as a father of three children: Fatherhood .
​
When not acting or painting Michael enjoys, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, riding his Harley, playing guitar, and for many years was an advanced rated Hang Glider Pilot, having flown his glider at various locations around the world.
​
​
