Jeff McCracken (born September 12, 1952) is an American actor, director, producer, and artist.

Jeff McCracken
Born (1952-09-12) September 12, 1952 (age 71)
Chicago, Illinois, US
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • producer
  • artist
Years active1978–present
SpouseJanet Taylor McCracken

Early life and education edit

Born in Chicago, McCracken graduated Evanston Township High School in 1970. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, where he attained the rank of sergeant.[citation needed] McCracken earned a Bachelor of Arts a degree in creative writing from Goddard College.[1]

Career edit

After studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City he began his acting career on Broadway and off-Broadway, including Breakfast with Les and Bess by Lee Kalcheim.[citation needed] As a member of the Circle Repertory Company he appeared in Confluence by Lanford Wilson, John Bishop and Beth Henley.[2][3] He also had roles in films, including The One Man Jury (1978), Stranger in Our House (1979), Kent State (1981),[4] Running Brave (1985), and Waiting for the Light (1990). He appeared in television series, Bay City Blues and Hawaiian Heat, as well as guest starring in other series such as: JAG, thirtysomething, The Hitchhiker, St. Elsewhere, The Torkelsons, All is Forgiven, LAX, and Private Eye.

McCracken developed and co-produced the feature film Quiz Show.[5] He was production executive on Pastime.[6]

While at the Walt Disney Company he developed, produced and directed television shows Boy Meets World; Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane; Dinosaurs;[7] and You Wish, as well as developing and overseeing production of The Torkelsons, Maybe This Time, Misery Loves Company, Where I Live, and Singer and Sons. In all he has directed over seventy episodes of television, including NYPD Blue, Boy Meets World, Dinosaurs, Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane, Still Standing, The Trouble With Normal, Suite Life of Zach and Cody, and Smart Guy.

His artwork has appeared in the magazine The Guide Artists.[8] He taught for several years at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, becoming an associate professor in 2008,[9] and in 2016 he was a teacher at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts.[10]

Personal life edit

McCracken lives in Washington, Connecticut, with his wife, Janet Taylor McCracken, who is a food editor.[11][better source needed] They have three children.[citation needed]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1978 Paradise Alley Sailor Uncredited
1978 The One Man Jury Billy Joe Kerman
1979 Yanks Soldier Uncredited
1983 Running Brave Dennis Riley
1987 Jake's M.O. Tab Hoberman
1990 Waiting for the Light Charlie

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1978 Summer of Fear Mike Gallagher Television film
1981 Kent State Bill Schroeder
1981 Family Reunion Max Winfield
1983–1984 Bay City Blues Vic Kresky 8 episodes
1984 Hawaiian Heat Andy Senkowski 10 episodes
1986 All Is Forgiven Lance Tyler Episode: "Past Perfect"
1986 A Winner Never Quits Sheldrake Television film
1986 St. Elsewhere Mr. Stritch Episode: "Up and Down"
1987 The Hitchhiker Allen Episode: "Joker"
1987, 1988 Private Eye Eddie / Vinnie Muzak 2 episodes
1989 Thirtysomething Dave Calloman Episode: "Payment Due"
1991 The Torkelsons Reverend Langley Wilson 2 episodes
2004 JAG Captain Goldman Episode: "Crash"
2004 LAX Gavin Episode: "Finnegan Again, Begin Again"

References edit

  1. ^ "Jeff McCracken". mklennon.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  2. ^ Rich, Frank (January 11, 1982). "Stage: 'Confluence,' 3 One-Acters, at Circle Rep". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Confluence". iobdb.com. Internet Off-Broadway Database.
  4. ^ "Kent State - Full Cast & Crew". tvguide.com. TV Guide.
  5. ^ "Quiz Show - Full Cast & Crew". tvguide.com. TV Guide.
  6. ^ "Pastime". tcm.com. TCM.
  7. ^ "Jeff McCracken at Movies & TV". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012.
  8. ^ Gómez, Jennifer (December 13, 2021). "Interview with Jeff McCracken". theguideartists.com. The Guide Artists.
  9. ^ "Dodge College Announces Key Additions to Faculty for Fall 2008". blogs.chapman.edu. Chapman University.
  10. ^ Alter, Ethan (October 26, 2016). "Inside 'And Then There Was Shawn,' the Scary-Funny 'Boy Meets World' Halloween Episode". yahoo.com. Yahoo! Entertainment.
  11. ^ "Janet Taylor McCracken". thekitchn.com. kitchn.

External links edit