An actor, writer, and director from This is Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, and The Pajama Game...

Michael McKean

Actor, writer, and director Michael McKean has been associated with some of pop culture's most iconographic film and television shows of the last three decades. Mr. McKean starred in the '70s television series Laverne and Shirley, also serving as writer and sometime director.

Segueing to film, he co-wrote, composed music for, and starred in the classic rock comedy This is Spinal Tap, and he is in the new release For Your Consideration. His latest accomplishments include the Academy Award nominated song "A Kiss At The End Of The Rainbow", cowritten with wife Annette O'Toole for the film A Mighty Wind. Earlier this year, Mr. McKean returned to Broadway to star in the hit revival of The Pajama Game. His other New York theater credits include Hairspray, playing the role of the irrepressible stage mother Edna Turnblad, and the World Premiere of Woody Allen's play A Second Hand Memory. He is playing for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the International Myeloma Foundation.

"His movies have included This is Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind. This year he appeared in The Pajama Game on Broadway. Please welcome Grammy winner and Oscar nominee..."

Last name pronounced like "mih-KEE-an".

Appeared on a Celebrity episode of Rock & Roll Jeopardy! on 2000-07-24.