William H. Macy

William H. Macy (also credited as William Hall Macy Jr., W.H. Macy, or Bill Macy) is an American screen and stage artist born March 13, 1950, in Miami, Florida. Known for intelligent, grounded character work, he has built a career spanning film, television, and theater as an actor, writer, director, and educator.

Macy earned major acclaim—and an Academy Award nomination—for playing anxious car salesman Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo. While he’s often associated with sharp independent films, he has also moved easily into mainstream hits, including Jurassic Park III as Paul Kirby. Other standout roles include Magnolia, Wag the Dog, and Mr. Holland’s Opus, where his understated intensity elevates every scene.

He reached a new level of global recognition as Frank Gallagher on Showtime’s long-running series Shameless (2011–2021). Frequently cast as an approachable “everyman,” Macy has translated that persona into a decorated awards record, including multiple Emmy wins, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and several Golden Globe nominations.