ADAM MCKAY

Date of Birth: 1968

Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Adam McKay began performing standup comedy in local bars and restaurants when he was still a teenager. He then moved to Chicago to study improvisation with famed teacher/director Del Close. In 1992, he co-founded the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe before becoming a member of Chicago's Second City Theater.

In 1994, McKay auditioned for the hit late night comedy sketch series Saturday Night Live. He was hoping to be a performer, but instead was chosen for his writing ability after submitting four scripts. In 1995 he joined the writing staff, and the next year, was promoted to Head Writer. McKay stayed with the show for over five years. During that time, he was nominated, along with the rest of the writing team, for an Emmy and two Writers Guild Awards.

He also directed a number of widely-praised comedic shorts that aired on SNL, featuring the regular performers as well as guests such as Willem Dafoe, Ben Stiller and Steve Buscemi. McKay made his feature film writing and directing debut with Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), starring SNL alumnus Will Ferrell. He teamed up with Ferrell again for Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006).

McKay has two children with his wife, actress/theater director Shira Piven.

Filmography: