Bruce McGill

Overview

Born
July 11, 1950 · San Antonio, Texas, USA
Birth name
Bruce Travis McGill
Height
5′ 9¼″ (1.76 m)

Biography

Family

Spouse
Parents
Relatives

Trademarks

Often plays real life figures such as politicians and other figures of authority.
Frequently cast by Michael Mann

Trivia

Accomplished pianist and guitarist.
Was in the first episode (as Weird Ernie) and last episode (as Al the Bartender) of the series "Quantum Leap". They were the only two episodes he guested on.
Remains in close contact with his MacGyver (1985) co-star Richard Dean Anderson.
Was mistakenly cast for the Babylon 5 installment, Severed Dreams. The executive producer had actually wanted Everett McGill. Bruce McGill performed well, however, and the show remains a fan favorite.
His favorite roles to date have been National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) and The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000).

Quotes

(2012, on Matchstick Men) I think it's one of a handful of the best movies I've done. I think it's one of Nic Cage's top performances. Sam Rockwell and myself and Nic just loved that movie. It's a really good grown-up comedy. I just think the world of that. And to play the two realities at all times was very liberating.
(2012, on handling rejection) One of the defense mechanisms I have for the difficulties in the business, one of which is rejection, is that if I do the work, I go in, and I'm prepared and I audition and they don't hire me, I'm always just amazed, thinking, "Wow! For that money, they could've had Bruce McGill, and they didn't take me? I just think that's amazing. Well, too bad for them." Rather than go, "Oh, what did I do wrong?" I just don't do that. I don't go down that road. So it's a built-in defense mechanism, but also, I feel that way. I feel like with what I know and what I can deliver, if I look enough like the guy they want to even have me in, and they don't use me, then that's their shortcoming. It's a reflection on their inability to see what's right in front of them rather than my inability to get the role.
(2012, on The Hand and working with Oliver Stone) I was looking for any A-features, and Michael Caine really made it an A-feature. So I thought, "Well, sure, that'd be great!" And it was a great experience. I really loved working with Michael Caine. He's a really skilled and experienced actor. I learn something from everybody, but when you work with somebody like that, you actually learn things you can put in your toolbox, things about craft. Not necessarily life lessons, but actual things he knows that you can pick up. To watch Oliver (Stone) direct his first film-I wouldn't change anything. I was really glad to be there, and then I was glad to see him again when we did W. He's a really smart guy, he's a really good writer, and...He has a certain kind of personality. But I really enjoy him. He's not everybody's cup of tea, but I like him a lot.