Jeff McCracken
Jeff McCracken | |
|---|---|
| File:Jeff McCracken in Waiting for the Light.jpg McCracken in the film Waiting for the Light | |
| Born | September 12, 1952 Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, director, producer, writer |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | Janet Taylor McCracken |
Jeff McCracken (born September 12, 1952, Chicago, Illinois) is an American actor, director, producer, writer, and painter.
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 and being a member of Circle Repertory Company where he originated roles in new works by Lanford Wilson and Beth Henley, as well as leading roles in films, including The One Man Jury (1978), Stranger in Our House (1979), "Kent State" (1980), Running Brave (1985), and Waiting for the Light (1990).[1] He starred 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.
Jeff developed and co-produced the feature film Quiz Show directed by Robert Redford that won the New York Film Critics Award for Best Picture as well as being nominated for an Academy Award. He was executive producer of the independent feature film One Cup of Coffee which won the Audience Award for Best Picture at the Sundance Film Festival before being distributed by Miramax Films as Pastime.
While at the Walt Disney Company he developed, produced and directed television shows Boy Meets World; Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane; Dinosaurs;,[2] 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.
He graduated Evanston Township High School in 1970 before serving in the Air Force during Viet Nam where he attained the rank of sergeant. McCracken received a degree in creative writing from Goddard College.[3]
Jeff has been an associate professor at Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts <ref Jeff McCracken biography at Chapman University</ref> before moving back east to focus on several projects for the theater and film. He has also taught at New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
He currently lives in Washington, Connecticut with his wife, Janet Taylor McCracken, who is a food editor and recipe developer for publications such as Los Angeles Times, Bon Appetit, and Food and Wine. They have three children, Joanna, Dylan, and Claire, and two granddaughters, Bridget Eliza and Keira Jane. An avid oil painter, his recent series of paintings is entitled, "Travelers." He is the grandson of jazz clarinetist great, Bob McCracken.
References
- ^ Jeff McCracken Biography at Film Reference
- ^ Jeff McCracken at Movies & TV, The New York Times.
- ^ "Jeff McCracken | New York Writers Workshop and Resources Site demo". mklennon.com. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
External links
- Jeff McCracken at IMDb
- Jeff McCracken Interview on Boy Meets World: [https://www.yahoo.com/tv/boy-meets-world-halloween-episode-and-then-there-was-shawn-130029292.html
- 1952 births
- American male film actors
- Film producers from Illinois
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- American television directors
- Television producers from Illinois
- Chapman University faculty
- Living people
- Male actors from Chicago
- Schools in Evanston, Illinois
- Evanston Township High School alumni
- People from Evanston, Illinois
- Washington, Connecticut