Ted McGinley, an American actor, has made numerous appearances in films and television programs since the 1980s. His roles as Roger Phillips, Stan Gable, Charley Shanowski, and Jefferson D’Arcy on the sitcoms Happy Days, Hope & Faith, and Married with Children, as well as his portrayal of Jefferson D’Arcy on Married with Children, are his best-known ones. He has also appeared in repeat episodes of The West Wing, Dynasty, The Love Boat, and Sports Night. In this article, we will discuss Ted McGinley childhood and education, how did he start his career, and many more things.
Childhood and education
On May 30, 1958, in Newport Beach, California, Ted McGinley was born. Irish immigrants made up his paternal grandfather’s family. He came from a sporting family and excelled in water polo while attending Newport Harbor High School. During the summer, he also worked as a lifeguard at the beach. He majored in real estate and urban planning at USC after graduating on a water polo scholarship. He belonged to the Sigma Chi fraternity, served as the team’s captain, and was twice named MVP of the water polo team.
Career
When a casting director came across McGinley’s image in GQ, she approached him about playing Roger Phillips, the Cunninghams’ nephew, on Happy Days. He performed the role from 1980 to 1984, and in the show’s final season, he was added to the cast as a regular. He made an appearance in his debut movie, Young Doctors in Love, in 1982, while he was a cast member of Happy Days.
McGinley played Stan Gable, the president of the Alpha Beta fraternity and the main antagonist of the Nerds, in Revenge of the Nerds after Happy Days ended. In three sequels, two of which were produced for television, he played the same part again.
How did he start his career?
On May 30, 1958, in Newport Beach, California, McGinley was born. In high school and college, he excelled in the sport of water polo. He received a water polo scholarship to attend USC, but he left after his second year to pursue modeling and acting. A casting director saw his photo in GQ magazine and approached him about playing Roger Phillips, the Cunninghams’ nephew, on Happy Days. This is how he was found. He played the role from 1980 to 1984.
What are some of his notable roles?
McGinley has made numerous film and television appearances over the years. Some of his notable performances include:
- Stan Gable in the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds and its follow-ups. He portrayed the Alpha Beta fraternity’s president and the primary foe of the nerds.
- Next, he played Ace Evans in The Love Boat (1984–1987). He acted as the ship’s photographer and Julie McCoy’s love interest.
- Then, he appeared as Clay Fallmont in Dynasty (1986–1987). He portrayed the love interest for Sammy Jo Carrington and the son of Blake Carrington’s rival.
- Later, he starred as Jefferson D’Arcy in Married… with Children (1989–1997). He portrayed Al Bundy’s best friend as well as Marcy D’Arcy’s husband. He was a slacker, vain, and cunning former spy who lived off his wife’s money.
- After that, he played Gordon on Sports Night (1999-2000). He portrayed Dana Whitaker, the executive producer of a sports news show.
- Finally, he appeared as Mark Gottfried on The West Wing from 2002 to 2003. He portrayed a White House correspondent who had a brief affair with C.J. Cregg.
What is he doing now?
McGinley is still working as an actor and has recently been seen in a number of films. Among them are:
- A-X-L (2018). He portrayed George Fontaine, the CEO of a robotics firm that produced the A-X-L robotic dog.
- The Baxters (current as of 2019). He portrays John Baxter, the head of a large family that faces a variety of difficulties and joys.
- From 2021 until now, Keeping Up with the Joneses. He portrays Webb Jones, a former CIA agent who relocates with his wife and their adopted children to a suburban neighborhood.
What are some of his awards and achievements?
He earned the TV Land Award for Favorite Airborne Character in 2009 for his role as Ace Evans on The Love Boat. Additionally, he won the MovieGuide Award for Most Inspirational Performance in 2019 for his role as Thomas Ellsworth in God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness. Moreover, he got two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations in 1995 and 1996 for his role as Jefferson D’Arcy on Married… with Children: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Furthermore, he received a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Actor Guest Starring in a Television Series in 1982 for his role as Roger Phillips on Happy Days. Finally, he accepted the Humanitarian Award from the Alzheimer’s Association in 2004 for his commitment to the cause.
Conclusion
Ted McGinley, an American actor, has starred in many films and television shows. His roles as Stan Gable in Revenge of the Nerds, Charley Shanowski on Hope & Faith, and Jefferson D’Arcy on Married… with Children are his most famous ones. He started his career as a model and then got a role on Happy Days. He has also appeared in other television and film projects, such as God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness.
FAQs
Q1: Where and when was Ted McGinley born?
Ted McGinley was born in Newport Beach, California, on May 30, 1958.
Q2: What television shows and films has Ted McGinley appeared in?
Ted McGinley has acted in a few television programs and motion pictures, such as Married… with Children, Hope & Faith, Revenge of the Nerds, Happy Days, The Love Boat, Dynasty, Sports Night, The West Wing, and God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness.
Q3: How many kids does Ted McGinley have? Who is his spouse?
Beau and Quinn are the names of Ted McGinley’s two sons from his marriage to Gigi Rice, an actress.
Q4: What is Ted McGinley’s relic Catholic, and what organizations does he support for charity?
Ted McGinley is a devoted Catholic who donates to a number of organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Q5: What honors and accomplishments has Ted McGinley received or been nominated for?
Ted McGinley received or earned nominations for the TV Land Award for Favorite Airborne Character, the MovieGuide Award for Most Inspiring Performance, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor Guest Starring in a Television Series, and the Humanitarian Award by the Alzheimer’s Association.
