Trivia

The writers and producers ofThe Simpsons (1989)have joked semi-seriously that if there was ever a live-action version of the series, then he would be the perfect choice to play Ned Flanders.

Lived withFelicity Huffmanfor 15 years before they married in 1997.

While in college, Macy had an old van with a bumper sticker that read: "Don't Laugh--Your Daughter May Be in Here".

His agent tried to discourage him from reading the script forBoogie Nights (1997),but he read it anyway, loved it, and signed on to do the film.

Lobbied hard for his role inFargo (1996),including flying from Los Angeles to New York at his own expense for a third audition, and, he says, "I essentially told them I'd shoot their pets if they didn't give me this role and I wasn't leaving the room until they cast me.".

Auditioned for the role of Brian on the sitcomFamily Guy (1999),which went toSeth MacFarlane.

His hobbies are woodworking and playing the ukulele.

Was the first choice to voice Marlin inFinding Nemo (2003),which went toAlbert Brooks.

When he was introduced during the 1997 Academy Awards (his first nomination, forFargo (1996)), he was incorrectly referred to by the voice-over announcer as the former star of the sitcomMaude (1972),which was actually comedianBill Macy.

Uses the name William H. Macy so he won't be confused with 1970s comedianBill Macy.

When he appeared onInside the Actors Studio (1994),he recalled that at the wrap party forBoogie Nights (1997),Nina Hartley,who played his character Little Bill's wife and who was a real-life porn star, gave the cast gifts of her own porn films. Macy's present was a copy ofNina Hartley's Guide to Anal Sex (1996).

He and wifeFelicity Huffmanboth received Emmy Award nominations in 2005.

Has admitted to experimenting with LSD in college. He stated some friends referred to him as "acid head".

He, wifeFelicity Huffman,Giancarlo Esposito,and TV starsCamryn ManheimandKristen Johnstonare all members of the New York-based Atlantic Theater Company, which Macy and writerDavid Mametco-founded in 1985.

Became a spokesperson for United Cerebral Palsy after filming Door to Door (2002).

Has been widely rumored to own a large collection of boomerangs. Macy himself says he does not collect boomerangs and has no idea how the rumor got started.

He and his wifeFelicity Huffmanhave two daughters:Sofia Macy(Sofia Grace Macy) (born on August 1, 2000) andGeorgia Macy(Georgia Grace Macy) (born on March 14, 2002).

MetFelicity Huffmanwhen she was one of his students at the Atlantic Theater Company

His best friends called him "Willie" when he attended Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia.

To date, William H. Macy has received five consecutive Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Frank Gallagher on "Shameless."

While in New York he worked as "voice-over talent", including "Secret--strong enough for a man but made for a woman" ( "That's my most famous voice-over" he said in an interview in "Esquire" magazine, August 1997).

Attended Allegany High School in Cumberland, Maryland. He was junior and senior class president of his graduating class.

Awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard on March 7, 2012.

Studied underDavid Mametat Goddard College, Vermont.

His father William was an Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress pilot in WWII.

The pop rock bandHead Automaticahas a song named after him called "I Shot William H. Macy".

William H. Macy has won three Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance as Frank Gallagher in "Shameless."

Was a founding member of St. Nicholas Theater in Chicago withDavid Mamet and writerSteven Schachter.

He andMary Steenburgenare sixth cousins, once removed; revealed in the PBS series,Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2012).

In 2003, William H. Macy won Emmys for writing and acting in the TV movie "Door to Door," which he also directed.

With his hair a little on the long side, Macy was once mistaken forMick JaggerofThe Rolling Stonesat a Japanese airport.

Remembers jokes and always tells one when he appears onLate Night with Conan O'Brien (1993).

He is the son of Lois Elizabeth (Overstreet) and William Hall Macy. His ancestry includes Scottish, English, and smaller amounts of Irish, French Cajun, Welsh, Swiss-German, and Dutch, as well as 1/64th Spanish and 1/512 Choctaw Native American.

After spending years in Chicago theater and building his resume as an actor, at age 28 he relocated to New York City for film and television work.

William H. Macy likes to ride motorcycles, inspired by the role he played in the hit 2007 film "Wild Hogs."

After portraying a man with cerebral palsy in a 2002 TV movie he co-wrote, "Door to Door," William H. Macy became a spokesperson for United Cerebral Palsy.

During his hiatuses on "Shameless," William H. Macy has directed three feature films: "Rudderless" (2014), "The Layover" (2017), and "Krystal" (2017).

William H. Macy and his actress wifeFelicity Huffmanboth have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

As of 2016, has appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar:Fargo (1996),Seabiscuit (2003),andRoom (2015).

Owns a Bernese Mountain Dog that he bought in Grass Valley, California.

Owns a home in Vermont.

For his acclaimed role in the Coen brothers film "Fargo," William H. Macy won an Independent Spirit Award and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

At Goddard College, William H. Macy studied under playwright David Mamet and later originated roles in a number of Mamet plays.

William H. Macy is director-in-residence of New York's Atlantic Theater Company, which he co-founded with playwright David Mamet in 1985.

William H. Macy auditioned for the role of Brian, the talking dog on the animated series "Family Guy," but the role ultimately went to series creator Seth McFarlane.

William H. Macy appeared opposite his wife Felicity Huffman in episodes of the 1998-2000 ABC sitcom "Sports Night," receiving an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor - Comedy Series.

Nominated for the 2018 Emmy Award in the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category for his role as Frank Gallagher inShameless (2011),but lost toBill HaderfromBarry (2018).

William H. Macy’s role in "Seabiscuit" won him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Was among the guests atMarcia Cross' wedding to Tom Mahoney

William H. Macy changed his stage name slightly to avoid confusion with actor Bill Macy, well known for playing the husband of Bea Arthur on the popular sitcom "Maude."