Biography

Jeff McCracken grew up in Chicago and graduated from Evanston Township High School. Upon leaving the Air Force, Jeff studied with Sanford Meisner and Bill Alderson at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City and then throughout his career with Stella Adler, Jack Garfein, and Larry Moss. He's starred on Broadway, off-Broadway, and at Circle Repertory Company in New York City, where he originated roles in new works by such playwrights as Lanford Wilson, Beth Henley, and Lee Kalcheim. While on Broadway, Jeff was cast by Steven Bochco to star in Bay City Blues (1983), a television series about minor league baseball. After being cast opposite Shirley MacLaine and Teri Garr in Waiting for the Light (1990) he was asked to help produce "One Cup Of Coffee," a feature film that eventually won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival that was subsequently distributed by Miramax as Pastime (1990). Based on the film's critical reception he was next offered a chance to develop material at the Walt Disney Company, where he developed and co-produced the motion picture Quiz Show (1994) directed by Robert Redford that received an Academy Award nomination and numerous awards including the New York Film Critics Award for Best Picture. As a director, Jeff has directed over seventy episodes of television, including Steven Bochco's NYPD Blue (1993) as well as having developed, produced and directed many shows that include Boy Meets World (1993) Dinosaurs (1991) Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane (1999) [You Wish] [Them Torkelsons] [Where I Live] [Misery Loves Company] [Maybe This Time] [Straight White Male] Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Goddard College. Jeff was also an Associate Professor at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts from 2008-2012 before moving back to the east coast where he has also taught at NYU Tisch Film School and The Writer's Workshop. Guild Memberships include: DGA, SAG, AEA, DGC. He is grandson to Bob McCracken, jazz clarinetist with Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, and Kid Ory. Jeff is also an accomplished painter whose work has been featured in "The Guide Artists Magazine" and other international publications.
- IMDb mini biography by: Adam Francis

He is also an avid horseman in rodeoing and cutting. A love he developed while visiting his great uncle's Texas ranch when he was a boy. Also, he was an amateur boxer in New York City with three undefeated fights before realizing he liked his marbles.

He directed 51 episodes of Boy Meets World (1993), more than anyone else.

McCracken is also an accomplished painter whose work has been featured in international art magazines. His recent paintings focus on individuals being private in a public place, capturing that fleeting moment when their inner humanity is revealed regardless of who they are or where they're from.