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Gerald McRaney at an event for What Women Want (2000)

Biography

Gerald McRaney

Overview

  • Born
    August 19, 1947 · Collins, Mississippi, USA
  • Birth name
    Gerald Lee McRaney
  • Nickname
    • Mackie
  • Height
    6′ 1″ (1.85 m)

Biography

  • McRaney holds the distinction of being the last guest star to meet "Matt Dillon" in a gunfight on Gunsmoke (1955) - in the episode, Hard Labor (1975), first broadcast on February 24, 1975 (he lost). In fact, in the early portion of Gerald McRaney's career he almost always played the villain; but, since his first series, Simon & Simon (1981), hit it big, he's played mostly good guys. The character of passionate but irresponsible "Rick Simon" gave McRaney the opportunity to play a dramatic role with a comedic edge. A second hit series, Major Dad (1989), showcased his talent for comedy. McRaney met and fell in love with fellow southerner Delta Burke when she guest-starred on Simon & Simon (1981). He later appeared on her series, Designing Women (1986), as her ex-husband, although it is an unwritten rule that actors with current series don't do guest roles; they were married not long after.
    - IMDb mini biography by: Kat Parsons <fke2d@Virginia.edu>
  • Gerald McRaney was born August 19, 1947 in Collins, Mississippi. He is known as "Mac" to his family and friends. He began his acting career in junior high school when he injured his knee playing football and he joined the drama club. He spent several years acting in small roles and guest appearances while working in the Louisiana oil fields to support himself and his family. He got his first big break when he got the part of "Rick Simon" on Simon & Simon (1981) which aired on CBS for eight seasons. He then went on to star in and produce Major Dad (1989), in which he played "Major John D. MacGillis" which ran for four seasons on CBS. He has starred in many made for TV movies.
    - IMDb mini biography by: unknown

Family

  • Spouses
      Delta Burke(May 28, 1989 - present)
      Patricia Rae Moran(November 14, 1981 - 1989) (divorced, 1 child)
      Beverly Augusta Root(May 1966 - 1971) (divorced, 3 children)
  • Children
      Jessica Lamar McRaney
      Angus Edmon McRaney
      Kate McRaney
  • Parents
      Clyde McRaney
      Edna McRaney
  • Relatives
      Buddy McRaney(Sibling)

Trivia

  • Of Scottish and Choctaw Indian heritage.
  • His son is deaf.
  • Tested for the role of "Luke Duke" on The Dukes of Hazzard (1979).
  • Underwent surgery at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to remove a cancerous tumor
  • He attended the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss")

Quotes

  • It occurs to me that the only way you can have a positive effect on people's lives through your work is by filling the loneliness -- letting people know they're not in this thing alone.
  • [in response to the question, "Do you feel like a Marine?" on Major Dad (1989) during an on set 1992 interview by the Department of the Navy's, "Navy News This Week"] It's easy to put the uniform on and pretend, but earning the damn thing is a whole different story.

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