Michael was born to George and Gloria McGrady. He is of Irish, British, German and French descent. He was raised in the Pacific Northwest in Washington State. He studied Business Administration at The University of Washington with plans to attend Law school. However, after having overcome a bout with malignant melanoma at the age of 19 – the same cancer that took his father’s life only one year earlier, and 4 years at University and with an uncertain future health-wise, he decided to take a break from school and move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. With his sister Shari’s prompting and support, $180 cash and a backpack, Michael moved to Los Angeles in 1983 and never looked back.
Michael quickly rose through the ranks of working actors to become a prominent mainstay in Hollywood. His foray into television began with several guest star appearances in all of the top tier television programs of the 80’s and 90’s. Additionally, he secured supporting roles in several studio films-The Babe, as baseball legend Lou Gehrig opposite John Goodman, to Diggstown as Frank Mangrum alongside Academy Award winners James Woods and Lou Gossett Jr. He also played John Shanssey in Wyatt Earp with Kevin Costner. Other notable films include Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line, Ulu Grosbard’s Deep End of The Ocean alongside Michelle Pfeiffer as well as several independent films such as 5 Aces with Charlie Sheen, Rage, with Nicholas Cage, The Perfect Family with Jason Ritter and Kathleen Turner and The Frozen Ground with Nicholas Cage and John Cusack.
Michael can be seen as Special Agent in Charge DEA Tom Brennan on CBS’ new show, FBI. As Captain Herrington on CBS’ Seal Team and as Supervising Assistant States Attorney James “Jimmy” Osha, in NBC’s, Chicago PD. Other notable credits: Critically acclaimed FX event series, Emmy winner, AMERICAN CRIME STORY: THE PEOPLE VS OJ SIMPSON as Detective Phillip Van Atter, Showtime’s Emmy nominated series RAY DONOVAN, as Detective Frank Barnes. NBC’s Emmy winning television series, SOUTHLAND as Detective Daniel “Sal” Salinger.
In addition to his success as an actor on stage, film and television, Michael is an accomplished fine artist as well. His work is currently represented in several galleries across the country. Michael and his wife Ilka own and operate McGrady Fine Art.
He is also a sought after Public and Motivational speaker, speaking on a variety of topics and subject matter. Registered with All American Entertainment.
When not filming, Michael can be found performing with his band Michael McGrady’s Sonic Groove band in and around the Los Angeles area. Or you can find him outdoors sailing, surfing, riding his Harley or soaring his Hang Glider above the mountains of beautiful Santa Barbara. He resides in Thousand Oaks, California and a vacation home on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State.
