Adam McKay's work across comedy and drama have been the center of attention for years. His humble begginings started in Pennsilvania, Chicago, and New York before becoming an icon in Los Angeles and the world over.
Film School(s): Penn State University, Temple University, Second City
Biography:
McKay attended Pennsylvania State University before transferring to Temple University where he majored in English. He then dropped out a few months short of graduation to move to Chicago and improve his comedy skills. There, he studied Comedy Improv with Del Close and performed at the ImprovOlympic where he co-founded the Upright Citizens Brigade Improv comedy group.
Although McKay had originally auditioned for SNL to be an onscreen performer and didn’t make the cut, the scripts he submitted earned him a job as a writer in 1995 and within a year, he became the head writer. He went on to direct and a number of short films for the show, including the SNL Digital Shorts.
McKay teamed up with Will Ferrell to form Garry Sanchez Productions and has written comedy films such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and many others. He has also produced and directed films such as Land of the Lost, Get Hard, Sleeping with Other People, Daddy’s Home, and The Big Short and the latest Netflix sensation, Don’t Look Up.
The Big Short had Adam nominated for the 88th for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director. Don’t Look Up has also been nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture at the 94th Academy Awards.
Adam McKay is a comedy genius and his work is some of the funniest and most successful in Hollywood today.
