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Mike O'Malley

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Mike O'Malley
Born
Michael Edward O'Malley

(1966-10-31) October 31, 1966 (age 57)
Alma materUniversity of New Hampshire
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
  • producer
Years active1991–present
Children3

Michael Edward O'Malley (born October 31, 1966) is an American actor, writer and television producer. Born in Boston and raised in New Hampshire, O'Malley hosted the early 1990s children's game shows Get the Picture and Nickelodeon Guts before moving to Los Angeles later that decade to star in his own sitcom for NBC called The Mike O'Malley Show. He is best known for his role as Jimmy Hughes on Yes, Dear, a CBS series which aired from 2000 to 2006. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his role as Burt Hummel on the Fox series Glee.

O'Malley has also guest-starred in series including My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope, Parenthood, and Parks and Recreation, and has appeared in films including 28 Days; Deep Impact; Leatherheads; Eat, Pray, Love; R.I.P.D.; Concussion; and Sully.

O'Malley is also a published playwright whose plays include Three Years From Thirty and Diverting Devotion. He adapted another play called Searching for Certainty for Peter Askin's film Certainty, which premiered at the Boston Film Festival in 2011. O'Malley was also a writer on Showtime's comedy-drama Shameless.

O'Malley was the creator and an executive producer of the Starz series Survivor's Remorse, which ran for four seasons between 2014 and 2017. He has recently been a regular on the TNT series Snowpiercer based on the film of the same name.

Early life

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O'Malley was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire. His mother Marianne was a career counselor and father Tony O'Malley an executive in the defense industry.[1]

O'Malley graduated from Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, New Hampshire in 1984, and from the University of New Hampshire in 1988, where he studied theater. He is also a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Career

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Television

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O'Malley's first career breakthrough came as the host of Nickelodeon children's game show Get the Picture in 1991. A year later, in 1992, he was the host of Nickelodeon Guts and later Global GUTS from 1992 to 1995. On the advice of Marc Summers, O'Malley moved to Los Angeles after the conclusion of GUTS to further pursue his acting career. O'Malley starred in Life with Roger, a series which aired from 1996 to 1997.[2] In 1999, two of thirteen filmed episodes of The Mike O'Malley Show aired before the show was canceled. During the 1990s, he also appeared as "The Rick", a character in a series of ads for the ESPN network. In 2018, The Rick made a return in ads for the ESPN+ streaming service.

From 2000 to 2006, O'Malley starred as Jimmy Hughes on the CBS comedy Yes, Dear. He later reprised this role in 2013 on the sitcom Raising Hope. Along with Yes, Dear costar Anthony Clark, O'Malley appeared in the Alan Jackson music video "The Talkin' Song Repair Blues". From 2000 to 2002, O'Malley also provided the voice of Darryl MacPherson for The WB's Baby Blues.

In 2006, O'Malley made a guest appearance on My Name Is Earl as a police officer with bowling aspirations, and made several more guest appearances on the show. In 2008, O'Malley appeared in the NBC drama My Own Worst Enemy.

In 2008, O'Malley became the spokesman for Time Warner Cable's digital cable. In 2009, O'Malley began playing the recurring character, Burt Hummel, the father of a student, on Glee.[3] The role lead to Entertainment Weekly's Tim Stack to say, "If Mike O'Malley doesn't win an Emmy for playing Burt Hummel, I will be sorely disappointed."[4] Chris Colfer, who plays Burt's son Kurt, has credited his off-screen relationship with O'Malley with improving the quality of their scenes together.[5]

Beginning in 2010, O'Malley portrayed a recurring character on Parenthood. He also hosted The World's Funniest Office Commercials in 2010. On July 8, 2010, O'Malley received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor – Comedy Series for playing Burt Hummel on Glee.[6] Prior to its second season, O'Malley was made a series regular on Glee.[7] On August 8, 2010, O'Malley won the Teen Choice Award for Best Parental Unit.[8] He returned to recurring guest star status for the show's third season.

Film

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O'Malley made his film debut in the 1998 film Deep Impact, playing Elijah Wood's astronomy teacher. He followed that with a supporting role in the comedy Pushing Tin. In 2000, he portrayed Oliver, a drug addict in rehab, in the film 28 Days. In 2005, O'Malley appeared in the film The Perfect Man. In 2007, he had supporting roles in Leatherheads and Meet Dave.

O'Malley was interviewed in the film City of Champions: The Best of Boston Sports.

In 2009, O'Malley participated in the American documentary film The People Speak. In the film, he performed in a segment with political activist Staceyann Chin.

O'Malley's feature work also includes roles in Eat Pray Love, Cedar Rapids, Concussion and Sully.

Writing and producing

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O'Malley is a playwright with two of his plays, Three Years from Thirty and Diverting Devotion, having been published and produced Off-Broadway. In 2003, a third play, Searching for Certainty was produced in Los Angeles.

He served as the director for the series finale episode of Yes, Dear, in which he starred.

He later wrote the screenplay for the film Certainty, which is based on Searching for Certainty. The film began production on May 24, 2010, directed by Peter Askin and produced by O'Malley, along with Will Battersby and Per Melita.[9] Certainty premiered at the Boston Film Festival on September 16, 2011, where it won the Best Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Ensemble Cast awards.[10]

He was also a writer and consulting producer on the Showtime comedy-drama series Shameless.[11][12]

O'Malley co-wrote the book for the musical Escape to Margaritaville featuring the songs of Jimmy Buffett with Greg Garcia. The show ran on Broadway from February to July 2018.

He created the Starz basketball comedy series Survivor's Remorse and serves as the show's writer and producer with his production company O'Malley Ink.[13] He is also an executive producer as well as the showrunner for the series Heels, with a recurring role as Charlie Gully, a rival wrestling promoter.[14][15][16]

Other media work

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Along with Anthony Clark, his Yes, Dear co-star, he appeared in Alan Jackson's 2005 music video for "The Talkin' Song Repair Blues".[17]

In 2007, O'Malley kept a blog on Yahoo! Sports, which followed the Boston Red Sox throughout their journey in the MLB playoffs, which was eventually capped off by their World Series title.

Personal life

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O'Malley resides in Los Angeles with his wife Lisa, who is a school psychologist.[2] They have three children.[18]

Kerry O'Malley, his younger sister, is an actress and Broadway veteran. The siblings co-starred in the first season of Snowpiercer.

A long time fan of Boston band Buffalo Tom, O'Malley is a close friend of lead singer Bill Janovitz. They have often supported causes together.[19][20] O'Malley requested that the band create a title song for his own short-lived television show The Mike O'Malley Show, as well as for the sitcom Yes, Dear which he co-starred on. According to O'Malley, his love of the band was shared with his wife and was "the glue" that kept them together during their long-distance relationship.[21]

O'Malley is a Boston Red Sox fan, and in May 2006, threw out the first pitch at a game in Fenway Park.[22] He is also an avid fan of the NHL's Boston Bruins and the NFL's New England Patriots.[23]

O'Malley returned to his graduating alma mater in 2006 to deliver the commencement speech to the university's 136th graduating class.[24] He also received an honorary degree.[25]

Acting credits

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Film

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Year Title Role
1998 Some Girl Dan
1998 Deep Impact Mike Perry
1998 Above Freezing Artie
1999 Pushing Tin Pete
2000 28 Days Oliver
2005 The Perfect Man Lenny Horton
2005 City of Champions: The Best of Boston Sports Himself
2007 On Broadway Father Rolie O'Toole
2008 Meet Dave Officer Knox
2008 Leatherheads Mickey
2009 The People Speak Himself
2010 Eat Pray Love Andy Shiraz
2011 Cedar Rapids Mike Pyle
2012 So Undercover Sam Morris
2013 3 Geezers! Mike
2013 R.I.P.D. Elliot
2014 A Good Marriage Bill Gaines
2015 Concussion Daniel Sullivan
2016 Sully Charles Porter
2019 3 Days with Dad Brick Deever
TBA Eenie Meanie

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1991 Law & Order New York Policeman #1 Episode: "The Torrents of Greed: Part 2"
1991 Get the Picture Host
1992–1995 Nickelodeon Guts Host Show renamed as Global Guts in 1995
1996–1997 Life with Roger Roger Hoyt 20 episodes
1997 Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing Storage facility manager Television film
1997–1998 Figure It Out Panelist Unknown episodes
1999 The Mike O'Malley Show Mike 14 episodes
2000–2002 Baby Blues Darryl MacPherson Voice, 13 episodes
2000–2006 Yes, Dear Jimmy Hughes 122 episodes
2006–2009 My Name Is Earl Stuart 13 episodes
2008 My Own Worst Enemy Tom Grady/Raymond Carter 9 episodes
2008 Pretty/Handsome Chip Fromme Television film
2009–2011 Glenn Martin, DDS Various Voice, 3 episodes
2009–2015 Glee Burt Hummel Main role (season 2); Recurring role (seasons 1, 3–6); 33 episodes
Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Parental Unit
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2011–12)
2010 Parenthood Jim Kazinsky 3 episodes
2011 Family Album Dave Bronsky Unsold TV pilot
2011 The Mighty B! Cop #1 Voice, episode: "YIPs"
2012 Parks and Recreation Bill Episode: "Bus Tour"
2013 Justified Nick "Nicky" Augustine 6 episodes
2013 Axe Cop Ray Voice, episode: "Taxi Cop"
2013 Behind the Candelabra Tracy Schnelker Television film
2013 Welcome to the Family Dr. Dan Yoder 11 episodes
2013–2014 Raising Hope Jimmy Hughes 2 episodes, Reprised his role from Yes, Dear
2014 BoJack Horseman Artie Voice, episode: "Live Fast, Diane Nguyen"
2016 Sanjay and Craig Himself Voice, episode: "G.U.T.S. Busters"
2016 Survivor's Remorse Figgy Episode: "Second Thoughts"
2018–2020 The Good Place The Doorman 4 episodes
2019 Wayne Principal Cole 5 episodes
2019 Get Shorty Detective Aaron Mischka 2 episodes
2019 The Morning Show Tim Eavers Episode: "The Pendulum Swings"
2020–2024 Snowpiercer Sam Roche Main role
2021–2023 Heels Charlie Gully Recurring role
2023–2024 Abbott Elementary Captain Robinson 3 episodes
2023 Grand Crew Zeb Jenkins Episode: "Wine & Honors"

Writing and producing credits

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Film

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Year Title Writer Producer Notes
2011 Certainty Yes Yes

Television

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Year Title Network Creator Writer Executive
Producer
Notes
1999 The Mike O'Malley Show NBC Yes Yes Yes
2012 Prodigy Bully Yes Yes Yes Unsold TV pilot
2011–13 Shameless Showtime No Yes No 5 episodes
2014–17 Survivor's Remorse Starz Yes Yes Yes 36 episodes
2021–23 Heels No Yes Yes 3 episodes
2023–24 Extended Family NBC Yes Yes Yes 2 episodes

Theatre

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References

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  1. ^ "Mike O'Malley Biography (1969–)". Filmreference.com. October 31, 1969. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Nollinger, Mark (September 29, 2011). "Getting the last laugh". TV Guide. pp. 28–30.
  3. ^ Burke, Bill (April 27, 2010). "Mike O'Malley's 'Glee'ful". Boston Herald. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  4. ^ Stack, Tim (May 25, 2010). "'Glee' instant reaction: Was the Lady Gaga episode its best yet?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  5. ^ Masters, Megan (April 27, 2010). "Glee's Chris Colfer: There's More Daddy Drama to Come". E! Online. NBCUniversal. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  6. ^ Rice, Lynette (July 8, 2010). "Emmys 2010: 'Glee, 'Mad Men' lead the nominations". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  7. ^ myFOXla.com (August 5, 2010). "Mike O'Malley on GDLA". Good Day L.A. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  8. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2010 – TV "Your Choice, Your Voice!"". Teen Choice Awards. Archived from the original on March 29, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  9. ^ Cox, Gordon (May 17, 2010). "'Certainty' heads into production". Variety. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  10. ^ "Mike O'Malley's 'Certainty' gets top honors". NECN. September 23, 2011. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  11. ^ "For Your Consideration: Mike O'Malley Talks Glee and Shameless". theTVaddict.com. June 10, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  12. ^ "Showtime Renews HOUSE OF LIES, SHAMELESS And CALIFORNICATION". seat42f.com. January 29, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  13. ^ "'Survivor's Remorse' Creator Mike O'Malley Talks LeBron James, Fight Scenes and 9 Other Emmy Contender Quickies". TheWrap. June 25, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  14. ^ "Behind the scenes of 'Heels' with Michael Waldron & Mike O'Malley". Slam Wrestling. August 15, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  15. ^ "Michael Waldron & Mike O'Malley Interview: Heels". ScreenRant. August 15, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  16. ^ "Mike O'Malley Comedy Starring Jon Cryer, Donald Faison & Abigail Spencer Lands NBC Series Order". September 29, 2022.
  17. ^ "Superstar Alan Jackson Revs Up 'The Talkin' Song Repair Blues' with New Video". Top 40 Charts. April 21, 2005.
  18. ^ Shanahan, Mark (July 22, 2010). "The everyman". The Boston Globe. Christopher M. Mayer. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  19. ^ "Cover of the Week 54 and Part II of the Miami Saga". Bill Janovitz, Part Time Man of Rock. November 16, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  20. ^ "Buffalo Tom – and one superfan – celebrate 25 years of rock". The Boston Globe. November 18, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  21. ^ "Mike O'Malley on Buffalo Tom". Grantland. November 23, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  22. ^ "Yankees back in town". The Boston Globe. May 22, 2006. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  23. ^ Beggy, Carol (January 31, 2004). "LOYALTY TO PATS WEARS ON O'MALLEY; ROONEY POPS OFF". Boston Globe.
  24. ^ O'Malley, Mike (May 20, 2006). "University of New Hampshire Commencement 2006 Remarks". unh.edu. Archived from the original on March 20, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  25. ^ McNamara, Eileen (May 7, 2006). "Honorary senselessness". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
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