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Who is Bruce McGill?
Bruce McGill was born on 11 July 1950, in San Antonio, Texas, USA. He’s an American actor who has amassed an impressive body of work over more than four decades, with more than 160 acting credits tied to his name. He’s appeared in numerous films, including “Animal House”, “The Insider”, “Collateral”, and “Lincoln”. Bruce has also made notable television appearances in shows such as “MacGyver”, “Law & Order”, and “Rizzoli & Isles”. His deep, commanding voice and strong on-screen presence have made him a recognizable character actor.
Early Life and Education
Bruce spent his early years developing an appreciation for the performing arts. His mother, Adriel Rose Jacobs, was an artist, while his father, Woodrow Wilson McGill, was an insurance and real estate agent. As a child, Bruce would often find himself immersed in his mother’s art studio, observing her craft.
Bruce attended Douglas MacArthur High School in San Antonio, where he discovered his passion for theatre. Following his matriculation, Bruce enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Drama in 1971. He further honed his craft at the Dallas Theater Center and eventually made the move to New York City to begin his professional acting career.
Roles in Movies
While Bruce was making his mark on television, he was also building a stellar career in film. His first movie role was in the 1977 comedy-drama “Citizens Band”, directed by Jonathan Demme, then Bruce made his breakthrough in the following year, as D-Day in the comedy “National Lampoon’s Animal House”, which remains one of his most memorable performances. His motorcycle-riding, tough-guy persona added a layer of coolness to the film, and gave him a status as a recognizable face in Hollywood.
His success continued in the 1980s with roles in notable films such as “Silkwood” (1983) and “Wildcats” (1986). In 1994, Bruce gained widespread recognition for his role as Matuzak in the sci-fi blockbuster “Timecop”, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Bruce McGill had surgery prior to shooting this incredible courtroom scene in THE INSIDER & he straight-up ripped his stitches during his performance pic.twitter.com/cg1PHvnw8e
— priscilla page (@BBW_BFF) July 19, 2018
In the 1999 drama “The Insider”, Bruce delivered a powerful performance as Ron Motley, a real-life trial lawyer. Based on a true story, the film explored the tobacco industry’s secrets, and the efforts of a whistleblower.
Bruce further demonstrated his versatility in the crime thriller “Collateral” (2004), directed by Michael Mann. In the film, Bruce played a detective named Frank Pedrosa, who becomes entangled in a cat-and-mouse game with a hitman, portrayed by Tom Cruise. His performance contributed to the film’s gripping tension, and earned him praise for his ability to bring depth to his character.
The 2000s also saw Bruce take on roles in popular films such as “The Legend of Bagger Vance” (2000), “Legally Blonde 2” (2003), and “Vantage Point” (2008).
In Steven Spielberg’s historical drama “Lincoln” (2012), he took on the role of Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. Another notable film role for McGill was in the biographical drama “Ride Along” (2014), playing Lt. Brooks, a seasoned police officer and mentor to the film’s protagonist, portrayed by Ice Cube.
In 2019, Bruce appeared in another critically-acclaimed biographical drama “The Best of Enemies”, based on the life story of Ann Atwater (played by Taraji P. Henson), a Civil rights activist who fought against the Ku Klux Klan.
In the 2021 sports movie “American Underdog”, he portrayed the baseball legend, Jim Foster. Bruce’s most recent film role was in the 2022 thriller drama “Buried in Barstow”, directed by Howard Deutch and Hiro Koda.
Roles in TV Series
Bruce’s television career began in the late 1970s. His breakthrough came in the late 1979 when he landed a lead role in the drama series “Delta House” as Daniel Simpson Day, better known as D-Day, a character he reprised from the film “Animal House”.
Another standout role for Bruce was in the hit crime procedural “MacGyver” (1986 – 1992). He played Jack Dalton, a charismatic and resourceful ex-military operative and best friend to the main character, Angus MacGyver, portrayed by Richard Dean Anderson.
Bruce continued to find success in television throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s, notably as Hal Kempner in “Black Tie Affair”, Willard Cates in “Wolf Lake”, and Weird Ernie in “Quantum Leap”.
From 2010 through 2016, Bruce starred as Detective Vince Korsak in the police procedural series “Rizzoli & Isles“, further solidifying his status as a household name in American television. The show is based on the eponymous novel series by Tess Gerritsen, and follows the lives of two best friends, Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles, who work together to solve complex murder cases in Boston, Massachusetts. Bruce’s performance was critically acclaimed, and his character’s chemistry with the rest of the cast became a significant part of the series’ success.
In 2018, he appeared alongside Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta in nine episodes of another procedural drama, “Shades of Blue”. More recently, in 2022, Bruce played Mayor Grover Teale in the successful debut season of the action crime drama “Reacher”, based on a series of novels by Lee Child. In the following year, he appeared in three episodes of the HBO limited true crime series “Love & Death”, starring Elizabeth Olsen, Jessie Plemons, and Lily Rabe.
Love life and Relationships
Bruce’s personal life has been as successful and fulfilling as his professional career. He is married to Gloria Lee. The couple tied the knot in 1994 and have since led a life largely away from the limelight, preferring to keep their relationship private; they don’t have children.
Hobbies and Interesting Facts
Away from the screen, Bruce is an avid music enthusiast. He learned to play the guitar during his teenage years, and his love for music continues to this day. He’s even showcased his guitar skills on screen in various roles.
Additionally, Bruce is an avid golfer, often participating in charity tournaments.
Bruce’s voice is another fascinating aspect of his talent. He’s known for his distinct, resonant voice, which he has lent to several documentaries and audiobooks.
Net Worth
Bruce’s successful acting career spanning over four decades in both film and television has resulted in a substantial net worth, which as of July 2023, is estimated to be around $4 million, a testament to his talent, hard work, and consistent success in the demanding world of acting.
