Soap Opera History

William H. Macy Facts: Celebrities Who Started On Soaps

Published by

Shado Saeyang

5 years ago

William H Macy is currently best known for playing Frank Gallagher on the hit show Shameless, but the actor has appeared in a number of other projects including ER, Boogie Nights, Fargo, Magnolia, and Seabiscuit. But did you know he also started on soaps? He appeared on NBC’s Another World.

Not to mention, Macy has also been nominated for a number of awards thanks to his prolific career. From where he was born to the iconic voice role he almost landed, here are five fast facts about the successful actor.

Who Is William H. Macy?

Macy was born on March 13 in Miami, Florida, but he grew up in both Georgia and Maryland. Macy graduated from high school in Maryland and attended Bethany College in West Virginia. He then transferred to Goddard College in Vermont where he studied theater under Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet. He then moved to New York City to study theater at HB Studio.

Soap Beginnings
Macy’s first television role was on the NBC soap Another World in 1982, as the character of Frank Fisk. The cast at that time included other such luminaries as Jennifer Runyon, Kyra Sedgwick, and James Eckhouse.

Awards Machine
Macy has been nominated for 14 Primetime Emmy Awards throughout his career, picking up two. Though he was nominated five times for his work on Shameless, he actually won both Emmys for his work in the limited series, Door to Door. Macy has also won four Screen Actors Guild Awards and has been nominated for an Academy Award for his work in Fargo.

The Fish That Got Away

Macy has done a lot of voice work throughout his career, which is why he was the first choice to play Nemo’s father, Marlin, in Finding Nemo. However, the role ended up going to Albert Brooks instead.

Getting Personal With William H. Macy
Macy was first married to film producer Carla Santos Shamberg from 1980 to 1985. He then started dating actress Felicity Huffman on-and-off for 15 years, but the couple finally tied the knot in 1997. They have two daughters, 18-year-old Sophia Grace, and 17-year-old Georgia Grace.