Mike MacDonald

:"This article is about the comedian. For other persons with the same name, see Michael MacDonald."

Infobox Comedian


name = Mike MacDonald
imagesize = 181 × 220 pixels
caption = Mike MacDonald
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birth_place = Metz, France
death_date =
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medium = stand-up
nationality = Canadian
genre = Satire, Observational comedy
active =
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notable_work= Mike MacDonald; On Target My House! My Rules! Happy As I Can Be

Mike MacDonald is a Canadian stand-up comedian and actor. He has written and/or starred in many movies, including "Mr. Nice Guy". In addition to his successful and well received live performances all over North America, MacDonald has appeared in such TV shows as "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Arsenio Hall Show".cite web | title=Mike MacDonald (Stand Up Comedian) |work= Mike MacDonald (Stand Up Comedian)|url= http://www.corporateentertainers.ca/mikemacdonald.htm |accessdate=2008-01-27]

Early life

As the son of a career Canadian Air Force officer, MacDonald spent the first 15 years of his life on military bases throughout France, West Germany and Canada. He was born in Metz, France. He learned at an early age that humor would make him popular. When his father retired from the military, his family settled in Ottawa, where Mike attended Brookfield High School.

tarting out

After high school, MacDonald, who was an accomplished drummer, toured Canada with a rock group sponsored by the Canadian government. The tour ended and he returned to Ottawa. MacDonald spent the next few years in various jobs including drive-in restaurant employee, ballroom dance instructor, and teacher's aide for mentally handicapped children. Finally, in 1978 at the age of 23, MacDonald began to frequent clubs where he could try his own kind of stand-up comedy. MacDonald later moved to Toronto, where he began to perform throughout the city on a regular basis. As his reputation grew, job offers did as well. MacDonald quit his day job so he could make comedy his sole living. He began to perform throughout Canada and made frequent forays into the United States.

tandup comedy career

MacDonald has had many successful and well received live performances all over North America. In addition, he has appeared on numerous TV shows including "Late Night With David Letterman", "The Arsenio Hall Show", "Just For Laughs", Showtime's "Comedy Club All-Star Show", A&E's "An Evening At The Improv", and Comedy Central's "The A List". cite web | title=Mike MacDonald |work= Mike MacDonald |url= http://www.hahaha.com/en/2007/festival/comedian/macdonald-mike.html |accessdate=2008-01-27] .cite web | title=Mike MacDonald Award-Winning Comedian |work= Mike MacDonald Award-Winning Comedian|url= http://www.speakers.ca/macdonald_mike.aspx |accessdate=2008-01-27] . His popularity continues to soar in both the US and Canada. He has hosted both the Gemini Awards and the Just For Laughs 10th Anniversary Special for the CBC. MacDonald also holds the distinction of being the only comedian to perform at each and every Just For Laughs gala show. cite web | title=Mike MacDonald |work= Mike MacDonald |url= http://www.hahaha.com/en/2007/festival/comedian/macdonald-mike.html |accessdate=2008-01-27]

MacDonald has starred in three well received specials for the CBC in Canada and for Showtime in the US. His first special, "Mike MacDonald; On Target" was the very first one hour prime time special by a stand-up comic in the history of the CBC. This success led to MacDonald’s next special, "My House! My Rules!" This special won its prime time slot when it aired in Canada. It also was nominated for two Gemini Awards. The Showtime version of "My House! My Rules!" was nominated for two CableACE Awards, "Best Comedy Special" and "Best Writing in a Comedy Special". His third Showtime special, called “Happy As I Can Be”, was originally slated as a half-hour show. When executives saw the footage, they immediately expanded it to an hour. “Happy As I Can Be” in its one hour format also achieved a number 1 rating when it aired in prime time in Canada on the CBC.

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0531856|name=Mike MacDonald
* [http://www.corporateentertainers.ca/mikemacdonald.htm Mike MacDonald (Stand Up Comedian)]
* [http://www.speakers.ca/macdonald_mike.aspx Mike MacDonald Award-Winning Comedian]
* [http://www.hahaha.com/en/2007/festival/comedian/macdonald-mike.html Just For Laughs Bio]