Jeff McCracken
Encyclopedia
Jeff McCracken is an American actor, director, and producer.
After studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City
he began his acting career on Broadway
and off-Broadway
, including Circle Repertory Company
where he originated roles in new works by Lanford Wilson
and Beth Henley
, as well as leading roles in feature films and television.
As a director he has helmed over seventy episodes of television that include NYPD Blue
, Boy Meets World
, Dinosaurs
and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
He co-produced the feature film Quiz Show
that was directed by Robert Redford
and which won the New York Film Critics Award for Best Picture as well as being nominated for an Academy Award. He was executive producer of the independent feature film One Cup of Coffee which won the Audience Award for Best Picture at the Sundance Film Festival
before being distributed by Miramax Films
as Pastime.
McCracken is currently an associate professor at Chapman University
.
Jeff married Janet McCracken after six months of knowing her, and together they have three children, one is a yoga instructor, another is in the army, and the youngest is at NYU.
After studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
he began his acting career on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
and off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
, including Circle Repertory Company
Circle Repertory Company
The Circle Repertory Company, originally named the Circle Theater Company, was a theatre company in New York City that ran from 1969 to 1996. It was founded on July 14, 1969, in Manhattan, in a second floor loft at Broadway and 83rd Street by director Marshall W...
where he originated roles in new works by Lanford Wilson
Lanford Wilson
Lanford Wilson was an American playwright who helped to advance the Off-Off-Broadway theater movement. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1980, was elected in 2001 to the Theater Hall of Fame, and in 2004 was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters...
and Beth Henley
Beth Henley
Elizabeth Becker "Beth" Henley is an American dramatist and actress. She writes primarily about women's issues and family in the Southern United States. She is also a screenwriter who has written many film adaptations of her plays...
, as well as leading roles in feature films and television.
As a director he has helmed over seventy episodes of television that include NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
, Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the...
, Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs (TV series)
Dinosaurs is an American family sitcom that was originally broadcast on ABC from April 26, 1991 to July 20, 1994. The show, about a family of anthropomorphic dinosaurs, was produced by Michael Jacobs Productions and Jim Henson Television in association with Walt Disney Television and Buena Vista...
and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
He co-produced the feature film Quiz Show
Quiz Show
Quiz Show is a 1994 American historical drama film produced and directed by Robert Redford. Adapted by Paul Attanasio from Richard Goodwin's memoir Remembering America, the film is based upon the Twenty One quiz show scandal of the 1950s...
that was directed by Robert Redford
Robert Redford
Charles Robert Redford, Jr. , better known as Robert Redford, is an American actor, film director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival. He has received two Oscars: one in 1981 for directing Ordinary People, and one for Lifetime...
and which won the New York Film Critics Award for Best Picture as well as being nominated for an Academy Award. He was executive producer of the independent feature film One Cup of Coffee which won the Audience Award for Best Picture at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
before being distributed by Miramax Films
Miramax Films
Miramax Films is an American entertainment company known for distributing independent and foreign films. For its first 14 years the company was privately owned by its founders, Bob and Harvey Weinstein...
as Pastime.
McCracken is currently an associate professor at Chapman University
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
.
Jeff married Janet McCracken after six months of knowing her, and together they have three children, one is a yoga instructor, another is in the army, and the youngest is at NYU.