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Michael McGrady          

Motivational Speaker, Theater, Film & Television Actor; Best Known for "Ray Donovan"

Michael Steven McGrady is an actor, artist, musician, and motivational speaker. Utilizing his wide-ranging career path and rich life experiences, McGrady is a sought after speaker addressing issues of thriving after surviving; life/work balance; ‘character’ ethics at work in personal growth and goal setting as well as mentorship in the acting profession and beyond.

Born to George and Gloria McGrady with Irish, British, German and French heritage, McGrady was raised in the Washington state area of the Pacific Northwest and studied Business Administration at The University of Washington, with plans to attend law school. However, after overcoming a life-changing bout with malignant melanoma at the age of 19 - the same cancer that took his father's life only one year earlier – with an uncertain health future, he decided to leave university for a leap of faith and pursued his passion of an acting career. With his sister Shari's prompting and support, $180 cash and a backpack, McGrady moved to Los Angeles in 1983 and never looked back.

McGrady quickly rose through the ranks of working actors to become a prominent mainstay in Hollywood, working steadily for over 30 years in the top tier television programs of the 80's and 90's, as well as supporting role performances in studio films such those with Academy Award winners James Woods and Lou Gossett Jr (Diggstown), Kevin Cosner (Wyatt Earp), Oscar nominee, Michelle Pfeiffer in Deep End of The Ocean as well as several independent films such as Rage, with Oscar winner, Nicholas Cage.

A prolific actor, McGrady can be recognized as Captain Herrington on CBS' "Seal Team." Other notable credits include: NBC's, "Chicago PD;" critically acclaimed FX event series and Emmy winner, "American Crime Story: The People Vs. OJ," Showtime's Emmy nominated series "Ray Donovan," as well as NBC's Emmy winning television series, "Southland" as Detective Daniel "Sal" Salinger.

Well known as a stage, film and screen actor, McGrady is also founder of the successful Actors Workshop in Los Angeles, addressing the acting profession from both behind and in front of the camera as well as an accomplished fine artist with his work currently represented in several galleries across the country.

When not filming, McGrady can be found with his wife, Ilka at the McGrady Fine Art gallery or performing with his band, Michael McGrady's Sonic Groove Band in and around the Los Angeles area. You might also spot him outdoors sailing, surfing, riding his Harley or soaring his hang glider above the mountains of beautiful Santa Barbara.

He spends his time in Thousand Oaks, California and at his vacation home in the beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington state.

Speech Topics


Be a Thriver not just a Survivor

Michael McGrady speaks on overcoming obstacles, cancer, and other health challenges. Cancer is not a death sentence, it is a LIFE sentence - the ultimate wake-up call. As a cancer survivor, McGrady has a thorough and empathic understanding of what the battle with cancer looks and feels like. He shares his journey of not only surviving the potential death sentence of cancer, but also learning how to use it to thrive in life.

Achieve things you didn't think possible without the power of a cancer diagnosis.

The Actors Workshop

Practical advice and teaching on the acting profession. What does it take to be a professional actor. The pre-flight checklist: A failproof method of approaching your work as an actor and an effective means of breaking down scenes for auditions, entire movies or television roles, and plays. Get the role and rock it!

McGrady founded and ran the successful Actors Workshop in Los Angeles for 14 years and speaks to the acting profession from both behind and in front of the camera.

Michael McGrady: Other Popular Speaking Topics

  • Overcoming Adversity
  • Beating The Odds
  • Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
  • Setting and Accomplishing Value-Driven Goals
  • Fatherhood
  • Motivation & Goal Setting

News


Life After Melanoma: Michael McGrady Seeks to Inspire Survivors with His Story
In a talk to people affected by melanoma, actor Michael McGrady described reassessing his values after cancer and how it changed the course of his life.

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