Michael McGrady

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.