Adam McKay

Adam McKay (born April 17, 1968) is an American film and television director, producer, screenwriter, and comedian. McKay began his career in the 1990s as a head writer for the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live for two seasons and is the co-founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade. He rose to fame in the 2000s for his collaborations with comedian Will Ferrell and co-wrote his comedy films Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and The Other Guys. Ferrell and McKay later co-wrote and co-produced numerous television series and films, and produced their comedy website Funny or Die through their company Gary Sanchez Productions. Venturing into more dramatic territory in the 2010s, McKay's The Big Short was the first film he directed without Ferrell in the cast. For this film, he was nominated for several awards including two Academy Awards, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay (with co-writer Charles Randolph), and two British Academy Film Awards, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. He and Randolph won Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards, the BAFTA Film Awards, and the WGA Awards. For his work on the Dick Cheney biographical film Vice, McKay received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. In 2019, McKay founded Hyperobject Industries.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

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With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Steve Carell  •  Paul Rudd  •  Christina Applegate

With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Steve Carell  •  Paul Rudd  •  Christina Applegate

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

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It's the 1970s and San Diego anchorman Ron Burgundy is the top dog in local TV, but that's all about to change when ambitious reporter Veronica Corningstone arrives as a new employee at his station.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Christina Applegate  •  Paul Rudd  •  David Koechner

It's the 1970s and San Diego anchorman Ron Burgundy is the top dog in local TV, but that's all about to change when ambitious reporter Veronica Corningstone arrives as a new employee at his station.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Christina Applegate  •  Paul Rudd  •  David Koechner

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

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The fastest man on four wheels, Ricky Bobby is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. A big, hairy American winning machine, Ricky has everything a dimwitted daredevil could want, a luxurious mansion, a smokin' hot wife and all the fast food he can eat. But ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  John C. Reilly  •  Gary Cole  •  Austin Crim

The fastest man on four wheels, Ricky Bobby is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. A big, hairy American winning machine, Ricky has everything a dimwitted daredevil could want, a luxurious mansion, a smokin' hot wife and all the fast food he can eat. But ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  John C. Reilly  •  Gary Cole  •  Austin Crim

Good Cop, Baby Cop (2007)

A man is who has shot people is being beat up by a baby cop named Angel  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Chris Henchy  •  Adam McKay  •  Pearl McKay  •  Will Ferrell

A man is who has shot people is being beat up by a baby cop named Angel  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Chris Henchy  •  Adam McKay  •  Pearl McKay  •  Will Ferrell

The Other Guys (2010)

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Unlike their heroic counterparts on the force, desk-bound NYPD detectives Gamble and Hoitz garner no headlines as they work day to day. When a seemingly minor case turns out to be a big deal, the two cops get the opportunity to finally prove to their comrades that ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Mark Wahlberg  •  Eva Mendes  •  Samuel L. Jackson

Unlike their heroic counterparts on the force, desk-bound NYPD detectives Gamble and Hoitz garner no headlines as they work day to day. When a seemingly minor case turns out to be a big deal, the two cops get the opportunity to finally prove to their comrades that ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Mark Wahlberg  •  Eva Mendes  •  Samuel L. Jackson

Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie (2004)

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While Ron Burgundy's rivalry with Veronica Corningstone escalates quickly, a group of unprofessional thieves better known as 'The Alarm Clock' try to make the truth known, whatever that may mean...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Christina Applegate  •  Paul Rudd  •  Steve Carell

While Ron Burgundy's rivalry with Veronica Corningstone escalates quickly, a group of unprofessional thieves better known as 'The Alarm Clock' try to make the truth known, whatever that may mean...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Christina Applegate  •  Paul Rudd  •  Steve Carell

Step Brothers (2008)

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Brennan Huff and Dale Doback might be grown men. But that doesn't stop them from living at home and turning into jealous, competitive stepbrothers when their single parents marry. Brennan's constant competition with Dale strains his mom's marriage to Dale's dad, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  John C. Reilly  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Richard Jenkins

Brennan Huff and Dale Doback might be grown men. But that doesn't stop them from living at home and turning into jealous, competitive stepbrothers when their single parents marry. Brennan's constant competition with Dale strains his mom's marriage to Dale's dad, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  John C. Reilly  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Richard Jenkins

A.C. Green: Iron Virgin (2016)

He played in a record 1,192 consecutive NBA games. As a power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, he won two NBA championships. But what made A.C. Green even more distinctive was the courage of his convictions. As this ESPN 30 for 30 Short points out, Green was a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Isaac Feder
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  A. C. Green  •  Adam McKay  •  Louis Gossett Jr.

He played in a record 1,192 consecutive NBA games. As a power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, he won two NBA championships. But what made A.C. Green even more distinctive was the courage of his convictions. As this ESPN 30 for 30 Short points out, Green was a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Isaac Feder
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  A. C. Green  •  Adam McKay  •  Louis Gossett Jr.

The Big Short (2015)

The men who made millions from a global economic meltdown.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Christian Bale  •  Steve Carell  •  Ryan Gosling  •  Brad Pitt

The men who made millions from a global economic meltdown.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Christian Bale  •  Steve Carell  •  Ryan Gosling  •  Brad Pitt

This Is Comedy (2014)

A documentary about the comedy director and producer Judd Apatow.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jacky Goldberg
CAST:  Judd Apatow  •  Paul Feig  •  Adam McKay  •  Lena Dunham

A documentary about the comedy director and producer Judd Apatow.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jacky Goldberg
CAST:  Judd Apatow  •  Paul Feig  •  Adam McKay  •  Lena Dunham

The Procedure (2007)

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Christopher is under a lot of stress at work and decides to undergo a surgical procedure that makes you listen to your favorite song all the time.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Willem Dafoe  •  Andy Richter  •  Ana Gasteyer

Christopher is under a lot of stress at work and decides to undergo a surgical procedure that makes you listen to your favorite song all the time.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Willem Dafoe  •  Andy Richter  •  Ana Gasteyer

The Landlord (2007)

An angry landlord hassles her behind-in-rent tenant.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay  •  Drew Antzis
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Adam McKay  •  Pearl McKay

An angry landlord hassles her behind-in-rent tenant.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay  •  Drew Antzis
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Adam McKay  •  Pearl McKay

Hal (2019)

Hal Ashby's obsessive genius led to an unprecedented string of Oscar®-winning classics, including Harold and Maude, Shampoo and Being There. But as contemporaries Coppola, Scorsese and Spielberg rose to blockbuster stardom in the 1980s, Ashby's uncompromising ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Amy Scott
CAST:  Hal Ashby  •  Jane Fonda  •  Jon Voight  •  Lee Grant

Hal Ashby's obsessive genius led to an unprecedented string of Oscar®-winning classics, including Harold and Maude, Shampoo and Being There. But as contemporaries Coppola, Scorsese and Spielberg rose to blockbuster stardom in the 1980s, Ashby's uncompromising ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Amy Scott
CAST:  Hal Ashby  •  Jane Fonda  •  Jon Voight  •  Lee Grant

Thank You, Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon (2015)

Del Close was never a household name, but any comedy enthusiast is aware of his impact. From Bill Murray to Chris Farley to Amy Poehler, many of the most famous comedians consider him their mentor. Fifteen years after Del Close’s death, thousands of Improv students ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Todd Bieber
CAST:  Amy Poehler  •  Matt Walsh  •  Del Close  •  Bill Murray

Del Close was never a household name, but any comedy enthusiast is aware of his impact. From Bill Murray to Chris Farley to Amy Poehler, many of the most famous comedians consider him their mentor. Fifteen years after Del Close’s death, thousands of Improv students ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Todd Bieber
CAST:  Amy Poehler  •  Matt Walsh  •  Del Close  •  Bill Murray

Vice (2018)

George W. Bush picks Dick Cheney, the CEO of Halliburton Co., to be his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney's impressive résumé includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and Defense ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Christian Bale  •  Amy Adams  •  Sam Rockwell  •  Steve Carell

George W. Bush picks Dick Cheney, the CEO of Halliburton Co., to be his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney's impressive résumé includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and Defense ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Christian Bale  •  Amy Adams  •  Sam Rockwell  •  Steve Carell

Green Team (2007)

McKay, Ferrell and Reilly form a Green Team to save our polluted environment.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Adam McKay  •  John C. Reilly  •  Will Ferrell

McKay, Ferrell and Reilly form a Green Team to save our polluted environment.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Adam McKay  •  John C. Reilly  •  Will Ferrell

Don't Look Up (2021)

Two American astronomers attempt to warn humankind about an approaching comet that will wipe out life on planet Earth.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Leonardo DiCaprio  •  Jennifer Lawrence  •  Meryl Streep  •  Cate Blanchett

Two American astronomers attempt to warn humankind about an approaching comet that will wipe out life on planet Earth.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST:  Leonardo DiCaprio  •  Jennifer Lawrence  •  Meryl Streep  •  Cate Blanchett

Bad Blood

Entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes creates a bio-tech company that skyrockets her to fame with an estimated value in the billions, but when federal agencies begin investigating the company, her integrity is called into doubt.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST: 

Entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes creates a bio-tech company that skyrockets her to fame with an estimated value in the billions, but when federal agencies begin investigating the company, her integrity is called into doubt.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam McKay
CAST: 

For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close (2020)

Comedy guru Del Close, mentor to everyone from Bill Murray to Tina Fey, sets out to write his autobiography for D.C. Comics. As he leads us through sewers, mental wards, and his peculiar talent for making everyone famous but himself, Close emerges as a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Heather Ross
CAST:  Adam McKay  •  Ike Barinholtz  •  Lauren Lapkus  •  Tim Meadows

Comedy guru Del Close, mentor to everyone from Bill Murray to Tina Fey, sets out to write his autobiography for D.C. Comics. As he leads us through sewers, mental wards, and his peculiar talent for making everyone famous but himself, Close emerges as a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Heather Ross
CAST:  Adam McKay  •  Ike Barinholtz  •  Lauren Lapkus  •  Tim Meadows

Brad Pitt: More Than a Pretty Face (2022)

Brad Pitt is a singular actor in Hollywood's glamorous world, breaking through his "playboy image" and embodying American cinema's renewal. At the beginning there was a humble Midwestern aware of being a smokescreen for the illusions of his time, who has managed to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Thibaut Sève  •  Adrien Dénouette
CAST:  Brad Pitt  •  David Fincher  •  Quentin Tarantino  •  Ridley Scott

Brad Pitt is a singular actor in Hollywood's glamorous world, breaking through his "playboy image" and embodying American cinema's renewal. At the beginning there was a humble Midwestern aware of being a smokescreen for the illusions of his time, who has managed to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Thibaut Sève  •  Adrien Dénouette
CAST:  Brad Pitt  •  David Fincher  •  Quentin Tarantino  •  Ridley Scott