Adam McKay
Born 1968 · Age 57
American screenwriter, producer, director and comedian. Began as an SNL writer and head writer, co-created major comedies with Will Ferrell, founded Gary Sanchez Productions and Funny or Die, later pivoted to satirical/dramatic films (The Big Short, Vice, Don't Look Up) and founded Hyperobject Industries. Active in climate activism and podcasting.
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Life & Career Timeline
Parents divorced
McKay's parents divorced when he was seven; he was raised by his mother in Worcester, MA and later Malvern, PA.
Graduated Great Valley High School
Graduated from Great Valley High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Enrolled at Pennsylvania State University
Attended Penn State University for approximately one year before transferring.
Transferred to Temple University (English major)
Transferred to Temple University and majored in English; later dropped out a semester-and-a-half before graduating.
Dropped out of Temple University (approximate)
Left Temple about a semester-and-a-half before earning his bachelor's degree (estimated year based on attendance).
Studied improv with Del Close / ImprovOlympic
Studied under Del Close and performed at ImprovOlympic (dates approximate, early career in Chicago improv scene).
Founding member of Upright Citizens Brigade (approx.)
Named as one of the founding members of Upright Citizens Brigade improv group (founding-year not given in text; year here is an estimate).
Joined Second City touring/mainstage (approx.)
Performed with Second City Touring Company and later moved to the Second City mainstage; performed in the 80th revue Piñata Full of Bees (date estimated).
Hired as a writer at Saturday Night Live (SNL)
Submitted scripts, was hired as an SNL writer after auditioning to be an on-screen performer but not making the cut.
Promoted to SNL head writer
Within a year at SNL he became head writer at age 28; held the position until 1999.
Married Shira Piven
Married film and television director Shira Piven in 1999; the couple later had two daughters.
Stopped being SNL head writer
Ended tenure as SNL head writer in 1999 but remained a writer for two more years.
Diagnosed with essential tremor (approx. year 2000)
Around 2000 McKay was diagnosed with essential tremor, a neurological condition that causes shaking of hands and affects interviews and public appearances.
Credited as 'Coordinator of Falconry' at SNL (final years)
In his final two years at SNL (approx. 1999–2001) he earned the honorific credit 'Coordinator of Falconry'.
Left SNL as regular writer
Departed Saturday Night Live in 2001 after six years with the show.
Collaborative partnership with Will Ferrell (ongoing)
By this time had an established writing/directing/producing partnership with Will Ferrell, leading to multiple film collaborations.
Directed and co-wrote Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Anchorman (2004) marked a breakout film collaboration with Will Ferrell; McKay directed and co-wrote.
Released Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie
Directed and co-wrote the companion/alternate film 'Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie' composed of outtakes and deleted scenes.
Directed Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Co-wrote and directed the Will Ferrell comedy Talladega Nights (2006).
Founded Gary Sanchez Productions (with Will Ferrell)
McKay and Will Ferrell established Gary Sanchez Productions (text places the founding around 2006).
Launched Funny or Die (with Will Ferrell)
Launched the user-submitted comedy video site Funny or Die; produced viral videos such as 'The Landlord' featuring McKay's daughter Pearl.
Funny or Die viral hits ('The Landlord', 'Good Cop, Baby Cop')
'The Landlord' (2007) and 'Good Cop, Baby Cop' featured McKay's daughter Pearl and became viral moments for the Funny or Die site.
Directed Step Brothers
Directed and co-wrote Step Brothers (2008) starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.
Produced multiple films (2009)
Executive produced films including Land of the Lost and The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009).
Produced television series and web content
Co-produced HBO's Eastbound & Down and web series/content through Gary Sanchez/Funny or Die (ongoing producing work).
Directed and co-wrote The Other Guys
Wrote, directed, produced and cameoed in The Other Guys (2010) with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.
Wrote/re-wrote Ant-Man (uncredited/credited work)
Rewrote Ant-Man (2015) script and was in talks to direct before declining out of respect for Edgar Wright; later contributed to Ant-Man and the Wasp story work.
Wrote/co-wrote and produced films (2012)
One of the writers for The Campaign (2012) and produced films such as Casa de Mi Padre, Bachelorette, Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie and The Campaign.
Directed episode 'Chapter 5' of Eastbound & Down
Directed an episode of Eastbound & Down (series produced/co-produced by McKay).
Directed Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Directed and co-wrote Anchorman 2 (2013) and directed TV movie documentary Lifecasters (2013).
Hosted 'Surprisingly Awesome' podcast (start)
Began hosting the science/comedy podcast 'Surprisingly Awesome' in November 2015 (produced by Gimlet Media).
Produced 'Daddy's Home' (2015)
Produced Daddy's Home (2015), reuniting The Other Guys stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg; film directed by Sean Anders.
Hosted 'Surprisingly Awesome' podcast (launch)
Launched and hosted the science/comedy podcast 'Surprisingly Awesome' with Adam Davidson (Nov 2015); hosted until Oct 2016.
Released The Big Short (limited release)
Directed and co-wrote The Big Short (adaptation of Michael Lewis' book) — limited release Dec 11, 2015; wide release Dec 23, 2015.
Attached to Irredeemable (comic adaptation)
Reportedly attached to direct 'Irredeemable' (Mark Waid comic) in 2016.
Won BAFTA and Critics' Choice (The Big Short)
Won BAFTA for Adapted Screenplay and Critics' Choice Award for The Big Short screenplay; also received the USC Scripter Award (2016).
USC Scripter Award (with Charles Randolph)
McKay and Charles Randolph received the USC Scripter Award in 2016 for The Big Short screenplay.
Legendary wins 'Bad Blood' auction (Jennifer Lawrence/Adam McKay package)
June 2016 reports: Legendary Pictures won the auction rights to the proposed Jennifer Lawrence–Adam McKay Theranos biopic 'Bad Blood' (project in development).
Won Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (The Big Short)
Won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (shared with Charles Randolph) for The Big Short; also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture.
Began development on Dick Cheney biopic (Backseat / Vice)
In November 2016 began development of the Cheney project (initially titled Backseat), later retitled Vice.
Suffered a heart attack while filming Vice
McKay had a heart attack in 2018 while filming Vice; credits his quick response (from research) and Christian Bale/Cheney scenes for awareness that led him to hospital quickly.
Directed 'Winning Time' episode and cast John C. Reilly
Worked on Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022 series) and cast John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss (casting later cited as a reason for split with Ferrell).
Released Vice
Directed, wrote and produced Vice (2018), starring Christian Bale as Dick Cheney; released Dec 25, 2018 by Annapurna Pictures.
Reason for Gary Sanchez split publicly revealed
In Nov 2021 reports revealed the split was related to McKay casting John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss on Winning Time — a role Ferrell coveted; the revelation about the cause came later but references a 2019 split.
Founded Hyperobject Industries
Launched Hyperobject Industries (production company) in 2019; later secured first-look deals with HBO (TV) and Paramount (features).
Produced Succession pilot (executive producer) and directed episode later
McKay produced the HBO series Succession (directed its pilot and directed episode 'Celebration'); he served as executive producer on the series through 2018–2023.
Vice receives 8 Academy Award nominations
Vice received eight nominations at the 91st Academy Awards (nominations announced in early 2019); McKay received Best Director and Best Picture nominations for Vice.
Vice wins Best Make-Up and Hairstyling Oscar
Vice won the Academy Award for Best Make-Up and Hairstyling (91st Academy Awards, 2019).
Produced 'Broken: Jeffrey Epstein' podcast
Produced the investigative podcast series 'Broken: Jeffrey Epstein' (2019) and later 'Broken: Seeking Justice' (2020).
Joined Democratic Socialists of America (reported)
In 2019 McKay joined the Democratic Socialists of America and publicly identified as a democratic socialist.
HBO pilot/series order for Showtime/Lakers project
Hyperobject's first TV project was an HBO pilot ordered based on Jeff Pearlman's Showtime Lakers book; McKay directed the pilot. (Deadline/Petski Dec 2019).
WGA: Paul Selvin Award announced
Listed as to receive the Paul Selvin Award from the Writers Guild (Hollywood Reporter reference Jan 31, 2019).
Ended producing partnership with Will Ferrell (Gary Sanchez split)
April 2019 McKay and Will Ferrell announced they were separating as producing partners but would finish current projects at Gary Sanchez Productions.
Jennifer Lawrence attached to Don't Look Up
Feb 19, 2020 announcement that Jennifer Lawrence would star in McKay's climate/comet satire 'Don't Look Up' for Netflix; McKay wrote and produced the film.
Don't Look Up major casting expansions (DiCaprio, others)
Oct 14, 2020 announcements that Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill and others joined Don't Look Up.
Produced 'Death at the Wing' podcast (development/release)
Produced 'Death at the Wing', a documentary podcast investigating deaths of high-profile young basketball players (announced 2021).
Apple picks up 'Bad Blood' (project moved to Apple Studios)
In December 2021 Apple Studios picked up the 'Bad Blood' project starring Jennifer Lawrence and directed by Adam McKay (project status later changed).
Release of Don't Look Up (theatrical & Netflix)
Don't Look Up received a limited theatrical release in December 2021 and then streamed on Netflix later that month; film earned four Academy Award nominations (94th Oscars).
Apple first-look feature deal for Hyperobject Industries
In July 2021 Hyperobject Industries secured a multi-year first-look movie deal with Apple (reported July 2021).
Signs and activism: Artists4Ceasefire / climate activism
McKay signed the Artists4Ceasefire letter (Oct 2023) and is a prominent voice for climate action; has supported Just Stop Oil and other climate groups (donations and campaigning).
Donated $4 million to the Climate Emergency Fund and joined its board
In 2022 McKay donated $4 million to the Climate Emergency Fund and joined the board of directors.
Guest on 'SmartLess' podcast
Appeared as a guest on the 'SmartLess' podcast in February 2022.
Jennifer Lawrence departs 'Bad Blood'
Nov 2022: Jennifer Lawrence left the 'Bad Blood' project, citing not wanting to overlap with Amanda Seyfried's portrayal in The Dropout. Project status became uncertain.
Launched 'Death on the Lot' podcast
In 2023 McKay hosted 'Death on the Lot', a podcast exploring celebrity deaths in Hollywood in the 1950s.
Announced 'Average Height, Average Build' package
March 2023: McKay's next project announced as 'Average Height, Average Build', a political satire packaged with high-profile actors (Pattinson, Adams, Downey Jr., Whitaker, Deadwyler).
Netflix acquires 'Average Height, Average Build'
April 30, 2023: Netflix landed Adam McKay's 'Average Height, Average Build' (reported acquisition).
Founded Yellow Dot Studios (climate-focused content)
2023: McKay founded Yellow Dot Studios, a nonprofit climate content studio to raise awareness and mobilize action on the climate emergency.
Left 'Average Height, Average Build' / project scrapped
December 4, 2023: Announced McKay left the Netflix project to pursue a film on climate change; project was subsequently scrapped.
Public political stance following 2024 U.S. election
On Nov 6, 2024 McKay announced he would leave the Democratic Party and consider registering Green Party or Working Families after the 2024 presidential election result.
Signed open letter decrying Trump's administration actions (WGA writers)
In August 2025 McKay was among 2,300+ Writers Guild members who signed an open letter criticizing actions of the Trump administration (reported Aug 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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