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| Mark McKinney | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mark McKinney |
| Birth date | 26 November 1959 |
| Birth place | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation | Actor, Comedian, Writer, Director |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Notable works | The Kids in the Hall, Saturday Night Live, The Red Green Show, Slings and Arrows |
Mark McKinney is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, and director known for his work in sketch comedy, television, film, and theatre. He rose to prominence as a founding member of the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall and later joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. McKinney's career spans work with notable institutions such as Second City, collaborations with figures including Lorne Michaels and Alanis Morissette, and appearances in series like Slings and Arrows and Superstore.
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, McKinney was raised in a family with ties to Canada's public institutions. He attended schools in Ontario before moving to Toronto to pursue performing arts. In Toronto he became involved with improvisational theatre at Second City, a company that had produced alumni such as John Candy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Aykroyd, and Gilda Radner. His early training placed him in the orbit of Canadian and North American comedy circuits that included venues and festivals like Just for Laughs.
McKinney's professional trajectory began in live comedy and sketch ensembles in Toronto and extended into international television and film. He trained in improvisation and sketch writing, collaborating with performers from troupes connected to institutions such as The Second City Toronto, which nurtured careers of comedians who later worked on productions linked to NBC, CBC Television, and HBO. Over decades he has shifted between ensemble comedy, character-based television, dramatic roles, and directing, intersecting with figures like Lorne Michaels, Mike Myers, Martin Short, Ray Romano, and Fred Armisen.
As a founding member of The Kids in the Hall troupe, McKinney contributed to a sketch show that became a cultural touchstone for Canadian comedy. The troupe's television series, produced by CBC Television and CBS, featured ensemble members including Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, and Scott Thompson. The show gained international attention through festival screenings at Just for Laughs and distribution relationships with networks like HBO and streaming platforms linked to companies such as Amazon Prime Video. The troupe toured theatres and comedy festivals throughout North America and Europe, performing sketches and adaptations that engaged audiences who followed contemporaries like Monty Python, Saturday Night Live, and The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town revival projects.
In 1995 McKinney joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, a long-running program produced by Lorne Michaels for NBC. On SNL he worked alongside cast members such as Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Chris Farley, and later ensembles that included Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Post-SNL he returned to Canadian television in projects like the critically acclaimed series Slings and Arrows, sharing credits with actors and creators who had collaborated with institutions including Shaw Festival and Stratford Festival. McKinney also appeared in American television series such as 30 Rock, Portlandia, The Office (U.S. version), and the ensemble workplace sitcom Superstore, aligning with producers linked to NBC Universal and streaming partners like Netflix.
McKinney's filmography covers independent and studio pictures where he played supporting and character roles. He appeared in comedies and dramas alongside performers like Ellen Page, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, and directors connected to companies like Miramax, Paramount Pictures, and Universal Pictures. His film work includes roles that intersected with festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival and collaborative projects featuring Canadian cinema figures like David Cronenberg alumni and actors from the National Film Board of Canada tradition.
McKinney's stage work includes performances and creative contributions at Canadian institutions such as the Stratford Festival and smaller theatres in Toronto and Vancouver. He has engaged in voice acting for animated series and radio projects, lending his voice in productions that connect to broadcasters like CBC Radio and animation studios linked to Cartoon Network and PBS Kids. His theatrical background informs direction and adaptation work for stage revivals, touring productions, and voice roles in animated features and series.
McKinney has maintained ties to Canadian cultural institutions and charity events, participating in benefit performances and fundraising initiatives associated with organizations such as Artists Against Racism, arts education programs in Toronto and Ottawa, and healthcare-related fundraisers that include partnerships with hospitals like Toronto General Hospital and arts organizations affiliated with Canada Council for the Arts. He balances professional work between Canada and the United States, continuing collaborations with filmmakers, theatre directors, and television producers across North America.
Category:Canadian comedians Category:Canadian actors Category:Living people Category:1959 births