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Peter MacNicol

Peter MacNicol

Peter MacNicol is an American actor. He received a Theatre World Award for his 1981 Broadway debut in the play Crimes of the Heart. His film roles include Galen in Dragonslayer (1981), Stingo in Sophie's Choice (1982), Janosz Poha in Ghostbusters II (1989), camp counselor Gary Granger in Addams Family Values (1993), and David Langley in Bean (1997). MacNicol was born in Dallas, Texas, on April 10, 1954. He attended the University of Dallas and the University of Minnesota, where he studied theater. After graduating, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. MacNicol made his Broadway debut in 1981 in the play Crimes of the Heart. He won a Theatre World Award for his performance. He went on to appear in a number of other Broadway productions, including The Real Thing (1984), The Crucible (1996), and The Pillowman (2005). MacNicol has also had a successful career in film and television. He has appeared in a number of films, including Sophie's Choice (1982), Ghostbusters II (1989), Addams Family Values (1993), and Bean (1997). He is best known for his role as the eccentric lawyer John Cage in the FOX comedy-drama Ally McBeal (1997–2002), for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2001. MacNicol has also appeared in a number of other television shows, including 24 (2001), Numbers (2005), and Veep (2012-2019). He is a versatile actor who has shown his range in a variety of roles. MacNicol is married to Martha Cumming, and they have two children. He is a member of the Actors' Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild.

Known for

Shell
Shell
2025 • Dr. Thaddeus Brand
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
2024 • The Invader (voice)
Home Delivery
Home Delivery
2024 • Howard Evans
Our (Almost Completely True) Love Story
Our (Almost Completely True) Love Story
2023 • Psycho Date
Secret of the Sundrop
Secret of the Sundrop
2018 • Nigel the Advisor
Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright
Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright
2013 • Dewey Ottman (voices)
Battleship
Battleship
2012 • Secretary of Defense
Game Change
Game Change
2012 • Rick Davis

Full filmography

Shell
Shell
2025 • Dr. Thaddeus Brand
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Home Delivery
Home Delivery
2024 • Howard Evans
View movie
Secret of the Sundrop
Secret of the Sundrop
2018 • Nigel the Advisor
View movie
Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright
Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright
2013 • Dewey Ottman (voices)
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Battleship
Battleship
2012 • Secretary of Defense
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Game Change
Game Change
2012 • Rick Davis
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The Spectacular Spider-Man: Attack of the Lizard
The Spectacular Spider-Man: Attack of the Lizard
2008 • Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus (voice)
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Breakin' All the Rules
Breakin' All the Rules
2004 • Philip Gascon
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Balto: Wolf Quest
Balto: Wolf Quest
2002 • Muru (voice)
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Recess: School's Out
Recess: School's Out
2001 • Fenwick (voice)
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The Pooch and the Pauper
The Pooch and the Pauper
2000 • Liberty (voice)
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Snowden's Christmas
Snowden's Christmas
1999 • Snowden (voice)
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Silencing Mary
Silencing Mary
1998 • Lawrence Dixon
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Bean
Bean
1997 • David Langley
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Mojave Moon
Mojave Moon
1996 • Tire Repairman
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Radioland Murders
Radioland Murders
1994 • Son Writer
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Roswell
Roswell
1994 • Lewis Rickett
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Addams Family Values
Addams Family Values
1993 • Gary Granger
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Housesitter
Housesitter
1992 • Marty
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American Blue Note
American Blue Note
1989 • Jack Solow
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Ghostbusters II
Ghostbusters II
1989 • Dr. Janosz Poha
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Heat
Heat
1986 • Cyrus Kinnick
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Johnny Bull
Johnny Bull
1986 • Joe Kovacs
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Floss
Floss
Unknown year • Dr. Rivus
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Peter MacNicol – Biography, Known For & Filmography