George McGrath

George McGrath

1980s Alumni — teacher

George McGrath was a member of the Groundlings Company from 1984 to 1993. He performed with the company, taught in the school, directed the Sunday Show, created the long-running "Your Very own TV Show", co-starred in "Olympic Trials: A Chick Hazard Mystery" with the late, great Phil Hartman, and co-starred in another long-running show, "Ultimate Idol." He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his first writing job, PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE, and was a series regular, appearing as the puppets Globey, The Flowers, The Fish, Cowntess and the live-action character, Zyzzyballubah. He was nominated again for writing the second season with Paul Reubens, and co-wrote his Paramount film BIG TOP PEE-WEE. He created, wrote, and starred in Nick-At-Nite’s first original series, ON THE TELEVISION, and co-executive produced 40 episodes, giving dozens of Groundlings their first TV writing and acting jobs. George created the CBS children’s series, RIDERS IN THE SKY; was the head writer for LATER WITH GREG KINNEAR; and wrote the FOX TV movie, BASED ON AN UNTRUE STORY. For the next several years, he worked on a dozen sitcoms and became one of the highest paid and sought-after creative consultants working in network TV. He returned to his roots, sketch comedy, working with the brilliant Tracey Ullman - writing/producing her HBO series TRACEY TAKES ON and special TRACEY ULLMAN’S TRAILER TALES. He also had a recurring role on TAKES ON as Jonathan Meade. He won a GLAAD Award, and received his third and fourth Emmy nominations for writing and producing TAKES ON. He is also a songwriter, with over 90 songs in his BMI catalogue, including PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE theme song, which won the Theme Song of the Year Award. He continues to act and write, and currently teaches at the New York Film Academy

George Currently Appears In