# Jeff McCracken

Jeff McCracken (born September 12, 1952) is an American actor, director, producer, and artist.

## Early life and education

Born in Chicago, McCracken graduated Evanston Township High School in 1970. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, where he attained the rank of sergeant. McCracken earned a Bachelor of Arts a degree in creative writing from Goddard College.

## Career

After studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City he began his acting career on Broadway and off-Broadway, including Breakfast with Les and Bess by Lee Kalcheim. As a member of the Circle Repertory Company he appeared in Confluence by Lanford Wilson, John Bishop and Beth Henley. He also had roles in films, including The One Man Jury (1978), Stranger in Our House (1979), Kent State (1981), Running Brave (1985), and Waiting for the Light (1990). He appeared in television series, Bay City Blues and Hawaiian Heat, as well as guest starring in other series such as: JAG, thirtysomething, The Hitchhiker, St. Elsewhere, The Torkelsons, All is Forgiven, LAX, and Private Eye.
McCracken developed and co-produced the feature film Quiz Show. He was production executive on Pastime.
While at the Walt Disney Company he developed, produced and directed television shows Boy Meets World; Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane; Dinosaurs; and You Wish, as well as developing and overseeing production of The Torkelsons, Maybe This Time, Misery Loves Company, Where I Live, and Singer and Sons. In all he has directed over seventy episodes of television, including NYPD Blue, Boy Meets World, Dinosaurs, Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane, Still Standing, The Trouble With Normal, Suite Life of Zach and Cody, and Smart Guy.
His artwork has appeared in the magazine The Guide Artists. He taught for several years at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, becoming an associate professor in 2008, and in 2016 he was a teacher at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

## Personal life

McCracken lives in Washington, Connecticut, with his wife, Janet Taylor McCracken, who is a food editor. They have three children.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1978 | Paradise Alley | Sailor | Uncredited |
| 1978 | The One Man Jury | Billy Joe Kerman | |
| 1979 | Yanks | Soldier | Uncredited |
| 1983 | Running Brave | Dennis Riley | |
| 1987 | Jake's M.O. | Tab Hoberman | |
| 1990 | Waiting for the Light | Charlie | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1978 | Summer of Fear | Mike Gallagher | Television film |
| 1981 | Kent State | Bill Schroeder | Television film |
| 1981 | Family Reunion | Max Winfield | Television film |
| 1983–1984 | Bay City Blues | Vic Kresky | 8 episodes |
| 1984 | Hawaiian Heat | Andy Senkowski | 10 episodes |
| 1986 | All Is Forgiven | Lance Tyler | Episode: "Past Perfect" |
| 1986 | A Winner Never Quits | Sheldrake | Television film |
| 1986 | St. Elsewhere | Mr. Stritch | Episode: "Up and Down" |
| 1987 | The Hitchhiker | Allen | Episode: "Joker" |
| 1987, 1988 | Private Eye | Eddie / Vinnie Muzak | 2 episodes |
| 1989 | Thirtysomething | Dave Calloman | Episode: "Payment Due" |
| 1991 | The Torkelsons | Reverend Langley Wilson | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | JAG | Captain Goldman | Episode: "Crash" |
| 2004 | LAX | Gavin | Episode: "Finnegan Again, Begin Again" |