Adam McKay Biography – American Filmmaker

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Adam McKay's biography

Adam McKay is a well-known director, producer, and screen writer from America. Image Source: Social Media.

Last updated on March 26th, 2022 at 04:15 pm

Adam McKay is a filmmaker and comedian of American nationality. He has been in the entertainment business for many decades now and has gained significant fame and fortune to his name.

Although Adam’s professional life is an open book to many people, very little is known about his personal life. So, in this biography, let’s known in detail about Adam McKay’s parents, net worth, lovelife, and kids.

The Only Child Of His Parents

Adam was born on April 17, 1968, in Denver, Colorado. He then grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, and when he was nine years old, he and his family moved to Malvern, Pennsylvania.

The director is the only child of his parents. Adam McKay’s mom, Sarah Imperato worked as a waitress. While they were living in Worcester, she used to attend night school. On the other hand, Adam McKay’s dad used to play bass. But his name is not known yet.

Adam McKay's Parents
Adam McKay’s mom worked as a waitress and his dad played bass. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Sadly, Adam McKay’s parents are no longer together as they got divorced when he was seven years old. Following their separation, he moved to Pennsylvania with his mom.

Adam went to Great Valley High School in Malvern and graduated in 1986. Then, he attended Pennsylvania State University. A year later, he transferred to Temple University. There, he majored in English, but a semester-and-a-half before graduation, he dropped out.

ALSO READ: Meet Australian Cinematographer Ari Wegner

Adam McKay, Net Worth – $60 Million

Since the 1990s, Adam has been working in the entertainment field as a producer, director, and comedian. In all these years of his professional career, he must have made a good income. As a result, Adam McKay’s net worth is estimated to be $60 million.

The filmmaker ventured into the entertainment sector in the late 80s and early 90s by performing at ImprovOlympic in Chicago. Then, in 1995, he began working as a writer at Saturday Night Live, and the following year he was promoted to head writer. He worked there until 2001 and even directed the original SNL Digital Short and a number of movies.

After leaving SNL, McKay partnered with Will Ferrell and formed the company Gary Sanchez Productions. Then they wrote many movies, including Adam’s feature film directorial debut, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

There are several movies that Adam has directed, produced, and even worked as a screenwriter. Some of them with their box office collections are given in the table below.

Movies Box Office Collections
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy $84.1M
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby $148.2M
Holmes & Watson $30.5M
The Boss $63.0M
Daddy’s Home $150.3M
Ant-Man $180.2M
Vice $47.8M
The Other Guys $119.2M

Apart from movies, Adam has also worked in different television series like Eastbound & Down, Succession, Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty, etc.

In the 2006 movie The Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Adam earned $2 million as the screenwriter. Thus, he must have made around the same range while working as a screenwriter in different other projects.

Furthermore, a movie director in the USA earns $54,010 as an average salary. Thus, Adam must have earned around the same range. As a result, Adam McKay’s net worth is $60 million.

Just like Adam, Danish cinematographer, Dan Laustsen has also earned a considerable sum from his career.

Marital Life Of Over Two Decades

The director enjoys not only a successful professional life but also a happy marriage. He shares a blissful marital life with Shira Piven. The couple first met during a party in Chicago and began dating shortly after.

Adam McKay's wife
Adam McKay and Shira Piven first met at a party. Image Source: Shira Piven Facebook.

Then, in 1999, the lovebirds got married. As Adam McKay’s wife, Shira, is also involved in the acting business, this might be the reason why the duo got together.

Welcomed Two Children With His Wife

Adam McKay and Shira together welcomed two children in their over two decades of togetherness. Lili Rose McKay and Pearl McKay are Adam McKay’s daughters. However, he has not revealed when they were born.

Adam McKay’s daughter, Pearl, was featured in one of her dad’s funny videos, The Landlord. The video also features Will Ferrell.

The director must be living a wonderful life with his wife and kids. Nonetheless, let’s hope he finds more success in the coming days.