Peter MacNicol

Highest Rated: 84% Dragonslayer (1981)

Lowest Rated: 2% Baby Geniuses (1999)

Birthday: Apr 10, 1954

Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, USA

Veteran character actor Peter MacNicol made a name for himself with a lengthy résumé populated by roles that while outwardly submissive, often displayed unexpected flashes of inner fire. Trained on the stages of the revered Guthrie Theater and proven on Broadway, the actor's screen debut came with a starring role in the fondly remembered fantasy film "Dragonslayer" (1981). However, he truly came to the attention of both audiences and critics as the odd-man-out in the doomed triangle of the heart-wrenching drama "Sophie's Choice" (1982), opposite Kevin Kline and Oscar-winner Meryl Streep. MacNicol later gave his comic instincts free reign as the manic Dr. Janosz Poha alongside Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver in "Ghostbusters II" (1989). A brief run as a recurring character on the medical drama "Chicago Hope" (CBS, 1994-2000) paved the way for a career-making role on David E. Kelley's quirky legal comedy "Ally McBeal" (Fox, 1997-2002). For the six-season-run of the provocative series, MacNicol played law firm partner John Cage with equal parts eccentricity and humanity, endearing himself to fans of the show possibly more than any other character in the wacky series. Always in demand, he soon joined the successful crime drama "Numb3rs" (CBS, 2005-2010), as a theoretician assisting the FBI in solving impregnable cases. Adept at comedy and high drama, MacNicol's innumerable contributions to film and television ensured his ongoing screen presence for years to come.