Biography
As both a frequent onscreen presence in Hollywood comedies and the occasional writer of a daft and pickled Hollywood laugh-fest, Ohio-born Michael Hitchcock began his career in the early '90s as a screenwriter. Though Hitchcock actually debuted as co-scenarist with Marc Rocco's 1992 urban drama
Where the Day Takes You, he failed to break through to the American public prior to his critically maligned but lucrative authorship of such comic vehicles as
Problem Child 3 (1995) and
House Arrest (1996). Aside from periodic contributions to the long-running sketch comedy series
MADtv, Hitchcock then abandoned scriptwriting for many years to focus exclusively on acting.
Hitchcock established himself as a character player, demonstrating solid comedic timing, a genial humorous presence, and an actor's raw instinct. His appearances include supporting roles in such comedies as the well-received Happy, Texas (1999) and the
Christopher Guest mockumentaries
Best in Show (2000) and
For Your Consideration (2006). Though Hitchcock occasionally attempted to expand his range, with such projects as a supporting turn on an episode of
NYPD Blue and a small role in the space adventure
Serenity (2005), he generally clung to his comedic roots and found greatest success in that arena. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide