Actor-writer-musician Michael McKean has been turning it up to 11, as it were, for decades.
In addition to his comic star turns as Laverne & Shirley’s Lenny Kosnowski and This Is Spinal Tap’s hard-rocking David St. Hubbins, he boasts a successful film and television career that has included roles in Best in Show and Clue as well as seasons as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. His turn as Chuck McGill on Better Call Saul earned him an Emmy nomination, and he won a Grammy for co-writing the title song of A Mighty Wind. He’s even tackled the animation world (voicing Grandpa Lou Pickles on Rugrats) and the Broadway stage, portraying characters as diverse as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray to J. Edgar Hoover in the political drama All the Way.
McKean will find renewed heavy-metal glory when Spinal Tap II hits theaters in 2025, but in the meantime, he enjoys kicking back and relaxing with wife Annette O’Toole. Here he shares how they love to explore the Golden State’s history and charms.
Where do you live? West side of Los Angeles.
Why there? It’s close enough to the ocean to get a little break when it’s hot. (I lived in the Valley for 17 years, and that got a little bakey.)
Who or what is your greatest California love? I love the footprints and traces of a century of filmmaking: the neighborhoods, buildings, and landmarks we can spot in the work of Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, et al.
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? That everybody is in show business.
What is the stereotype that most holds true? That there’s always a bit of self-promotion one can work into any conversation.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? Not a big splurger. But there are restaurants that can make you feel like one.
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? Poquito Mas.
What is your favorite way to play in California? Hang with the family, play with Barry the dog, and of course, PIZZA NIGHT! (Saturdays, build your own, Annette supplies the dough from scratch.)
Where would you go for the ultimate shopping spree in California? I will continue to avoid most shopping scenarios, but if pressed, I’ll settle (sentimentally) for the Beverly Center. Mind you, it was an oil derrick and a pony ride when I got to town. You can look it up.
Best California song? “California Man,” by Cheap Trick, because it’s written by a Brit (Roy Wood of The Move) and it’s kind of a visitor’s take on the scene. The very American Cheap Trick had the hit, and I listened to that worthy band a lot while we were writing the original Spinal Tap stuff.
How would your California dream day unfold? Every average day is a dream come true for a couple of homebodies like us. But we often find a less-traveled road and visit somewhere like the Leo Fender Gallery or the William S. Hart home. Or just grab a movie mid-day, then home to play cards (Cassino, one game, every day). Annette is a great cook, so we don’t go out too much. Pretty boring dream from the outside, I guess. But have I mentioned PIZZA NIGHT?
