Michael McGrady

Michael McGrady

Keynote Speaker: Motivational Speaker & Musician, Sonic Groove Band; Theater, Film & Television Actor Best Known for "Ray Donovan," "Beyond" & "Southland"

Michael McGrady Biography

Michael Steven McGrady is an actor, artist, musician, and motivational speaker. McGrady has nearly four decades of experience in theater, film, and television, including roles in popular shows such as "Beyond," "24," "Murder She Wrote," "CSI: Miami," "Leverage," and "Prison Break." He is known for playing Tom Matthews in the TV show "Beyond" and Sal Salinger on the TNT drama "Southland," and had a recurring role as Frank Barnes on Showtime's "Ray Donovan." He has also given his voice and likeness to the video game "L.A. Noire" as Rusty Galloway and made a cameo in the movie "Iron Man."

McGrady was raised in the Washington State area of the Pacific Northwest. He studied Business Administration at the University of Washington and planned to attend law school. However, after overcoming malignant melanoma at the age of 19, the same cancer his late father had, he decided to focus on his passion for acting. With the support of his family, he moved to Los Angeles in 1983 and has been a mainstay in Hollywood since.

McGrady has worked with several notable actors in various roles throughout his career. Noteworthy performances include starring in "Low Winter Sun" for AMC as Brendan McCann, playing Detective John Gentile in "The Frozen Ground," and appearing as Detective Philip Vanatter on FX's "American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson."

Apart from acting, McGrady is a collected fine artist specializing in easel works in oil. He has painted large-scale murals in celebrity and sports stars' homes, as well as commercial and residential buildings. He is the founder of the Los Angeles-based Actors Workshop, where he offers guidance on acting both behind and in front of the camera.

Moreover, McGrady is a public speaker, focusing on topics like overcoming adversity, achieving a balance in life and work, and fatherhood. He is also an accomplished singer-songwriter and the front singer of The Sonic Groove Band, which occasionally invites celebrity artists to join their sets. His philanthropic efforts include the establishment of the Tynan McGrady Foundation, a nonprofit scholarship and funding organization for STEM endeavors, created in honor of his late son.

When not working, McGrady spends time with his wife, Ilka, either at the McGrady Fine Art Gallery or performing with his band, Michael McGrady's Sonic Groove Band, around Los Angeles. He is also a keen outdoor enthusiast, enjoying activities such as sailing, surfing, riding his Harley, or soaring his hang glider above the mountains of beautiful Santa Barbara. He divides his time between Thousand Oaks, California, and his vacation home on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington state.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Michael McGrady and other top speakers and celebrities.

Michael McGrady Speaking Topics

Be a Thriver not just a Survivor

Michael McGrady speaks on overcoming obstacles, cancer, and other health challenges. Cancer is not a death sentence, it is a LIFE sentence - the ultimate wake-up call. As a cancer survivor, McGrady has a thorough and empathic understanding of what the battle with cancer looks and feels like. He shares his journey of not only surviving the potential death sentence of cancer, but also learning how to use it to thrive in life.

Achieve things you didn't think possible without the power of a cancer diagnosis.

The Actors Workshop

Practical advice and teaching on the acting profession. What does it take to be a professional actor. The pre-flight checklist: A failproof method of approaching your work as an actor and an effective means of breaking down scenes for auditions, entire movies or television roles, and plays. Get the role and rock it!

McGrady founded and ran the successful Actors Workshop in Los Angeles for 14 years and speaks to the acting profession from both behind and in front of the camera.

Michael McGrady: Other Popular Speaking Topics

  • Overcoming Adversity
  • Beating The Odds
  • Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
  • Setting and Accomplishing Value-Driven Goals
  • Fatherhood
  • Motivation & Goal Setting

Michael McGrady Videos

"Ray Donovan's" Michael McGrady On Finally Playing a Father

How do I book Michael McGrady to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michael McGrady for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michael McGrady, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michael McGrady or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Michael McGrady for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Michael McGrady, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michael McGrady are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael McGrady, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Michael McGrady speak about?

Michael McGrady is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Television & Film, Entertainers, Art, Acting, Home & Decor, Performing Arts, Literary, Celebrity, Cancer, Faith & Religion, Christian, Motivational, Personal Growth, Cancer Survivors, Fitness, Health, Entertainment, Family & Parenting, Mental Health, Overcoming Adversity and Music.

Where does Michael McGrady travel from?

Michael McGrady generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Michael McGrady?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michael McGrady for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michael McGrady for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michael McGrady or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Michael McGrady is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Television & Film, Entertainers and Art. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michael McGrady for live events is $30,000 - $50,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Michael McGrady generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Sean Astin, Daymond John and Bethany Hamilton. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michael McGrady for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 14/07/2024.

Michael McGrady Speaking Topics

  • Be a Thriver not just a Survivor

    Michael McGrady speaks on overcoming obstacles, cancer, and other health challenges. Cancer is not a death sentence, it is a LIFE sentence - the ultimate wake-up call. As a cancer survivor, McGrady has a thorough and empathic understanding of what the battle with cancer looks and feels like. He shares his journey of not only surviving the potential death sentence of cancer, but also learning how to use it to thrive in life.

    Achieve things you didn't think possible without the power of a cancer diagnosis.

  • The Actors Workshop

    Practical advice and teaching on the acting profession. What does it take to be a professional actor. The pre-flight checklist: A failproof method of approaching your work as an actor and an effective means of breaking down scenes for auditions, entire movies or television roles, and plays. Get the role and rock it!

    McGrady founded and ran the successful Actors Workshop in Los Angeles for 14 years and speaks to the acting profession from both behind and in front of the camera.

  • Michael McGrady: Other Popular Speaking Topics

    • Overcoming Adversity
    • Beating The Odds
    • Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
    • Setting and Accomplishing Value-Driven Goals
    • Fatherhood
    • Motivation & Goal Setting

Michael McGrady Videos

"Ray Donovan's" Michael McGrady On Finally Playing a Father

Michael McGrady News

  • How do I book Michael McGrady to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michael McGrady for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michael McGrady, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michael McGrady or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Michael McGrady for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Michael McGrady, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michael McGrady are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael McGrady, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Michael McGrady speak about?

  • Where does Michael McGrady travel from?

    Michael McGrady generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Michael McGrady?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michael McGrady for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michael McGrady for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michael McGrady or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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