Peter MacNicol Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Height, Ally McBeal

Peter MacNicol is an American character actor whose performances first drew attention on Broadway and later on screen.

After winning a Theatre World Award for his debut in Crimes of the Heart (1981), he made his film breakthrough in Dragonslayer (1981) and Sophie’s Choice (1982).

His energetic comic role as Dr. Janosz Poha in Ghostbusters II and then his Emmy-winning portrayal of legal eccentric John Cage in Ally McBeal (1997–2002) solidified his reputation.

He continued to bring depth to television and film, with memorable roles in Chicago Hope, Numb3rs, 24, Grey’s Anatomy, Veep, the Marvel and DC animated universes, and more recently as Professor Randolph in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Profile

• Full name: Peter C. MacNicol
• Date of birth: April 10, 1954
• Age: 71 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Dallas, Texas, U.S.
• State of origin: Texas
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor, director, writer
• Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
• Weight: 68–70 kg
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Brown
• Parents: John Wilbur Johnson (father), Barbara Jean Johnson (mother)
• Siblings: Four siblings (including sister Becky MacNicol‑Gregory)
• Spouse: Martha Sue Cumming (married October 11, 1986)
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Norwegian-American paternal ancestry, plus French‑Canadian, Irish, Austrian, German, English, Dutch and Scots‑Irish heritage
• Net worth: $7 million

Early Life and education

Peter MacNicol is now at the age of 71 and was born on April 10 1954 in Dallas, Texas to John Wilbur Johnson and Barbara Jean Johnson.

He grew up as the youngest of five children, with four older siblings including his sister Becky.

His father was a corporate executive who later became an Episcopal priest, and his mother was a homemaker.

MacNicol attended MacArthur High School in Irving before studying drama at the University of Dallas and later at the University of Minnesota.

He honed his craft onstage at the Guthrie Theater before moving to New York City in 1980 to pursue Broadway work.

Personal Life

Peter has been married to Martha Sue Cumming since October 11, 1986.

The couple have no children.

Martha is known for running a non‑profit scholarship foundation for inner-city youth in Los Angeles.

The couple resides in Beverly Hills.

MacNicol has stated he enjoys playing the bagpipes in his spare time.

Career

MacNicol’s professional career began in theater, earning the Theatre World Award for his Broadway debut in Crimes of the Heart (1981).

His film debut came the same year in Dragonslayer (1981), followed by the role of Stingo in Sophie’s Choice (1982).

In the late 1980s, he appeared in Johnny Bull and Heat, then gained comic fame as Janosz Poha in Ghostbusters II (1989).

Throughout the 1990s, he balanced film and television, appearing in Addams Family Values, Dracula: Dead and Loving It, and Bean.

His major TV breakthrough was playing attorney Alan Birch on Chicago Hope (1994–1998), which led to his defining role as John Cage on Ally McBeal (1997–2002), for which he won the 2001 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

He continued his television success as Dr. Larry Fleinhardt on Numb3rs (2005–2010), Tom Lennox on 24 (2007), Dr. Stark on Grey’s Anatomy, Jeff Kane on Veep (2016–2019), and appearances in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., CSI: Cyber, Tangled: The Series, and others.

He also lent his voice to multiple animated and video game roles across both Marvel and DC properties.

Awards

• 2001 – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Ally McBeal)
• 1999 – OFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Ally McBeal)
• 1999 – Q Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy Series (Ally McBeal)
• 2001 – Q Award nomination (Ally McBeal)

Net worth

Peter MacNicol’s net worth is estimated to be around $7 million, accumulated through an extensive career spanning theater, film, television, voice work, and writing/directing credits.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• X: @petermacnicol

Filmography

• Dragonslayer (1981)
• Sophie’s Choice (1982)
• Johnny Bull (1986)
• Heat (1986)
• Ghostbusters II (1989)
• American Blue Note (1989)
• HouseSitter (1992)
• Addams Family Values (1993)
• Radioland Murders (1994)
• Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)
• Mojave Moon (1996)
• Bean (1997)
• Baby Geniuses (1999)
• Breakin’ All the Rules (2004)
• Battleship (2012)
• Our Almost Completely True Story (2022)
• Shell (2024)
• Faerie Tale Theatre (1984)
• The Powers That Be (1992–1993)
• Chicago Hope (1994–1998)
• Ally McBeal (1997–2002)
• Numb3rs (2005–2010)
• 24 (2007)
• Grey’s Anatomy (2010–2011)
• CSI: Cyber (2015–2016)
• Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2015)
• Veep (2016–2019)
• A Series of Unfortunate Events (2019)
• All Rise (2020–2021)