Anecdotes

William H. Macy was forced to use that rather formal moniker when he became an actor because Bill Macy already "owned" the name with the professional unions.

Took on many entertainment jobs (poetry-reading, movie bits, comedy-record gigs) before hitting it big on TV as Bea Arthur's stressed and often troubled heavy-drinking husband on the popular feminist sitcom Maude (1972). Arthur was only 5 days older than Macy and the two were good friends off-screen.

Appeared in his birthday suit at age 47 in the controversial Broadway "nudie" musical, "Oh! Calcutta!" (1969).

He can be seen in a brief, non-credited role as the father of Christian Bale's character in "American Hustle," during flashback scenes of Bale's childhood.

Worked as a cab driver for a decade before becoming an actor.

Was raised in Brooklyn and attended Samuel J. Tilden High School.

He was born in Revere, Massachusetts to Mollie (Friedopfer) and Michael Garber; his paternal grandparents were Lithuanian Jewish immigrants, and his maternal grandparents were Austrian Jews.

He was a lifelong liberal Democrat.

Upon his death, he was cremated and his ashes returned to his wife.

Macy performed on the P.D.Q. Bach album "The Stoned Guest" in 1970 alongside classical composer and musical parodist Peter Schickele and actor Will Jordan.

He married actress Samantha Harper in 1975 and appeared alongside her on the TV game show "Tattletales.".