In Step With JOHN C. MCGINLEY (Stage, TV, and Film Actor)
Brady, James. Parade. New York: Feb 17, 2002.  pg. 15

Abstract (Article Summary)
In NBC's new medical-comedy hit Scrubs, John C. McGinley helps to supervise
interns. In real life, he's helping to raise his son,
 Max, a 4-year-old with Down syndrome.

Photo of McGinley and his chocolate lab, Hudson, by Ray Kachatorian/Shooting
Star

Body:
While new comedy series starring such big names as Ellen DeGeneres and Jason
Alexander were flopping earlier this season, an NBC medical sitcom called
Scrubs, featuring a cast of largely no-name actors, was building audience
ratings and impressing critics.

If one superstar emerges from Scrubs, it may be young Zach Braff as an innocent
intern.  But the fellow intriguing most reviewers is John C. McGinley, who plays
Dr. Cox.  TV Guide said he "steals the show as a mercurial doctor who deep down
actually gives a damn.  So will you."

Hard to believe, but McGinley - a Hollywood veteran who has done a half-dozen
Oliver Stone flicks, including Platoon, Nixon and Wall Street - had never before
done a TV series.  Why not?  "The role usually came down to 'Ken and Barbie,'"
said McGinley, "and I'm just not 'Ken' material.  But this role sounded
different."  And how would he describe Dr. Cox?

"Cox is cut out of the same cloth as Ed Asner on The Mary Tyler Moore Show,"
said McGinley.  "He has compassion, but he's not a hand-holder.  Asner never
leaned over to kiss Mary and make things better."

As a divorced dad, Mcinley helps to raise his 4-year-old son, Max, who has Down
Syndrome.  In October, he was grand marshal of the annual "Buddy Walk" in L.A.
to solicit funds and promote education about Down syndrome.  How did it go?

"We raised $30,000," said McGinley.  "And Max marched the whole way on my
shoulders.  Those kids were magnificent."

McGinley grew up in Short Hills, N.J., where his parents still live.  He
graduated from New York University, then spent three years in its theater
program.

McGinley was in a New York production of Hamlet when Oliver Stone called him to
begin filming Platoon.  What does he think of the controversial director? 
"Oliver is a thoroughbred racehorse with blinders on," he said.  "His creative
mission is everything.  But he lets you change his lines if it makes them
better.  He's the world's best collaborator."


Sidebar:
Most Hollywood people are forever going on about how much they miss the stage. 
But not John C. McGinley, who's worked on Broadway.  "When I did Talk Radio
onstage for six months, it was not fun anymore," said McGinley.  Fun is
important to him.  When I asked about being a scene-stealer on Scrubs, McGinley
said, "The fun starts when you can toss the text and shove it into your back
pocket."  They work five days on each episode.  "We shoot in an old hospital
near Burbank," said McGinley.  "My dressing room is a former patients' room and
pretty depressing."  When NBC decided Scrubs was a winner and called for 24
episodes, "everyone was running around the hallways, yelling and shouting," he
recalled.  When they wrap, sometime this spring, will McGinley do another film? 
"No," he said.  "I want to spend 24/7 with my son, Max.  My plan is to devour
Max."

Sidebar:
Personal:  Born Aug. 3, 1959, in New York City.  Married to Lauren Lambert, 1996
- 98; one son, Max, 4.
Television:  Includes Another World, 1984; Leg Work, 1987; Clinton and Nadine,
1988; Cruel Doubt, 1992; Intensity, 1997; Sole Survivor, 2000; Scrubs, 2001 - .
Films:  Include Platoon, 1986; Sweet Liberty, 1986; Wall Street, 1987; Talk
Radio, 1988; Point Break, 1991; Car 54, Where Are You?, 1994; On Deadly Ground,
1994; Nixon, 1995; The Rock, 1996; Any Given Sunday, 1999; Get Carter, 2000; The
Animal 2001; Highway 2001.
Theater:  Includes Requiem for a Heavyweight, 1985; Hamlet, 1986; Talk Radio,
1987.