One of the founding members of the legendary comedy troupe, The Credibility Gap, lanky comic actor, writer and musician Michael McKean enjoyed an almost uninterrupted run as an employed Hollywood actor. Known for frequently playing goofy characters that were just the slightest bit cool – or occasionally cool, mature characters who seemed just a bit goofy – McKean came to national prominence alongside his friend and collaborator, David L. Lander, as one half of Lenny and Squiggy – two popular recurring characters on the smash ‘70s hit comedy, “Laverne & Shirley” (ABC, 1976-1983). In the early
Began acting in plays at age 14 and performed in numerous high school productions
Performed with the Left Banke singing group in the late 1960s before enrolling in New York University's school of the arts
1970
Moved to Los Angeles and formed the comedy group The Credibility Gap, which featured Harry Shearer, David L. Lander and Richard Bebe
1970
Also toured with The Credibility Gap
1975
Hired as a writer for the ABC sitcom "Laverne and Shirley," along with Shearer and Lander; reportedly, series star Penny Marshall suggested that McKean and Lander could play recurring oddball characters, which led to the roles of Lenny and Squiggy
