From Rick Simon to Admiral Kilbride, TV’s ultimate silver fox keeps commanding the screen.
It’s rare for an actor to be both a household name and a chameleon. But Gerald McRaney—affectionately known to fans as “Mac”—has been doing just that for more than five decades. Whether he’s hunting bad guys in Simon & Simon, raising a family in Major Dad, or laying down the law as Admiral Hollace Kilbride in NCIS: Los Angeles, McRaney brings a signature blend of grit, Southern charm, and understated authority.
And he’s only getting better with age.
The Man Behind the Voice of Command
Born in 1947 in Collins, Mississippi, McRaney spent his early years immersed in the values of hard work and humility—something that would echo throughout his career. Before acting, he worked the oil rigs in Louisiana, a fitting beginning for a man whose later roles would ooze rugged resilience.
His early television work reads like a who’s-who of classic TV: Gunsmoke, The Rockford Files, Barnaby Jones, The Incredible Hulk. But it was the 1980s private eye drama Simon & Simon that turned McRaney into a star. As the charming, street-smart Rick Simon, he became the thinking woman’s action hero—a role he reprised to much fanfare in the 1995 TV reunion.
Major Success & Promised Roles
McRaney followed Simon & Simon with Major Dad, another hit that ran for four seasons. As the stern-but-loving Marine Corps officer John MacGillis, he balanced military precision with sitcom warmth—a combination few actors could pull off without slipping into cliché. The role cemented his image as the no-nonsense father figure you didn’t want to disappoint.
He later led the CBS drama Promised Land, where he portrayed a traveling father and grandfather bringing hope to struggling families—proof that even tough guys can be soft-spoken heroes.
A Career Reinvented: McRaney in the 2000s
By the 2000s, McRaney had become a go-to actor for high-stakes drama and morally complex men. He shook up Deadwood as gold tycoon George Hearst, won over House of Cards fans as billionaire puppet-master Raymond Tusk, and earned a Primetime Emmy Award for his turn as Dr. K in NBC’s This Is Us, where his emotionally grounded performance as a wise physician left a lasting impression.
His range only broadened, taking him from courtroom benches (Fairly Legal) to CIA shadow ops (Undercovers) to the gritty hills of Longmire.
The Admiral Enters: NCIS: Los Angeles
In 2014, McRaney made his debut on NCIS: Los Angeles as retired Navy Admiral Hollace Kilbride. At first, he was a recurring force—called in for his wisdom, steel, and that unmistakable gravelly voice. But by 2021, as the show entered its later seasons, Kilbride stepped fully into the spotlight.
With the exit of longtime team leader Hetty Lange, it was McRaney’s Kilbride who assumed command—no-nonsense, deeply principled, and unafraid to challenge his team when necessary. Fans and critics alike praised the casting as genius. McRaney brought authenticity, gravitas, and a welcome shake-up to the OSP’s chain of command.
“Kilbride doesn’t mince words. He leads with experience, not ego,” McRaney said in a 2022 interview. “That’s who I strive to be, too.”
Off-Screen, Still a Patriot
Though he never served in the military, McRaney has long been a vocal supporter of America’s armed forces. From USO tours in the 1990s to commercials for the Wounded Warrior Project, he’s used his platform to honor real-life heroes. He’s also been active politically, an outspoken conservative voice in Hollywood—never one to shy away from his beliefs.
And let’s not forget his enduring love story with fellow actor Delta Burke. Married since 1989, the two are one of the entertainment industry’s most grounded and private power couples.
Looking Ahead: Paradise & More
In 2025, McRaney joins the cast of Paradise, a high-stakes political thriller set in the world of intelligence and power brokers. He plays Kane Bradford, a figure with a murky past and dangerous influence. It’s another notch in his growing resume of layered, complex men with secrets to keep and wars to fight.
The Enduring Power of Presence
What makes Gerald McRaney timeless isn’t just his voice, his presence, or his resume—it’s the rare ability to make you believe. Whether he’s barking orders, offering sage wisdom, or revealing a character’s hidden pain, he always feels real. That’s what makes him a legend on both sides of the camera.
As NCIS: Los Angeles fades into the franchise’s storied history, one thing is clear: Admiral Kilbride may be retired, but Gerald McRaney’s star is anything but.
