Scoot McNairy
- Born
- John Marcus McNairy
November 11, 1980 (age 40) - Profession
- Actor, Film Producer
- Spouse
- Whitney Able
Scoot McNairy (born John McNairy) is an American actor and film producer most widely known for starring in several films, including Argo (2012), Killing Them Softly (2012), Promised Land (2012), Monsters (2010), and In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2007).
Early life
McNairy was born in Dallas, Texas, to Alicia Ann McNairy (née Merchant) and Stewart Hall McNairy. McNairy has an older brother. Although he grew up in Dallas, he spent holidays and weekends on his parents' ranch in rural Paris, Texas.
Growing up, McNairy did theater in after-school programs.
His father began calling him Scooter when he was about two years old. He has commented on his nickname, saying: "A lot of people are like, oh, it must be some amazing story. But it’s because I used to scoot around on my butt."
Career
McNairy moved to Austin, Texas in his early 20s, and was cast in his first film role, Wrong Numbers (2001), a teen drinking comedy written and directed by friend and frequent collaborator Alex Holdridge. The film won the Audience Award at the Austin Film Festival. Holdridge was hired to remake Wrong Numbers into a studio picture, but things didn't work out.
McNairy wasn't sure of being an actor: "I thought I wanted to be a wildlife photographer or cinematographer," he says, citing a love for the great outdoors. "So I moved [to LA] to go to film school." After a year of film school working to become a cinematographer, McNairy dropped out and began working in film production (carpentry, building film sets). Then he worked as an extra, until he eventually found steady work starring in over 200 TV commercials. Although initially interested in being behind the camera, he soon found roles as a journeyman actor for over 10 years.
During the early 2000s, McNairy was known for his specialization in portraying colorful and individualistic young men with a slightly rebellious edge. McNairy began with small parts in films, including Wonderland (2003), Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005), and Art School Confidential (2006).