Celebrity Info
Boris McGiver was a character actor whose imposing presence and blue-collar appearance made him a standout presence in some of the most acclaimed films and television series of the 21st century. Born on January 23, 1962, in Cobleskill, New York, Boris grew up following in the footsteps of his father, the actor John McGiver. After honing his craft at the Tisch School of the Arts in New York City, he landed a minor but notable role in the 1987 Depression-era drama Ironweed, starring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.
Despite this early appearance, Boris McGiver’s career didn’t truly gain momentum until nearly two decades later. One of his first major television roles came in 2006 when he portrayed Charles Marimow in a season of David Simon’s critically lauded crime series The Wire, which aired on HBO from 2002 to 2008. That role helped open doors for more diverse opportunities, and soon after, he showcased his comedic side in a 2007 episode of 30 Rock, playing part of Jack Donaghy’s (Alec Baldwin) rowdy Boston Irish family.
Boris also took on more dramatic and historical roles, such as Robert Goddard in the 2008 HBO miniseries John Adams, a performance that further solidified his reputation. In 2012, he appeared in another prestigious period film—this time portraying Democratic Senator Alexander Hamilton Coffroth in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln. That same year, McGiver continued to build an impressive résumé with compelling roles in high-profile series like Beau Willimon’s political drama House of Cards, which debuted on Netflix in 2013, and Terence Winter’s gangster epic Boardwalk Empire, which ran on HBO from 2010 to 2014.
Throughout his career, Boris McGiver consistently brought depth and authenticity to every role, whether in historical dramas or contemporary political thrillers. His work, often subtle yet powerful, earned him a respected place among the ranks of character actors in modern television and film.
Boris McGiver has appeared in a variety of films throughout his career, but one of his standout performances came in the 2003 movie Piggie, which is widely regarded as his highest-rated film. On the other hand, his role in the 2004 film Taxi didn’t quite resonate with audiences or critics in the same way, earning it the spot as his lowest-rated movie to date. While Boris has taken on many roles, these two films represent the high and low points in terms of critical reception.
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