Michael McGrady Talks Travel
- Filed Under:
Patrick Batu
August 12, 2009
Michael McGrady stars as gang detective Daniel "Sal" Salinger on NBC's acclaimed drama, Southland, which returns for its second season on September 25th. In addition to acting, McGrady is also an accomplished fine artist who owns and operates McGrady Fine Art with his wife, Ilka.
You may also recognize this accomplished veteran actor from stints on shows such as 24, Las Vegas, Day Break, and Murder She Wrote. We had the opportunity to pick Michael’s brain about his visit to Rome and Germany, his gripes about the airline industry and what he does to make his travels as comfortable as possible.
Is there a destination or travel moment that inspired you, or even changed your life? If so, where and why?
Inspired me? On a return trip from doing a movie in South Africa I stopped off in Rome for a few days. I was able to catch all of the highlights. The Sistine Chapel was closing and I almost didn't make it in, but a security guard offered to take me through on his last round. When I looked up at that ceiling I was stunned and overwhelmed with emotion. As soon as I returned home I got my paints and brushes out and began painting again. I've been painting ever since.
Life changing? I met my beautiful wife, Ilka, in Berlin, Germany while filming a movie. She was working as a Production Assistant on the film. We did not hook up there we simply met for the first time. It wasn't until a year later when she was visiting the Sates and working as an au pair that we met for the second time. I fell madly in love with her and still am. We've been together ever since.
What's your biggest pet peeve when you travel?
Usually when I travel for a film I fly first-class and when I do the only real peeve would be the crowds and long lines. On occasion I do fly coach or business class when I have my whole family with me. That is an entirely different experience. That is where the frustration takes place. They cram far too many seats into planes these days. I am 6' 3" so you can imagine how uncomfortable that is for me. In addition, I don't understand people that have no sense of personal space. I am always aware of and respectful of the other passengers around me. I am careful not to hit the seat in front of me; if I have to lower my tray, I do it gently. I never put my seat back without first letting the person behind me know it. I don't carry on excessive conversation in my "outside voice" LOL so the whole plane can hear me. Some people are just plain loud and obnoxious. They do everything "Big" and "Loud". It's a plane people not a playground!
Where is your favorite place to get it away from it all?
We have a summer home on Mason Lake in Washington State where I grew up. It’s surrounded by tall pines, and a variety of trees and plant life. It is like enjoying aromatherapy in a terrarium. It is peaceful and serene and I have many fond childhood memories from there. It's where a lot of "first times" took place. My kids love it there too.
When traveling, what's the very first thing you do when you enter your hotel room?
Check out the view.
As a celebrity, you travel a lot for your job. What are some tips and tricks that you've found to make the journey more comfortable?
Travel light. Bring something to read or listen too, anything to distract you from the noise and waiting. My wife knits so she always brings along her latest creation. I like to draw and read so I bring plenty of books and paper. I have learned to embrace the "travel" part of my trip as...well...a part of the trip. I love to people watch and airports are great for that sport. Sometimes not fighting it and just flowing with it is the best way to deal with travel frustrations. Public places are great free theater and entertainment. I bring things from home too. Like my guitar and plenty of photographs and when I travel alone for any length of time I bring a piece of clothing of my wife's that has my favorite perfume of hers sprayed on it. It’s my form of a teddy bear, I suppose. LOL
Don’t forget to catch Michael in the return of Southland on NBC. One thing to note, you never want to upset him if you ever run into him. Michael holds black belts in two different styles of Karate so you better watch out.
Michael McGrady stars as gang detective Daniel "Sal" Salinger on NBC's acclaimed drama, Southland, which returns for its second season on September 25th. In addition to acting, McGrady is also an accomplished fine artist who owns and operates McGrady Fine Art with his wife, Ilka. You may also recognize this accomplished veteran actor from stints on shows such as 24, Las Vegas, Day Break, and Murder She Wrote. We had the opportunity to pick Michael’s brain about his visit to Rome and Germany, his gripes about the airline industry and what he does to make his travels as comfortable as possible.
Is there a destination or travel moment that inspired you, or even changed your life? If so, where and why?
Inspired me? On a return trip from doing a movie in South Africa I stopped off in Rome for a few days. I was able to catch all of the highlights. The Sistine Chapel was closing and I almost didn't make it in, but a security guard offered to take me through on his last round. When I looked up at that ceiling I was stunned and overwhelmed with emotion. As soon as I returned home I got my paints and brushes out and began painting again. I've been painting ever since.
Life changing? I met my beautiful wife, Ilka, in Berlin, Germany while filming a movie. She was working as a Production Assistant on the film. We did not hook up there we simply met for the first time. It wasn't until a year later when she was visiting the Sates and working as an au pair that we met for the second time. I fell madly in love with her and still am. We've been together ever since.
What's your biggest pet peeve when you travel?
Usually when I travel for a film I fly first-class and when I do the only real peeve would be the crowds and long lines. On occasion I do fly coach or business class when I have my whole family with me. That is an entirely different experience. That is where the frustration takes place. They cram far too many seats into planes these days. I am 6' 3" so you can imagine how uncomfortable that is for me. In addition, I don't understand people that have no sense of personal space. I am always aware of and respectful of the other passengers around me. I am careful not to hit the seat in front of me; if I have to lower my tray, I do it gently. I never put my seat back without first letting the person behind me know it. I don't carry on excessive conversation in my "outside voice" LOL so the whole plane can hear me. Some people are just plain loud and obnoxious. They do everything "Big" and "Loud". It's a plane people not a playground!
Where is your favorite place to get it away from it all?
We have a summer home on Mason Lake in Washington State where I grew up. It’s surrounded by tall pines, and a variety of trees and plant life. It is like enjoying aromatherapy in a terrarium. It is peaceful and serene and I have many fond childhood memories from there. It's where a lot of "first times" took place. My kids love it there too.
When traveling, what's the very first thing you do when you enter your hotel room?
Check out the view.
As a celebrity, you travel a lot for your job. What are some tips and tricks that you've found to make the journey more comfortable?
Travel light. Bring something to read or listen too, anything to distract you from the noise and waiting. My wife knits so she always brings along her latest creation. I like to draw and read so I bring plenty of books and paper. I have learned to embrace the "travel" part of my trip as...well...a part of the trip. I love to people watch and airports are great for that sport. Sometimes not fighting it and just flowing with it is the best way to deal with travel frustrations. Public places are great free theater and entertainment. I bring things from home too. Like my guitar and plenty of photographs and when I travel alone for any length of time I bring a piece of clothing of my wife's that has my favorite perfume of hers sprayed on it. It’s my form of a teddy bear, I suppose. LOL
Don’t forget to catch Michael in the return of Southland on NBC. One thing to note, you never want to upset him if you ever run into him. Michael holds black belts in two different styles of Karate so you better watch out.