William H. Macy Reflects on 'Shameless' Family: Fond Memories of His TV Kids

William H Macy Misses His Shameless Kids

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William H. Macy still cares about the actors who portrayed his children on Shameless.

During a podcast**** appearance on May 29, Macy, 74, expressed his pride in their success, referring to them as his "ersatz kids."

Macy portrayed Frank Gallagher, the alcoholic head of the dysfunctional Gallagher family, in the TV series Shameless, which aired on Showtime from 2011 to 2021. His on-screen children were played by Emmy Rossum (Fiona), Jeremy Allen White (Philip, also known as “Lip”), Ethan Cutkosky (Carl), Emma Kenney (Debbie), Christian Isaiah (Liam), and Emily Bergl (Sammi). Cameron Monaghan played Ian, Frank's nephew whom he raised as his own son.

On Tuesday, Macy expressed his sadness at bidding farewell to his on-screen family after the show concluded its 11-season run. He mentioned that he genuinely misses them.

The actor had previously shown his admiration for White, who is 33 years old, when White's sexy underwear campaign for Calvin Klein gained a lot of attention.

Macy said, "He's doing really well in his career. I'm genuinely happy for him. I'm a big fan of his show The Bear on FX on Hulu."

told Entertainment Tonight in March, joking that he “had to speak” to White about his underwear ad. “You know, as his father [I had to say], ‘Put your pants on.’”

William H Macy Misses His Shameless Kids

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Macy also defended Rossum, 37, when she decided to leave Shameless in 2018 after nine seasons.

He told Entertainment Weekly in August 2018 that she's young and has made the right choice. She's also an executive producer on another show, so she's moving on to something new and wants to explore different opportunities. He expressed his well wishes for her and is excited to see what she will do next.

In an Instagram post announcing her departure, Rossum mentioned the strong bonds and "real friendships" that the cast and crew of Shameless had developed over the years.

“I can say for certain that this cast and crew, who I’ve been truly honored to work alongside, are world class. I am proud and I’m filled with gratitude,” she wrote.

William H Macy Misses His Shameless Kids

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Macy also spoke highly of his time on the show on Tuesday, noting that he “loved” the experience.

He shared that initially, he brought his old habits into it, struggling with all the scenes, seeking rewrites, and questioning everything. He felt the weight of it all, but as time passed, he learned to relax. This led to a noticeable improvement in his acting skills and a more positive reception from people.

In addition to his role in Shameless, Macy is a father to daughters Sophia, 23, and Georgia, 22, with his wife Felicity Huffman. The family faced public scrutiny in 2019 when Huffman, 61, was charged with fraud and conspiracy in connection with a college admissions scandal.

Huffman admitted to paying $15,000 to improve her daughter's SAT scores, leading to her pleading guilty to conspiracy and fraud. Her husband, Macy, did not face any charges. Huffman was sentenced to 14 days in prison in September 2019, but she only served 10 days.

Editor's P/S:

William H. Macy's genuine affection for his on-screen children from "Shameless" is heartwarming. His pride in their success as actors, whom he refers to as his "ersatz kids," reflects the strong bonds forged during the show's 11 seasons. Macy's support for the cast members' post-"Shameless" endeavors, such as Jeremy Allen White's role in "The Bear" and Emmy Rossum's executive producer role, further demonstrates his continued interest in their careers.

Macy's initial struggles on the show and subsequent growth in confidence parallel his character's journey. His willingness to embrace the experience and trust in the process showcases his dedication to the craft. The positive reception he received from both critics and audiences is a testament to his talent and the impact of his portrayal of Frank Gallagher.