Michael McGlone Returns to The Family McMullen: Friendship, Faith, Family, and the Joy of Coming Home
Updated: 10h
Some friendships stand the test of time, and some people become part of the story of a community they've helped shape along the way. Michael McGlone is one of those people for Best Ever You.
Over the years, Michael has been featured in Best Ever You Magazine, appeared on The Best Ever You Show, and generously contributed to and endorsed all three of our Guidebooks: The Change Guidebook, The Success Guidebook, and The Peace Guidebook. His support, friendship, and willingness to share his experiences have made him a valued part of the Best Ever You community.
We're especially delighted to reconnect with Michael to celebrate his latest film, The Family McMullen, which brings him back to the role of Patrick McMullen more than 30 years after the original The Brothers McMullen.
The new film also reunites Michael with longtime friend and filmmaker Ed Burns, continuing a creative partnership and friendship that has spanned decades.
In our conversation, Michael reflects on returning to Patrick, the friendships that have shaped his career, the importance of faith and family, and the creative philosophy that continues to guide his work across acting, music, and writing. He also shares a wonderfully funny behind-the-scenes story involving a Christopher Walken impersonation.
As the holiday season approaches, we love the possibility that The Family McMullen could become one of those films families return to year after year. And after talking with Michael, one thing is clear: his hope for audiences is wonderfully simple. He wants them to experience joy, laughter, and a reminder of the beauty of family and love.
We're grateful to Michael for being part of the Best Ever You journey and excited to share this conversation with our readers.
The Interview: Michael McGlone on The Family McMullen, Friendship, and the Joy of Storytelling
1. It's been more than 30 years since The Brothers McMullen first captured audiences' hearts. What was your initial reaction when Ed Burns approached you about returning to the McMullen family, and what made you want to revisit Patrick after all these years?
Eddie first mentioned making a sequel many years ago, and as these things happen in this industry, projects tell you when they are going to get made, you don't tell them. So, essentially, roughly 15 years after we first talked about it, we make the movie. And as to my character, he's such a joy to play. Eddie has created him so well, frankly there was only for Eddie to ask me to reprise the role and I was in.
2. You and Ed have shared a remarkable creative history. How has your friendship and working relationship evolved over the past three decades, and what do you think makes your collaboration so special?
Our friendship deepened with knowledge of each other and ourselves. And my appreciation of the gifts in my life, one of which is certainly that friendship and creative affinity, also has deepened my gratitude for the Lord placing him in my life. I've enjoyed such a rich collaboration with him, through his writing and acting with him, it only makes it more rewarding to see how his life and mine have unfolded and continue to come together with wonderful results, personally and professionally.
3. When you stepped back into Patrick McMullen's shoes, what felt immediately familiar about him, and what surprised you most about who he's become?
Patrick, when I first started work, preparing for the shoot, showed me a much more peaceful (if still conflicted) family man, whose Catholic faith was still very much in the forefront of his thoughts and the primary guide to his conduct. He, while still intensely devoted to the church, was less beset with guilt and anxiety born of it. There was something wise, more full in his understanding of his life, and more willing to face it, fully.
4. The original film connected with audiences through its humor, family dynamics, relationships, and very human imperfections. What do you think made The Brothers McMullen resonate so deeply, and how does The Family McMullen carry that spirit forward?
What I believe was the prime mover of The Brothers McMullen's success was the script. What Eddie created, long before we shot or reached and won Sundance, was a highly relatable, hysterical and authentic family story about relationships. When, as an actor, you're given words as good as those in that script, you strive to respond in kind and it's the material that allows you to call on your gifts as abundantly as you do.
5. Take us behind the scenes. What was it like reuniting with Ed and returning to this world? Are there any particularly funny, meaningful, or memorable moments from making the new movie that you'd love to share?
Well, reuniting and working with Eddie are best described by sharing something Jack Lemmon once said about working with Walter Matthau: "Working with that man is like sitting down to breakfast with your family." That's how it feels for me with Eddie.
And as far as a fun story goes, one day Eddie and I had it planned that upon his cue, I would play the given scene, or riff on it, as Christopher Walken, which is one of the impersonations I do. And on the day it happened, I launched into it and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it, perhaps me, the most.
6. There's something wonderful about a movie becoming part of a family's holiday traditions. What do you hope audiences experience when they watch The Family McMullen, and would you love to see it become a holiday classic that people return to year after year?
Of course, you always hope that a holiday film you make becomes a staple, and with The Family McMullen it's no less. And as much as I would love that, still any time someone sees the film what I want most for them is joy, laughter with a reminder of the beauty, love and depth of family and other love relationships. It will sound oversimplified, but it is actually this simple: I want them to be happy.
7. You've built a career across acting, music, writing, and storytelling. How have those different creative experiences influenced the way you approach your work today, and what continues to excite you about being an artist?
Every one of my careers assists the others, sometimes in ways I can explain, other times in ways I can't. But they are all involved with each other, because they are all centered on the most acute communication of love and understanding possible. Everything I write, every performance I give, every song I sing, my aim is always the most authentic and purest expression of my life, love and understanding, in assistance of someone else's.
8. Looking back on your career, what have you learned about perseverance, taking creative risks, and staying true to yourself in an industry where so much is outside your control?
The key has always been and will always be, don't give up. Also remember that living a life in artistic self-expression is an immense joy and gift. Be grateful, be persistent, don't complain, love and respect others and always move forward, even when what you're doing is examining the past, making everything about going forward. Be positive. Everything is a blessing to you if you are willing to embrace your life, en toto, as a blessing.
9. Family, forgiveness, love, and second chances are themes that connect beautifully with the work we do at Best Ever You. What has returning to the McMullen story taught you about family, relationships, or the importance of finding humor and humanity in life's complicated moments?
The Family McMullen will, I believe, show the audience the virtue and beauty of all the things you mentioned. We are all in similar if not the same circumstances, laugh and be joyful and know the greatest gift is seeing your life as that and sharing your love accordingly as the God-given gift it was meant to be.
10. If you could personally invite someone who's never seen either McMullen movie to sit down and watch The Family McMullen this holiday season, what would you tell them? And what do you hope stays with viewers long after the credits roll?
I would tell them get ready to enjoy a fun and funny movie about family and relationships that authentically represents the beautiful truth that the more things change, the more they stay the same. And the joy I hope they feel is what I hope stays with them. The joy in life and love.
A Little More About Michael McGlone
Michael McGlone is an actor, musician, writer, and storyteller whose creative work spans film, television, music, and writing. Known for his role as Patrick McMullen in The Brothers McMullen, he returns to the character in The Family McMullen, reuniting with longtime friend and filmmaker Ed Burns.
His work reflects a deep appreciation for authentic storytelling, human relationships, artistic expression, and the many ways creativity can communicate love and understanding.
To visit his website go here: MichaelMcGlone.com
Watch The Family McMullen
This holiday season, consider adding The Family McMullen to your movie list. Whether you're reconnecting with the original film or discovering the McMullen family for the first time, Michael hopes audiences leave with something simple and meaningful: joy.
As he reminds us, the greatest gift is the joy in life and love.
A Final Note from Elizabeth
Michael, thank you for being such a wonderful part of the Best Ever You journey over the years. From our magazine and podcast to your contributions and endorsements of our Guidebooks, your friendship and support have meant so much. We're cheering you on and wishing you, Ed Burns, and everyone involved with The Family McMullen tremendous success. Here's to laughter, family, friendship, and hopefully a new holiday tradition for audiences everywhere!
With gratitude,
Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino
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