Michael O'Keefe, born Raymond Peter O'Keefe Jr. on April 24, 1955, is an American actor who earned critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for his breakout performance in the late 1970s. He is best known to mainstream audiences for his comedic role as Danny Noonan in the classic golf comedy Caddyshack and for his dramatic turn as Ben Meechum opposite Robert Duvall in The Great Santini. His career has spanned decades, encompassing both film and television, where he became a familiar face to sitcom fans as Fred on Roseanne.

O'Keefe grew up in Larchmont, New York, and began acting at a young age, appearing in television commercials and stage productions. He made his film debut in the 1976 drama The Great Santini, a role that would define his early career. In the film, O'Keefe played Ben Meechum, the oldest son of a fiercely competitive Marine Corps pilot played by Robert Duvall. His nuanced performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a rare honor for a young actor in his first major film role. This recognition opened doors to a variety of projects, including the iconic 1980 comedy Caddyshack, where he played the earnest caddy Danny Noonan opposite Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield. While Caddyshack became a cultural touchstone, O'Keefe also took on dramatic roles in films such as The Slugger's Wife, a Neil Simon-penned romantic comedy about a baseball player and a singer, and Ironweed, where he acted alongside Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, O'Keefe maintained a steady presence on television. He appeared in numerous TV movies and series, but his most notable small-screen role came in 1993 when he joined the cast of the hit sitcom Roseanne. He played Fred, the boyfriend and eventual husband of Laurie Metcalf's character Jackie Harris, a role he held for two seasons until 1995. His performance brought a grounded, often exasperated energy to the chaotic Conner household. In later years, O'Keefe continued to work in both film and television, with guest roles on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The West Wing, and a recurring part in the series Rescue Me. He also returned to the stage, performing in off-Broadway productions and regional theater.

Beyond acting, O'Keefe has pursued a career as a singer-songwriter, releasing music that reflects his personal interests. He has also been active in charitable work, particularly with organizations supporting veterans and the arts. Married to actress Bonnie Raitt from 1991 to 2000, he later married Emily Donahoe, with whom he has a child. Now in his late sixties, O'Keefe remains a respected figure in the entertainment industry, remembered for his early Oscar-nominated performance and his enduring contributions to film and television comedy.