Born in 1938 in Providence, Rhode Island, Mackenzie began his professional career as an actor and made his Broadway debut in 1965 in the musical Half a Sixpence, before turning to directing for the stage. Mackenzie’s credits as a theatre director include Sweet Charity, Lil’ Abner, and, more recently, I Do! I Do! on Broadway. Mackenzie also appeared as a guest actor on several television shows, which led to the opportunity to direct his first television project, an episode of The Bob Newhart Show. Throughout his career, Mackenzie has helmed episodes of more than 60 series including Bosom Buddies, WKRP in Cincinnati, Newhart, Moonlighting, Family Ties, Remington Steele, After MASH, Taxi, Caroline in the City, Common Law, The Nanny, Coach, Major Dad, Dharma & Greg, Everybody Loves Raymond, Reba, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Raising Dad, My Wife and Kids, and Scrubs. He also directed movies for television including Characters (1980), The President of Love (1984), Family Ties Vacation (1985), A Hobo’s Christmas (1987), Poochinski (1990), Perfect Harmony (1991), Stormy Weathers (1992), Driving Miss Daisy (1992), Related by Birth (1994), Mixed Nuts (1996); in addition to the feature film, Worth Winning, in 1989.
For his directorial efforts MacKenzie has won three DGA Awards for episodes of Moonlighting (1986, 1987) and Family Ties (1988). He has also been nominated for six Primetime Emmys for two episodes of Moonlighting, two episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond, and an episode each of Family Ties, and Scrubs. MacKenzie served as an alternate on the Guild’s National Board from 1993-1995 and was a Trustee of the Directors Guild Foundation for numerous terms.