How Old Is Michael O Keefe

You know that moment when you’re watching The Great Santini or Caddyshack and you suddenly wonder, “Hang on, just how old is that guy who played Danny Noonan?” Welcome to the club. The universe has a funny way of making actors seem either frozen in amber or wildly older than you remember. Today, we’re cracking the case of Michael O’Keefe, the man who made you laugh, cry, and maybe even want to hit a golf ball with a dandelion.

Let’s cut to the chase before I bury the lede in a sand trap. As of 2025, Michael O’Keefe is 69 years old. Yes, you read that right—the teenage caddy from Caddyshack is now closer to 70 than to the legal drinking age. I know, I know. It feels like yesterday he was dodging gophers and Bill Murray’s insanity, but time is a ruthless beast that spares no one—not even the guy who played a high school kid in 1980.

The Math That Hurts Your Soul

Born on April 24, 1955, in Larchmont, New York, Michael O’Keefe has officially been on this planet longer than some countries have been independent. Let that sink in. He was a child actor on Broadway in the 1970s, was nominated for an Oscar at age 23 for The Great Santini, and today he’s probably retired to a quiet life of… well, whatever he wants. But here’s the twist: he still looks younger than most of us after a bad night’s sleep.

I did some digging, and it turns out that when he played Danny Noonan in Caddyshack, he was 24 years old playing a teenager. That’s right—he was a grown man wearing a ridiculous caddy uniform, and we all bought it. That’s like casting a 30-year-old to play a sixth grader. The guy had a baby face so powerful it should have been classified as a national treasure.

The Career That Time Forgot (But Not Really)

You might think Michael O’Keefe just disappeared after Caddyshack, but that’s pure heresy. His resume is thicker than a Rhode Island novel. He was in Roseanne, Law & Order, and even played Fred Sanford in a TV movie (yes, really). He also had a guest spot on The West Wing where he argued with Martin Sheen—because of course he did. The man has range from comedy to drama to “please don’t throw a gopher at me.”

‘Caddyshack’ star Michael O’Keefe will caddie at 2020 US Open

Here’s a shocking fact: Michael O’Keefe is a published author. He wrote a memoir called Great Wide Open, which is about his childhood in a chaotic family that somehow didn’t involve a gopher. I’m not saying he’s a Renaissance man, but if you ever need a cranky old actor who also writes books about his mother, he’s your guy.

But Wait—Is He the Oldest Living Caddyshack Star?

Let’s do a quick headcount. Rodney Dangerfield died at 82. Ted Knight died at 83. Bill Murray is still alive and, at 74, is older than Michael O’Keefe. That’s right—the guy who played the creepy groundskeeper is actually younger than the guy who played the loopy assistant (Murray). Time is a flat circle, and it’s also a very confusing spreadsheet.

Michael O'Keefe - IMDb

And just for extra confusion: O’Keefe is exactly one year older than Chevy Chase (born 1956 in case you’re scoring at home). So while Chevy was out there breaking his own jokes, O’Keefe was quietly aging like a fine wine. Or a fine cheese. Or a fine gopher—I don’t know, pick your metaphor.

The Most Surprising Fact You’ll Read Today

I saved the best for last. Michael O’Keefe was married to the iconic singer Bonnie Raitt from 1991 to 1999. That’s right—Danny Noonan from Caddyshack was married to the slide guitar queen. Imagine the Thanksgiving dinners: “Pass the gravy, honey, and can you play ‘Nick of Time’ later?” The marriage didn’t last, but it’s the most unexpected crossover event since the Avengers.

Michael O'Keefe - Actor

And now, at 69, O’Keefe still pops up in indie films and guest spots. He’s not retiring anytime soon, probably because he enjoys the work (or because gopher repellant is expensive). So next time you watch Caddyshack and see that kid with the earnest face and the mullet, just remember: he’s older than your dad, he once romanced a rock legend, and he’s aging backward like a reverse Benjamin Button. Except no gophers were harmed in the making of this article. Probably.

So, to answer your question: Michael O’Keefe is 69 years old, give or take a few laugh lines. But let’s be honest—he’ll always be the guy who taught us how to be a caddy, a son, and a human being, all while dodging explosions and verbal abuse from Bill Murray. And that, my friends, is forever young.