‘Shameless’ Star William H. Macy Reflects On An Extremely ‘Shameless’ Moment

Coming up on Season 8, William H. Macy is the name of an actor Shameless fans know and love as none other than Frank Gallagher.

According to Los Angeles Times, Macy recently reflected on one of his character’s more Shameless moments. Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross – and everyone else on the stage at the time – couldn’t help but laugh as Macy talked about this unforgettable scene from Season 5 Episode 4. Tracee Ellis Ross can be seen covering her face as she shakes with a fit of laughter as William describes the scene.

For those who don’t remember, Macy’s character Frank Gallagher came into a large sum of money via an insurance settlement during Season 5 Episode 4. The only problem was Frank – as typical Frank would do – got so wasted celebrating the money that he couldn’t remember what he did with it. He actually didn’t even remember that he had already claimed said money until he tried to claim it a second time and his lawyer reminded him he had already done so.

In the Shameless scene Macy reflects on, Frank learns he had invested a very large sum of his money to a man who builds artificial limbs for children. Unsurprisingly, Frank quickly tells the man what he is doing is incredible, but he needs his money back. Unfortunately for Frank, the money had already been spent on limbs that had already been constructed. The man then proceeds to show Frank an artificial leg he helped pay for which has a worth of roughly $60,000.

Shocked by what he learns, Frank decides if he can’t get his money back, he is at least going to take the $60,000 leg with him. In his mind at least, Frank believes he could sell the leg to get some of his insurance settlement back. Macy’s character, however, runs into a problem when the little girl the leg is intended to be for is in the room and decides to fight Frank for the leg. William remembers holding the leg and dragging the little girl with one leg across the floor while screaming profanity at her about why it was his leg. Macy remembers the girl couldn’t have been more than 12 years old as she begged and pleaded with him shouting “please mister,” while he dragged her across the floor by the artificial limb.

Most Shameless fans often agree William H. Macy’s character is one of the more despicable members of the Gallagher family. Fortunately, being the most Shameless member of the family also makes him one of the fan favorites. The real question many often have is how Macy feels about taking on the role of such an awful person.

According to Michigan Avenue, Macy absolutely loves playing Frank Gallagher. Sure, he doesn’t want to be anything like Gallagher in person, but he can’t deny how fun it is to step out of his comfort zone and take on such a wicked monster for his Shameless fans. According to CBS News, Macy once described his character on Shameless as “delicious.”

“He’s a good guy, he’s fun, he’s hardworking, he’s entrepreneurial, he loves women.”

As most know, William H. Macy is nothing like Frank Gallagher. In fact, he is likely someone his character in Shameless would make fun of.

“You know, I’m Lutheran. I grew up in Maryland. I read these scripts and I go, ‘Oh, are you joking!'”

Even Macy admits to finding some of the things his character does to be disturbing and, well, shameless. That, however, doesn’t make him enjoy the role any less.

What do you think have been some of the more Shameless moments for Frank Gallagher? Do you think the moment William H. Macy reflected on should be on the list? Let us know in the comments section below!

[Featured Image by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Vulture Festival]