McFadzean began his career as a playwright in Chicago, later earning a master's degree in theater at
Illinois State University. He later moved to California, where he was once the benefactor of the Christian-based Lamb's Players Theater Company in
San Diego, California. While attending the
University of Evansville in Indiana, where he earned a bachelor's degree in theater, it was there he met
Matt Williams. McFadzean would be the first person that Williams hired for the writing staff of the first season of the sitcom
Roseanne. McFadzean and Williams together with
Carmen Finestra formed the production company Wind Dancer Productions in 1989. They went on to create and produce
Carol & Company,
Thunder Alley,
Buddies,
Soul Man and their most successful creation, the sitcom
Home Improvement starring
Tim Allen. McFadzean's film producing credits include
Firelight (1997),
Where the Heart Is (2000),
What Women Want (2000),
Walker Payne (2006) and
Bernie (2011). ==Personal life==