Andrew Neil McKenzie was born on September 23, 1991, in Red Deer, Alberta, to a family with a strong sense of community involvement. His father founded and leads a counseling center, while his mother, who had previously pursued a career in nursing, dedicated herself to raising their children and taking on numerous volunteer roles.
McKenzie's early acting career took off when he landed the role of "Young Man" in the TV series Fargo. Initially, his character was only supposed to appear in the pilot episode, but the show's producers and writer Noah Hawley were so impressed with his performance that they rewrote the script to bring him back for another episode.
In his daily life, McKenzie was known for his dedication to his craft, often running across the city at 6:30 AM to make it to his morning rehearsals for the multiple plays he was involved in at the time. His talent and dedication earned him several acting awards, solidifying his reputation as a thoughtful and compelling young actor.
McKenzie was also an active member of his school and community, voluntarily leading a group focused on stewardship and organizing events such as a 30-hour famine and a "Shave Your Lid for a Kid" campaign, which he also participated in.
To hone his craft, McKenzie studied the Meisner Acting Technique under Cindy Christensen at the Playhouse North School of Theatre for two years, in addition to taking ballet classes, circus training, and voice lessons. He later relocated to Red Deer to study Acting for Film at Red Deer College under Larry Reese in 2011.