He graduated from Ohio University.[2]
In 1981, he moved to Chicago, where he acted in The House of Blue Leaves and "The Normal Heart," where he met actor and Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Steven Drukman with whom he lived for three years. He joined the play writing group Chicago New Plays.
His partner at the time of his death was activist and cartoonist Daniel Sotomayor.[3]
He died of complications from AIDS on November 7, 1992, aged 33.[4]
The son of Leo McPherson and Peggy Sansbury, he had the following siblings: Bret and Mark McPherson, Steve Sansbury, Hugh Sansbury, Susan MacDowell, Ellen Oatney and Cathy Hargett.[citation needed]