He began his acting career in a 1974 Canadian television special, The Ottawa Valley. His next role was in a 1979 Canadian comedy, Meatballs, in which he starred opposite Bill Murray, portrayed  as a shy, loner teen attendee of a summer camp, who has trouble fitting in. The movie was a hit, grossing more than $43 million at the box office, and Makepeace received good notices for his work in the film.
He started his acting career in a 1974 Canadian television special, The Ottawa Valley. His next part was in a 1979 Canadian comedy, Meatballs, where he starred alongside Bill Murray as a timid, solitary teenager at summer camp who struggles to blend in. The movie achieved great success, earning over $43 million at the box office, and Makepeace received positive reviews for his performance in the film.