McLean grew up in Orillia, Ontario and started his journalism career working part-time at a Welland radio station when he was just 15 years old.
After a couple of radio news anchor jobs in Saskatchewan (Regina and Saskatoon), McLean moved back to Ontario, and in 1971, began his long career at CHCH-TV in Hamilton.
He started out as a commercial announcer, and got his first television stint as host of the CHCH-TV documentary program, "Mid-Day", which was taped at Hamilton Place.
McLean briefly considered getting into politics in 2009, when he became a potential candidate for the federal Liberal Party in Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, but he withdrew his candidacy for personal reasons.
In his spare time, McLean enjoys the countryside, scuba diving, motorcycles, and horseback riding.