Michael Myers (born May 25, 1963 in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada) is an actor, comedian, screenwriter, and motion picture producer. Both his parents are from Liverpool, United Kingdom, and Myers carries a UK passport: he has stated that he considers himself to be British although he is also very vocal about being a proud Canadian.
One of Myers' first acting jobs was with Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner in a TV commercial when he was nine years old. Myers graduated from High School in 1982 and was immediately accepted into Toronto's Second City improvisational comedy troupe.
Myers became well-known as a member of the cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live television program from 1989 to 1995, where he performed characters like Dieter, Linda Richman, and Wayne Campbell from Wayne's World.
In 1992, Myers and comedian Dana Carvey took Wayne's World to the silver screen in a full-length motion picture based on the SNL skit. It ended up being one of the most successful movies of the year.
In 1997, Myers introduced the world to Austin Powers, with the film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Myers played the title role, and several other characters in the film.
In 1999, Myers played his first non-comedic role in the film 54 where he played the proprietor of Studio 54, a famous New York discotheque of the 1970s. The film was moderately successful; Myers' performance was widely praised.
In June of 2000, Myers was sued by Universal Pictures for $3.8 million for backing out of a contract to play Dieter, the SNL character, in a feature film. Myers said he refused to honor the $20 million contract because he didn't want to cheat moviegoers with an unacceptable script. Myers countersued, and a settlement was reached after several months where Myers agreed to make another film with Universal. That film would be The Cat in the Hat, released November 2003 and starring Myers as the title character.
Myers is a member of the band Ming Tea which performed the songs BBC and Daddy Wasn't There for the Austin Powers movies.
His brother, Paul Myers, is a musician and writer.
In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted amongst the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.
Filmography
External links
Last updated: 06-23-2005 03:45:57
Last updated: 09-03-2005 18:37:12
