Michael T. Weiss
Encyclopedia
Michael Terry Weiss is an American
actor
best known for playing the title role in The Pretender
.
, who became a make-up artist for television and films. He went to Glenbrook North High School
in Northbrook, Illinois
, where he competed on the swim team, played basketball and was an active member of the student council. While in high school he also studied acting at the Second City
workshop. He was honored with the school's distinguished alumni award at a ceremony in 2001. He attended college at the University of Southern California
and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He has also taken art history coursework at Harvard University and at Otis College of Fine Art & Design.
. Shortly after his college graduation, he obtained his first major role as Mike Horton
on Days of our Lives
. He also worked for a while as a personal fitness trainer, where many of his clients were fellow actors including Pierce Brosnan
and James Brolin
. He is best known for his role on The Pretender
as Jarod. He has also had roles in the movie Jeffrey
, the animated series The Legend of Tarzan
, and a recurring role on Crossing Jordan
. He voiced "The Nameless One", the protagonist of computer game Planescape: Torment
.
In addition to acting, Weiss is a mixed media artist and a playwright. He resides in Southern California and New York.
In February 2006, Weiss attended a benefit with his former Pretender co-stars Andrea Parker
and James Denton
for Cure Autism Now.
He also starred in the world premiere production of Tanya Barfield's play Of Equal Measure at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
in Los Angeles.
The New York Times reports that Weiss, together with Marsha Mason (Steel Magnolias), André De Shields (Full Monty), Aaron Lazar (A Tale of Two Cities ) and Margarita Levieva are to join the cast of the world premiere of Impressionism, a new American play by Michael Jacobs, directed by Tony Award-winner Jack O'Brien, opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 12 March 2009, following previews from 28 February 2009.
Weiss appeared in A Perfect Future
, Off-Broadway
at the Cherry Lane Theatre
. The production was directed by Tony Award
nominee, Wilson Milam
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
best known for playing the title role in The Pretender
The Pretender (TV series)
The Pretender is an American television series that aired on NBC from 1996 to 2000. The series starred Michael T. Weiss as Jarod, a genius and former child prodigy with "the ability to become anyone he wants to be," i.e., to flawlessly impersonate anyone in virtually any line of work...
.
Early life
Weiss was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father was a steel-industry executive and his mother was a homemaker. He has a sister, Jamie Sue WeissJamie Sue Weiss
Jamie Sue Weiss, credited in many different ways, is a well-known Make-up artist in Television and films. She is the older sister to actor Michael T...
, who became a make-up artist for television and films. He went to Glenbrook North High School
Glenbrook North High School
Glenbrook North High School, or GBN, is a public four-year high school located in Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States...
in Northbrook, Illinois
Northbrook, Illinois
Northbrook is a village located at the northern edge of Cook County, Illinois, which is also a North Shore suburb of Chicago. The population was 33,170 at the 2010 census....
, where he competed on the swim team, played basketball and was an active member of the student council. While in high school he also studied acting at the Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
workshop. He was honored with the school's distinguished alumni award at a ceremony in 2001. He attended college at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He has also taken art history coursework at Harvard University and at Otis College of Fine Art & Design.
Career
The acting career of Weiss started when he was a child, where he appeared in local TV commercials in Chicago. In 1980, at the age of 18, he had his first movie role as an extra in the movie Ordinary PeopleOrdinary People
Ordinary People is a 1980 American drama film that marked the directorial debut of Robert Redford. It stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch and Timothy Hutton....
. Shortly after his college graduation, he obtained his first major role as Mike Horton
Mike Horton
Dr. Michael "Mike" William Horton II is a fictional character on the soap opera Days of our Lives. He was named after Mickey Horton, who was thought to be his father, and Bill Horton, his father. Mickey and Bill were brothers. Michael's mother was Mickey's wife Dr...
on Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
. He also worked for a while as a personal fitness trainer, where many of his clients were fellow actors including Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
and James Brolin
James Brolin
James Brolin is an American actor, producer and director, best known for his roles in soap operas, movies, sitcoms, and television. He is the father of actor Josh Brolin and husband of singer/actress Barbra Streisand.-Early life:...
. He is best known for his role on The Pretender
The Pretender (TV series)
The Pretender is an American television series that aired on NBC from 1996 to 2000. The series starred Michael T. Weiss as Jarod, a genius and former child prodigy with "the ability to become anyone he wants to be," i.e., to flawlessly impersonate anyone in virtually any line of work...
as Jarod. He has also had roles in the movie Jeffrey
Jeffrey (film)
Jeffrey is a 1995 American gay romantic comedy directed by Christopher Ashley. It is based on a play by Paul Rudnick, who also wrote the screenplay.Starring Steven Weber as Jeffrey and Michael T...
, the animated series The Legend of Tarzan
The Legend of Tarzan
The Legend of Tarzan is an animated television series created by The Walt Disney Company in 2001, based on the Tarzan character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs....
, and a recurring role on Crossing Jordan
Crossing Jordan
Crossing Jordan is an American television crime/drama series that aired on NBC from September 24, 2001 to May 16, 2007. It stars Jill Hennessy as Jordan Cavanaugh, M.D., a crime-solving forensic pathologist employed in the Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Medical Examiner's Office...
. He voiced "The Nameless One", the protagonist of computer game Planescape: Torment
Planescape: Torment
Planescape: Torment is a computer role-playing game developed for Windows by Black Isle Studios and released on December 12, 1999 by Interplay Entertainment. It takes place in Planescape, an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy campaign setting...
.
In addition to acting, Weiss is a mixed media artist and a playwright. He resides in Southern California and New York.
In February 2006, Weiss attended a benefit with his former Pretender co-stars Andrea Parker
Andrea Parker
Andrea Nicole Parker is an American actress and former ballet dancer.-Career:Parker began ballet training at age 6 and at age 15 she joined a professional dance company. She quit her career in ballet after three years of touring and trained to become an actress while working as a bartender...
and James Denton
James Denton (actor)
James "Jamie" Thomas Denton, Jr. is an American film and television actor, best known for playing Mike Delfino in the television series Desperate Housewives.-Early life:...
for Cure Autism Now.
He also starred in the world premiere production of Tanya Barfield's play Of Equal Measure at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
Kirk Douglas Theatre
The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located in Culver City, California and in 2004, was acquired by the famed Center Theatre Group. The theatre is the most intimate of the group's three stages and seats 317 patrons at max occupancy.- History :...
in Los Angeles.
The New York Times reports that Weiss, together with Marsha Mason (Steel Magnolias), André De Shields (Full Monty), Aaron Lazar (A Tale of Two Cities ) and Margarita Levieva are to join the cast of the world premiere of Impressionism, a new American play by Michael Jacobs, directed by Tony Award-winner Jack O'Brien, opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 12 March 2009, following previews from 28 February 2009.
Weiss appeared in A Perfect Future
A Perfect Future
A Perfect Future is a two-act play by David Hay, set in 2005. The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre in February, 2011. The production was directed by Tony Award nominee Wilson Milam . A Perfect Future opened on February 17th, 2011 following previews beginning on February 4...
, Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
at the Cherry Lane Theatre
Cherry Lane Theatre
The Cherry Lane Theatre , located at 38 Commerce Street in the borough of Manhattan, was New York City's oldest, continuously running off-Broadway theater...
. The production was directed by Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominee, Wilson Milam
Wilson Milam
Wilson Milam is an American theatre director from Bellevue, Washington. He is a founding member and Artistic Director of The Hired Gun Theatre Company....
.
Film
- Sex and the City 2 (2010) - Gay Man at Wedding Who Hits on Big
- Confessions of an Action Star (2007) - Drug Lord
- Fade (2007) - Doctor McCabe
- Razor Sharp (2006) - Dex
- Iowa (2005) - Larry Clarkson
- Sledge: The Untold Story (2005) - Drug Lord
- Marmalade (2004) - Peter
- Until the Night (2004) - Daniel
- Diggin' Up "Bones" (2002) (Video) - Himself
- Tarzan & JaneTarzan & JaneTarzan & Jane is a Disney direct-to-video film released on July 23, 2002, sequel to the 1999 animated feature Tarzan, and uses three unaired episodes of the film's corresponding television series, The Legend of Tarzan. Tarzan II, a midquel to the original film, was released in 2005...
(2002) (Video) (voice) - Tarzan - Written in Blood (2002) - Matthew Ransom
- The Pretender: Island of the HauntedThe Pretender: Island of the HauntedThe Pretender: Island of the Haunted is the second of two made-for-TV movies based on the television series The Pretender. It originally aired on TNT on December 10, 2001.-Plot:...
(2001) (TV Movie) - Jarod - Bones (2001) - Det. Lupovich
- The Pretender 2001The Pretender 2001The Pretender 2001 was the first of the two The Pretender telemovies to air after the series was cancelled from the NBC. It originally aired on TNT on January 22, 2001...
(2001) (TV Movie) - Jarod - Red Shoe Diaries 18: The Game (2000) (Video) - The New Man (segment "The Game")
- Net WorthNet Worth (film)Net Worth is a 2000 drama film that starred Todd Field, Craig Sheffer, Daniel Baldwin, Michael T. Weiss, Tara Wood, Ernie Garrett, and Alix Koromzay...
(2000) - Michael Winslow - Freeway II: Confessions of a TrickbabyFreeway II: Confessions of a TrickbabyFreeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby is a 1999 exploitation film, written and directed by Matthew Bright. It stars Natasha Lyonne as Crystal "White Girl" Van Meter, and María Celedonio as Angela "Cyclona" Garcia...
(1999) - Drifter - Freeway (1996) - Larry
- Remember Me (1995) (TV Movie) - Scott Covey
- JeffreyJeffrey (film)Jeffrey is a 1995 American gay romantic comedy directed by Christopher Ashley. It is based on a play by Paul Rudnick, who also wrote the screenplay.Starring Steven Weber as Jeffrey and Michael T...
(1995) - Steve Howard - Angel 4: Undercover (1993) - Ryan Gersh
- The Big One: The Great Los Angeles EarthquakeThe Big One: The Great Los Angeles EarthquakeThe Great Los Angeles Earthquake is a 1990 television film about a massive earthquake that strikes Los Angeles, California. The movie stars Joanna Kerns in the movie's lead role, seismologist Clare Winslow, who tries to warn city leaders of the possibility that a powerful earthquake may strike...
(1990) (TV Movie) - Larry, the Mayor's Official Aide - Dark Shadows (1990) (TV Movie) - Joe Haskell
- Take My Daughters, Please (1988) (TV Movie) - Joe Blake
- Howling IV: The Original NightmareHowling IV: The Original NightmareHowling IV: The Original Nightmare is a 1988 direct-to-video horror film. It is a sequel to The Howling, and was directed by John Hough from a screenplay by Freddie Rowe and Clive Turner, this is the first Howling film distributed by Warner Bros.....
(1988) (Video) - Richard Adams - Ordinary PeopleOrdinary PeopleOrdinary People is a 1980 American drama film that marked the directorial debut of Robert Redford. It stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch and Timothy Hutton....
(1980) (uncredited) - Extra
Television
- Burn Notice (TV Series)Burn Notice (TV series)Burn Notice is an American television series created by Matt Nix. The show stars Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar, Bruce Campbell, Sharon Gless, and, beginning in the fourth season, Coby Bell. The series premiered on June 28, 2007, on USA Network. On April 15, 2010, the show was renewed for its...
- Army of One (2011) - Blue BloodsBlue Bloods (TV series)Blue Bloods is an American police procedural/drama series on CBS, filmed on location in New York City. The show premiered on September 24, 2010, with episodes airing on Fridays at 10:00 pm Eastern and Pacific/9:00 PM Central and Mountain....
- Sonny Malevsky - (4 episodes, 2011) - Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
- Adam StrangeAdam StrangeAdam Strange is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Mike Sekowsky, he first appeared in Showcase #17 .In May 2011, Adam Strange placed 97th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time....
(voice) - (1 episode, 2009) - Justice LeagueJustice League (TV series)Justice League is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from 2001 to 2004 on Cartoon Network. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It is based on the Justice League of America and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics...
- Etrigan/Jason Blood (voice) - (3 episodes, 2002–2005) - Higglytown HeroesHigglytown HeroesHigglytown Heroes is a children's television series currently airing on the Disney Junior portion of the Disney Channel, or, on some cable networks, the Playhouse Disney channel...
- Mountain Rescue Hero (voice) - (1 episode, 2005) - G-SpotG-Spot (TV series)G-Spot is a Canadian adult comedy television series. The show debuted on The Movie Network and Movie Central on April 25, 2005 and ran for two seasons until April 3, 2006, and is also seen on the Showcase and E! network. The show is executive produced by, written by and stars Brigitte Bako...
- Himself (1 episode, 2005) - Clubhouse - (1 episode, 2004)
- Crossing JordanCrossing JordanCrossing Jordan is an American television crime/drama series that aired on NBC from September 24, 2001 to May 16, 2007. It stars Jill Hennessy as Jordan Cavanaugh, M.D., a crime-solving forensic pathologist employed in the Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Medical Examiner's Office...
- James Horton - (4 episodes, 2003–2004) - The Mummy: The Animated SeriesThe Mummy: The Animated SeriesThe Mummy: The Animated Series is an animated television series produced by Universal Animation Studios to capitalize on the success of The Mummy....
- Dark Medjai /Nizam Toth (voice) - (2 episodes, 2003) - The Legend of TarzanThe Legend of TarzanThe Legend of Tarzan is an animated television series created by The Walt Disney Company in 2001, based on the Tarzan character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs....
- Tarzan (voice) - (24 episodes, 2001–2003) - The Zeta ProjectThe Zeta ProjectThe Zeta Project is a science fiction American animated series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It first aired on Kids' WB in January 2001. It is a spin-off series based on the character Zeta from the Batman Beyond episode of the same name. The show was created by Robert Goodman and Warner Bros...
- Dr. Winhelm (voice) - (1 episode, 2002) - The PretenderThe Pretender (TV series)The Pretender is an American television series that aired on NBC from 1996 to 2000. The series starred Michael T. Weiss as Jarod, a genius and former child prodigy with "the ability to become anyone he wants to be," i.e., to flawlessly impersonate anyone in virtually any line of work...
- Jarod - (86 episodes, 1996–2000) - ProfilerProfiler (TV series)Profiler was an American crime drama that aired on NBC from 1996 to 2000. The series follows the exploits of a criminal profiler working with the fictional FBI's Violent Crimes Task Force based in Atlanta, Georgia....
- Jarod (3 episodes, 1999–2000) - Late Night with Conan O'BrienLate Night with Conan O'BrienLate Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
- Himself (1 episode, 1999) - The Rosie O'Donnell ShowThe Rosie O'Donnell ShowThe Rosie O'Donnell Show is an Emmy Award-winning American daytime television talk show hosted and produced by actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell. It aired for six seasons from 1996 to 2002...
- Himself (2 episodes, 1997–1998) - The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., often referred to as just Brisco or Brisco County,The series is referred to as just Brisco or by Brisco County by the creator and executive producer Carlton Cuse, actors involved with the show, and by many critics. Some examples include:* Cuse, Carlton, DVD extra...
- Johnny - (1 episode, 1994) - Red Shoe DiariesRed Shoe DiariesRed Shoe Diaries is an erotic drama series that aired on the American cable television network Showtime from 1992 to 1997 and distributed by Playboy Entertainment overseas...
- The New Man - (1 episode, 1994) - 2000 Malibu Road2000 Malibu Road2000 Malibu Road is a prime time American soap opera that aired on CBS in the summer of 1992. The series stars Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Beals, Brian Bloom, Scott Bryce, Lisa Hartman, Tuesday Knight, and Michael T...
(1992) - Roger Tabor - (unknown episodes) - Dark ShadowsDark ShadowsDark Shadows is a gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis. The story bible, which was written by Art Wallace, does not mention any supernatural elements...
- Joe Haskell/Peter Bradford - (11 episodes, 1991) - Days of our LivesDays of our LivesDays of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
- Michael William 'Mike' Horton - (522 episodes, 1985–1990, 1992–1993)
Theatre
- A Perfect FutureA Perfect FutureA Perfect Future is a two-act play by David Hay, set in 2005. The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre in February, 2011. The production was directed by Tony Award nominee Wilson Milam . A Perfect Future opened on February 17th, 2011 following previews beginning on February 4...
- John Hudson - The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity- EKO
- Of Equal Measure - Edward Christianson
- Scarcity - Herb Lawrence
- Les Liaisons DangereusesLes Liaisons DangereusesLes Liaisons dangereuses is a French epistolary novel by Choderlos de Laclos.Les Liaisons dangereuses may also refer to:* Les liaisons dangereuses , a 1959 film adapted by Claude Brulé and directed by Roger Vadim...
- Valmont - Burn ThisBurn ThisBurn This is a play by Lanford Wilson.-Plot:It begins shortly after the funeral of Robbie, a young gay dancer who drowned in a boating accident. In attendance were his roommates: choreographer Anna and ad man Larry...
- Pale - HairHair (musical)Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement...
- Berger - The Taming of the ShrewThe Taming of the ShrewThe Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1591.The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the Induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken tinker named Sly into believing he is actually a nobleman himself...
- Tranio - Little Bastards Fun Day - Multiple Roles
- Brush with Fate - Director
- Streams of Consciousness - Writer/Director
Video Games
- Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two WorldsMarvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worldsis a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It features Capcom's own characters and characters from American comic book company Marvel Comics. It is the fifth installment of the Marvel vs...
(2011) - DormammuDormammuDormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a... - Lords of EverQuestLords of EverQuestLords of EverQuest is a 3D fantasy Real-Time Strategy game released in December 2003. It was developed by the short-lived startup company Rapid Eye Entertainment and published by Sony Online Entertainment...
(2003)(voice) - Lord Kadian - FreelancerFreelancer (video game)Freelancer is a space trading and combat simulation video game developed by Digital Anvil and published by Microsoft Game Studios. The game was initially announced by Chris Roberts in 1999, and following many production schedule mishaps and a buyout of Digital Anvil by Microsoft, it was eventually...
(2003)(voice) - Orillion - Planescape: TormentPlanescape: TormentPlanescape: Torment is a computer role-playing game developed for Windows by Black Isle Studios and released on December 12, 1999 by Interplay Entertainment. It takes place in Planescape, an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy campaign setting...
(1999)(voice) - The Nameless One
External links
- Michael T. Weiss Fine Art Website
- Jarod's Safe House: A Michael T. Weiss Archive
- Ask Dr. Mike
- Michael T. Weiss at the Internet Off-Broadway Database