Michael Chiklis

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Michael Chiklis
Michael Chiklis.jpg
Chiklis, May 2007
Born Michael Charles Chiklis
(1963-08-30) August 30, 1963 (age 49)
Lowell, Massachusetts
United States
Other names Mr. Chiklis
Occupation actor, voice actor, director and television producer
Years active 1989 – present
Spouse(s) Michelle (1992–present)
Website
www.michaelchiklis.com

Michael Charles Chiklis (born August 30, 1963) is an American actor, director and television producer. Some of the previous roles for which he is best known include Commissioner Tony Scali on the ABC police drama The Commish, LAPD Detective Vic Mackey on the FX police drama The Shield, the Thing in the Fantastic Four film series, and Jim Powell on the ABC science-fiction comedy-drama No Ordinary Family. He also co-starred as Vincent Savino in the CBS Crime drama Vegas.

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Early life[edit]

Michael Chiklis was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. His mother, Katherine (née Vousboukis), is a hospital administrative aide, and his father, Charlie Chiklis, runs a hair/beauty salon.[1][2] Chiklis has been described as inheriting his acting ability from his mother.[3] His father is a second-generation Greek American (his paternal ancestors came from Lesbos)[4] and his mother is of Greek and Irish descent.[5] Chiklis grew up in Andover, Massachusetts[6] and began entertaining his family with celebrity imitations when he was five years old. As a child, Chiklis appeared in regional theater productions and became a member of the Actors' Equity Association at age thirteen. In the ninth grade, he portrayed Hawkeye Pierce in Andover High School's production of M*A*S*H.[6] He later attended Boston University College of Fine Arts,[7] where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts.[8]

At age 20, Chiklis shaved his head to look like he had male-pattern baldness for his role as a 65-year-old man in You Can't Take It With You. Instead of using powder on his head (as he did on his face), he used greasepaint, and he failed to remove it properly at the end of each day. This killed the hair follicles on his head, essentially shaping his career in many ways.[9] Chiklis has said in an NPR interview that this was a very traumatic experience as a young actor, and is the reason he wore a hairpiece in Wired.

Career[edit]

After graduation, Chiklis moved to Brooklyn, New York City and was cast in the role of John Belushi in the controversial biopic Wired in 1989.[10] The film was panned in general and flopped at the box office.[11] He also guest starred in several popular television series such as Miami Vice, B.L. Stryker, Wiseguy, L.A. Law, Murphy Brown, and Seinfeld alongside bit parts in films like Nixon.

Chiklis's first successful role was in The Commish, a police comedy/drama that ran from 1991-1996 on ABC. Chiklis played Anthony "Tony" J. Scali, a police commissioner in a small city in upstate New York. A stern but lovable father figure, Chiklis's character had an easygoing style, smart wit, and an unorthodox approach to parenthood and police work. After The Commish, Chiklis starred in the short-lived and critically panned NBC sitcom Daddio.

After playing Curly Howard in a television movie about the Three Stooges, Chiklis decided to reinvent his image. With his wife's help, he spent six months on an extensive workout regimen and shaved his head. He turned up to audition for The Shield looking nothing like the pudgy, friendly character of The Commish. Winning over creator Shawn Ryan, Chiklis nabbed the leading role of the show's anti-hero, LAPD Detective Vic Mackey. Although The Shield was extremely controversial because of its violent content, Chiklis's performance was highly praised. His first major recognition came when he won the 2002 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series for the role. Chiklis received a Golden Globe Award that same year for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series-Drama as well. Between 2004 and 2005, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Series but did not win. Chiklis later parodied his role as Vic Mackey in "Monstourage," an episode of Robot Chicken. The skit involved Mackey accidentally switching places with Ben Grimm.

Since 2000, Chiklis has taken up a number of voice roles, voicing Chihiro's father, Akio, in the English dub of Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away and Roman/King Webster in the direct-to-video feature The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina. He has also performed in several episodes of Family Guy and had a voice role in Heavy Gear: The Animated Series.

In 2005, he starred in Fantastic Four as Thing and reprised the role in its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Being a fan of the comic book series, he had dreamed of playing the character if ever there was a Fantastic Four movie being produced. Chiklis was often praised for his performance in a film that otherwise earned mixed reviews. His wife visited him on set during the filming but was not aware that he would be in his full bodysuit and makeup as The Thing; she was totally unprepared for seeing him like that and found it very distressing, having to be guided from the set in order to collect herself.

Chiklis had a role in the 2008 film Eagle Eye as the United States Secretary of Defense.

In the wake of Bernard Madoff scandal, Chiklis is developing a series at FX about a similar investment scheme. The project, called House of Cards, concerns a group committing an elaborate scam similar to the Madoff fraud. Chiklis had been developing the project since February 2008 after he and his wife became victims of a Ponzi scheme themselves. Cards will likely center on the leader of the scheme, with Chiklis planning to executive produce but not star.[12]

Chiklis later starred in the ABC television series No Ordinary Family, which premiered on September 28, 2010,[13] as part of the 2010-11 television season[14] and ended in April, 2011.[15] He also co-starred in the CBS Crime drama Vegas.

Amir Blumenfeld made reference to Michael in an episode of College Humor's Jake and Amir, mentioning that he would go "dickless for Michael Chiklis". This boosted his reputation as a person who people would willingly lose their genitals for. [16]

Personal life[edit]

Chiklis married Michelle Epstein on June 21, 1992, and they have two daughters: Autumn, born on October 9, 1993, and Odessa, born in 1999.[17] Autumn played Vic Mackey's daughter Cassidy on The Shield.[18]

A lifelong comic book fan, he rarely turns down an autograph request from children.[19] In fact, according to the DVD commentary for the Fantastic Four film, his voice has been going hoarse from doing The Thing's voice so many times; in Chiklis's own words:

How do you say "no" to an 8-year-old?

Chiklis is a fan of both the Boston Red Sox[20] and the Boston Bruins,[21] was interviewed for the HBO documentary The Curse of the Bambino about the Red Sox's long struggle to win the World Series,[22] and narrated the video introduction of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.[23]

He is also an accomplished musician, specializing in drums and vocals but also playing guitar and bass.[3] A member of several performing bands in the Boston area such as The Surgeon General, Best Kept Secret and Double Talk.[3] He has starred and produced films through his own production company called Extravaganza.[3][24]

In 2011, Michael Chiklis and his band MCB released their first single "Til I Come Home", a tribune song to the soldiers overseas.[25] The song has been critically acclaimed world wide and was used in the TV series Modern Family in 2011.[26] MCB's prior music was another single, Make Me High written for the independent film High School, starring Chiklis, Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks and Matt Bush, single released spring 2011.[27]

Philanthropy[edit]

Chiklis has participated in celebrity Texas Hold 'Em tournaments to benefit comedian Brad Garrett's charity foundation, Maximum Hope.[28] Michael has worked closely with many different charities over the years including The Children's Lifesaving Foundation,[29] Alzheimer's Association,[30] Autism Speaks[31] and the Revlon Run Walk.[32]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Primetime Emmy Awards

  • 2002 Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series[33]
  • 2003 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series[34]

Golden Globe Awards

  • 2002 Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series[35]
  • 2003 Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series[36]
  • 2004 Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series[37]

Satellite Awards

  • 2002 Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series
  • 2003 Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series

Screen Actors Guild Awards

  • 2003 Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series[38]

Ewwy Awards

  • 2009 Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series[39]

Filmography[edit]

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1989 Miami Vice NYPD Detective Jeffrey Whitehead (TV series, 1 episode: "The Lost Madonna")
1989 B.L. Stryker Unknown (TV series, 1 episode: "Blues for Buder")
1989 Wired John Belushi
1989 Wiseguy Carlo Spoletta (TV series, 5 episodes)
1990 The Rain Killer Reese
1990 Murphy Brown Tony Rocket (TV series, 1 episode: "Brown and Blue")
1990-1991 L.A. Law Jimmy Hoffs (TV series, 2 episodes)
1991 Seinfeld Steve (TV series, 1 episode: "The Stranded")
1995 Nixon TV Director
1991-1996 The Commish Tony Scali (TV series, 92 episodes)
1998 Body and Soul Tiny O'Toole
1998 Touched by an Angel Matt Colletti (TV series, 1 episode: "Breaking Bread")
1998 Taxman Andre Rubakov
1998 Soldier Jimmy Pig
1999 Carlo's Wake Marco
1999 St. Michael's Crossing Benjamin Arensen
1999 Last Request Victim Short film
1999 Do Not Disturb Hartman
2000 The Three Stooges Curly Television movie
2000 Daddio Chris Woods (TV series, 9 episodes)
2000-2001 Family Guy Various characters (TV series, 5 episodes)
2001 Heavy Gear: The Animated Series Lt. Jan Agusta
2001 Spirited Away Chihiro's father
2002 The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina King Webster
2002-2008 The Shield Detective Vic Mackey (TV series, 89 episodes)
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Television Series Drama
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Satellite Award for Best Actor - Television Series Drama
TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama
Nominated-Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Television Series Drama (2004, 2005)
Nominated-Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Nominated-Satellite Award for Best Actor - Television Series Drama
Nominated-Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
2005 Fantastic Four Ben Grimm Nominated-MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team
2006 Stuart Little: The Animated Series Tiger (TV series, 1 episode: "No Job is Too Little")
2007 Rise: Blood Hunter Clyde Rawlins
2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Ben Grimm
2008 Eagle Eye Defense Secretary Callister
2008 Robot Chicken Detective Vic Mackey (TV series, 4 episodes)
2008 The Legend of Secret Pass Calabar
2010-2011 No Ordinary Family Jim Powell (TV series, 20 episodes)
2010 High School Dr. Leslie Gordon
2012-2013 Vegas Vincent Savino (TV series, 21 episodes)
2013 Parker Melander
2013 Pawn Derrick

References[edit]

  1. ^ Michael Chiklis Biography (1963-)
  2. ^ Bickelhaupt, Susan (November 15, 1994). "Mother knows best". Boston Globe. 
  3. ^ a b c d Susan Karlin, Vincent McMahon (November/December 1999). "Michael Chiklis: Hollywood Survivor". Cigar Aficionado. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  4. ^ Good Cop, Bald Cop Article on Maxim.com :: Hot Girls, Babes, Sex, Photos, Videos, Gear, Entertainment
  5. ^ "Twitter / MichaelChiklis: I know everyone thinks of me". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2012-10-30. 
  6. ^ a b Lucas, Drake (June 28, 2008). "Michael Chiklis gets his day in Andover". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  7. ^ "BU alums Michael Chiklis and Gary Fleder on the set of CBS’s new series "Vegas"". bu.edu. August 23, 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012. 
  8. ^ "School of Theatre Distinguished Awards". bu.edu. Retrieved 30 October 2012. 
  9. ^ Kaufman, Joanne (September 24, 2012). "Heavy Opportunities". online.wsj.com. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  10. ^ Stone, Stone (May 17, 1995). "Michael Chiklis: The show that could". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  11. ^ "`Wired,' film adaptation of Belushi's life, has two good mimics, one bad plot". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. August 28, 1989. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  12. ^ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i213af1e960abb3d8de7eb6c944521172.  Missing or empty |title= (help)[dead link]
  13. ^ Ram, Archana (September 28, 2010). "'No Ordinary Family' premieres tonight: Will you be watching?". ew.com. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  14. ^ Rice, Lynette (May 12, 2010). "Breaking: ABC picks up 'No Ordinary Family' starring Michael Chikilis". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 12, 2010. 
  15. ^ Gorman, Bill (May 13, 2011). "Updated: 'V' Cancelled; 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'Mr. Sunshine,' 'Detroit 187,' 'Off The Map,' 'No Ordinary Family' Cancelled Too". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  16. ^ http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6777442/jake-and-amir-reddit
  17. ^ IMDB Biography of Mike Chiklis
  18. ^ "CHIKLIS BANS DAUGHTER FROM WATCHING HER OWN SHOW". contactmusic.com. March 24, 2004. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  19. ^ Biography for Michael Chiklis at the Internet Movie Database
  20. ^ "'Shield' star moves on to bigger Thing". TimesDaily. July 1, 2005. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  21. ^ Bobbin, Jay (June 9, 2011). "Boston Bruins fan Michael Chiklis watching Stanley Cup Finals 'like a hawk'". zap2it.com. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  22. ^ Jurkowitz, Mark (September 16, 2003). "HBO takes a powerful swing at explaining Sox' sad history". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  23. ^ Wilson, Dave. "Michael Chiklis: No ordinary Boston sports fan". espn.go.com. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  24. ^ Fernandez, Jay A. (December 1, 2011). "Nikki Reed, Sean Faris Join Michael Chiklis' 'Pawn'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  25. ^ "Michael Chiklis to Release Debut Single". hollywoodreporter.com. February 7, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  26. ^ Rice, Lynette (February 22, 2011). "'No Ordinary Family' scoop: Michael Chiklis sings!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  27. ^ Gayle Fee, Laura Raposa, Megan Johnson (May 29, 2012). "Michael Chiklis’ ‘high’ school buzz". 
  28. ^ GreekOrthodox.com Famous Greeks Profile of Mike Chiklis
  29. ^ Tate, Laura (June 4, 2008). "Children's Lifesaving Foundation celebrates 15 years". The Malibu Times. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  30. ^ Gans, Andrew (February 16, 2006). "Alexander, Kazan, Devine, Garber, Gets, Luft, Mullally and More Set for Funny Girl Benefit". playbill.com. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  31. ^ "National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon". greeknewsonline.com. November 26, 2007. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  32. ^ "The Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk For Women Celebrates 14 Years in Los Angeles on May 12". prnewswire.com. April 10, 2007. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  33. ^ Grossberg, Josh (September 23, 2002). "FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, September 23, 2002". eonline.com. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  34. ^ Gans, Andrew (playbill.com). "2003 Emmy Nominations Announced; Newman Nominated for Our Town". Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  35. ^ "2002 Was A Fashionable Year In Many Ways". Times-Union (Warsaw). January 11, 2003. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  36. ^ Messenger, Brian (June 26, 2008). "Keys to the town for Michael Chiklis: Andover's own TV bad boy to be honored tomorrow". Andover Townsman. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  37. ^ "2004 Golden Globe Awards nominees". USA Today. Associated Press. December 13, 2004. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  38. ^ Saunders, Dusty (September 30, 2003). "MORE OF DUSTY SAUNDERS' EMMY AWARD PICKS". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 
  39. ^ "The Shield, Michael Chiklis". ew.com. September 8, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2012. 

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