Michael Boatman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Boatman
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Boatman in 2013
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| Born |
Michael Patrick Boatman
October 25, 1964 |
| Occupation | Actor, writer |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Myrna Forney
(m. 1992) |
| Children | 4 |
Michael Patrick Boatman (born October 25, 1964) is an American actor and writer. He is famous for his roles in popular television shows. Many people know him as Carter Heywood, an aide to the mayor of New York City, in the comedy series Spin City.
He also played U.S. Army Specialist Samuel Beckett in the drama series China Beach. In movies, he played a soldier named Motown in Hamburger Hill. He was also the sports agent Stanley Babson in the HBO show Arli$$. More recently, he starred in the legal drama The Good Fight.
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Early Life and School
Michael Boatman was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His mother, Gwendolyn Boatman Pugh, helped people with disabilities find jobs. His father, Daniel Boatman, was an officer in the army. Michael grew up in Chicago.
He went to Western Illinois University, where he studied acting. In 1997, the university gave him a special "Alumni Achievement Award" for his success.
Success in College Theater
While in college, Boatman acted in many plays. He played characters like Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream and the lead role in Purlie Victorious. He was also part of a student comedy group called Shock Treatment.
During his last year of college, Boatman won the important Irene Ryan theater award for best supporting actor. He received the award at a national competition held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Acting Career
In 1986, Boatman moved to Chicago to continue his acting studies. Soon after, he earned the role of "Motown" in the Vietnam War movie Hamburger Hill. This was a big step in his career. He also appeared in the movie Running on Empty and a TV film for American Playhouse.
Major Television Roles
In 1988, Boatman was cast in the TV drama China Beach. For three seasons, he played Samuel Beckett, a soldier who worked in a mortuary during the Vietnam War.
From 1996 to 2002, he had two major roles at the same time. He played Carter Heywood on the ABC comedy Spin City. His character was a city hall worker with a strong personality. For this role, he was nominated for five NAACP Image Awards. He also won a GLAAD award, which honors fair and accurate portrayals of people in the media.
During the same years, he also starred in the HBO series Arli$$. He played Stanley Babson, a very careful and organized chief financial officer. This role earned him four more nominations for an Image Award.
Later Work in TV and Film
Boatman has appeared in many movies, including The Peacemaker with George Clooney and Nicole Kidman. He also narrated a part of the HBO documentary Unchained Memories, which shared stories from formerly enslaved people.
He has been a guest star on many popular TV shows, such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Scrubs, CSI: Miami, and Grey's Anatomy.
From 2009 to 2015, he played the lawyer Julius Cain on the show The Good Wife. He later played the same character as a main cast member in the spin-off series The Good Fight from 2017 to 2022. He also had a recurring role on Anger Management, where he acted alongside his former Spin City co-star, Charlie Sheen.
Writing Career
Besides acting, Michael Boatman is also a talented writer. He writes novels and short stories, often in the horror genre. His scary stories have been praised for being creative and exciting.
His short stories have been included in many collections. He has also been published in magazines like Weird Tales. His first collection of short stories was published in 2007. He also wrote a humorous horror novel called The Revenant Road, which was released in 2009.
Notable Roles
Film
- Hamburger Hill (1987) as Specialist Ray Motown
- Running on Empty (1988) as Spaulding
- The Glass Shield (1994) as Deputy J.J. Johnson
- The Peacemaker (1997) as Lieutenant Beach
- Woman Thou Art Loosed (2004) as Todd
- Second Act (2018) as Edward Taylor
Television
- China Beach (1988–91) as Pvt. Samuel Beckett
- The Jackie Thomas Show (1992–93) as Grant Watson
- Spin City (1996–2002) as Carter Haywood
- Arli$$ (1996–2002) as Stanley Babson
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2003–11) as Defense Attorney Dave Seaver
- The Good Wife (2009–15) as Julius Cain
- Gossip Girl (2011) as Russell Thorpe
- Anger Management (2012–14) as Michael
- Instant Mom (2013–15) as Charlie Phillips
- Madam Secretary (2016–17) as FBI Director Keith Doherty
- The Good Fight (2017–22) as Julius Cain
See also
In Spanish: Michael Boatman para niños
