Michael Cera facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Cera
Cera in 2023
Born	Michael Austin Cera (1988-06-07) June 7, 1988 (age 37) Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Occupation	Actor comedian musician
Years active	1999–present
Spouse(s)	Nadine
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Lo-fi indie folk
Instruments	Vocals bass

Michael Austin Cera (born June 7, 1988) is a Canadian actor, comedian, and musician. He is known for his roles in many popular films and TV shows. Michael has been nominated for several awards, including a British Academy Film Award and a Tony Award.

He became famous for playing lead roles in comedies like Superbad (2007), Juno (2007), and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010). He also had important supporting roles in movies such as Barbie (2023). Michael also lent his voice to characters like Dick Grayson/Robin in The Lego Batman Movie (2017).

On television, Michael Cera is well-known for playing George Michael Bluth in the comedy series Arrested Development from 2003 to 2019. He also voiced Brother Bear in the children's series The Berenstain Bears. More recently, he reprised his role as Scott Pilgrim in the Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023).

Besides acting, Michael Cera has performed on Broadway in plays like Lobby Hero (2018), for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. He is also a musician and released his first album, True That, in 2014.

Early Life and Acting Start

Michael Cera was born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. His parents, Linda and Luigi Cera, both worked for Xerox. He has an older sister, Jordan, and a younger sister, Molly. Michael became interested in acting when he was three years old after watching the movie Ghostbusters many times. He loved Bill Murray and even memorized all the lines from the movie.

To learn more about acting, he took improvisation classes at The Second City in Toronto. Michael attended regular schools until ninth grade. After he started acting more, he finished his schooling online.

Career Highlights

First Roles and Breakthrough

Michael Cera's very first acting job was in a commercial for a summer camp. This led to another commercial where he had his first lines. In 1999, he got a role as Larrabe Hicks in the children's TV show I Was a Sixth Grade Alien. That same year, he appeared in TV movies like Switching Goals with the Olsen twins.

In 2000, Michael made his first movie appearance in the science fiction film Frequency. He also had a main role in the IMAX film Ultimate G's: Zac's Flying Dream. From 2001 to 2004, he voiced Josh Spitz in the animated series Braceface.

In 2002, Michael played a younger version of Chuck Barris in the film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. He also voiced Brother Bear in The Berenstain Bears animated series, which started in 2003.

Cera in 2007

Michael successfully auditioned for the TV show Arrested Development, which began in 2003. He played George Michael Bluth, a teenage son in a funny, dysfunctional family. The show was very popular with critics, even though it was canceled in 2006.

In 2007, Michael Cera starred with Jonah Hill in the teen comedy Superbad. The movie was a big hit and Michael's performance was highly praised. Critics said he perfectly captured what it's like to be a shy teenager.

Later in 2007, he co-starred in Juno as Paulie Bleeker. For his work in Superbad and Juno, Michael won the Breakthrough Artist award from the Austin Film Critics Association. He was also named one of Entertainment Weekly's "30 Under 30" in 2008.

Continuing Success and Stage Work

In 2008, Michael starred with Kat Dennings in the romantic comedy Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. He also had a recurring voice role in the comedy series Childrens Hospital from 2008 to 2016.

Cera dressed as Captain America to promote Scott Pilgrim vs. the World at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con

In 2009, Michael played a fictional version of himself in the romantic comedy Paper Heart. He also starred with Jack Black in the comedy Year One. Later that year, he starred in Youth in Revolt, playing a shy teenager who creates a confident alter ego.

Michael Cera was chosen to play Scott Pilgrim in the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010). The director, Edgar Wright, felt Michael could make audiences connect with the character. The movie follows Scott Pilgrim as he battles his girlfriend's seven evil exes.

In 2012, Michael made his theater debut in the play This Is Our Youth in Sydney, Australia. He later performed in a Broadway production of the same play in 2014. Critics praised his performance.

Arrested Development was brought back by Netflix for a fourth season in 2013, and Michael returned as George Michael Bluth. He also helped write and produce some episodes.

Michael worked on two films in Chile in 2013: Magic Magic and Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus. He even spent five hours a day learning Spanish for Magic Magic. He also played an exaggerated version of himself in the comedy film This Is the End (2013).

Recent Projects and Music

In 2017, Michael Cera had several film releases. He voiced Robin in The Lego Batman Movie. He also played a supporting role in the comedy How to Be a Latin Lover. He starred with Abbi Jacobson in the drama Person to Person. Later that year, he appeared in the crime drama Molly's Game.

Michael also made a guest appearance in the 2017 revival of the TV show Twin Peaks. In 2018, he returned to Broadway in the play Lobby Hero, earning a nomination for a Tony Award. He then starred in another Broadway play, The Waverly Gallery, later that year.

In 2023, Michael Cera starred alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the fantasy comedy film Barbie, playing the character Allan. He also voiced Scott Pilgrim again in the animated series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.

Cera performing in 2011

Michael Cera is also a talented musician. In 2010, he played mandolin and sang backing vocals on the Weezer song "Hang On." He is the touring bass player for the indie rock band Mister Heavenly and a member of the band The Long Goodbye. He released his first full album, True That, in 2014.

Personal Life

Michael Cera keeps his personal life private. In 2022, it was revealed that he became a father to a son with his wife, Nadine. In early 2024, he announced that they had welcomed a second son. As of August 2023, Michael Cera lives in Brooklyn, New York City.

Filmography

Film

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

Theatre

Discography

Studio albums

• True That (2014)

Soundtrack

• Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2010)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Michael Cera para niños

• List of former child actors from Canada
• Italians in Toronto