Michael Des Barres facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael Des Barres |
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Des Barres in 2017
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Phillips Des Barres |
| Born | 24 January 1948 Hove, Sussex, England |
| Origin | London, England |
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| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1960–present |
Michael Philip Des Barres, born on January 24, 1948, is an English actor and pop singer. He is known for playing Murdoc in the original MacGyver TV show. He also appeared as Lenny Stokes in Lois & Clark and as Nicholas Helman in the newer MacGyver series. In 1985, he became the lead singer for the band the Power Station and performed with them at the famous Live Aid concert.
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Early Life and Family History
Michael Philip Des Barres grew up in Hove, Sussex, England. He was the only child of Marquis Philip and Marquise Irene Des Barres. He went to a boarding school called Repton School in Derbyshire. Later, he studied drama at the Corona Academy in London and acted in several plays.
Michael has some French family roots. His family title, Marquis, was given to one of his ancestors, Guillaume II Des Barres. Guillaume II was a French knight who saved King Philip II of France during the Battle of Bouvines in 1214.
Career Highlights
Music Journey
Michael Des Barres began his music career in 1972 with the glam rock band Silverhead in England. They released two albums before breaking up in 1974.
After Silverhead, Des Barres moved to Los Angeles. There, he formed the band Detective. This band was signed to Led Zeppelin's record label, Swan Song Records. He had met Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin after a Silverhead show.
In 1982, after Detective broke up, Des Barres formed Chequered Past. In 1983, he helped write the song "Obsession" with Holly Knight. The band Animotion later had a big hit with their version of the song in 1984.
In 1985, Michael Des Barres joined the Power Station as their lead singer. This happened when Robert Palmer left the band before their American tour.
On November 5, 2013, the Michael Des Barres Band released a live album called Hot n Sticky Live. In 2015, Des Barres released a solo album, The Key to the Universe. He worked with Nigel Harrison (from Blondie) and Clive Deamer (from Radiohead) on this album.
In 2018, he started a new band called The Mistakes. They have released several songs and are signed to Steven Van Zandt's Wicked Cool Records.
Acting Roles
Michael Des Barres has acted in over 100 TV shows and nearly 30 movies. He started acting at age 8 in advertisements. His first credited movie role was in the 1967 film To Sir, with Love. He played a student who always wore sunglasses.
Later, he focused more on acting again. He appeared in Ghoulies (1985) and Nightflyers (1987). He also worked with Clint Eastwood in the 1989 movie Pink Cadillac. Other films include Under Siege (1992) and Mulholland Drive (2001).
On television, besides playing Murdoc in MacGyver, he was a main actor in The New WKRP in Cincinnati. He also appeared on the original WKRP in Cincinnati as a punk band singer. He had roles in popular shows like Seinfeld, ALF, Ellen, Nip/Tuck, Frasier, Bones, and NCIS.
In 2013, Des Barres performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a special show called 200 Motels: The Suites.
Radio Work
Michael Des Barres hosts "The Michael Des Barres Program" on Little Steven's Underground Garage radio station (SiriusXM Channel 21). He plays a mix of rock, soul, and punk music.
Documentary Film
In 2021, a documentary about Michael Des Barres was released. It is called Who Do You Want Me To Be and was directed by J. Elvis Weinstein.
Personal Life
In 1974, Michael Des Barres married actress Wendy Hamilton. They later divorced.
From 1977 to 1991, he was married to Pamela Des Barres. They have a son named Nicholas Des Barres, who is a writer and video game designer.
Michael Des Barres has been involved in charity work, including helping homeless teens. He also organizes and hosts the annual Don't Knock the Rock Film Festival, which started in 2003.
On December 21, 2018, Michael Des Barres married Britta Hayertz.
Discography
Studio Albums
- I'm Only Human (1980)
- Somebody Up There Likes Me (1986)
- The Key to the Universe (2015)
With Silverhead
- Silverhead (1972)
- 16 and Savaged (1973)
- Live at the Rainbow (1975)
With Detective
- Detective (1977)
- It Takes One to Know One (1977)
- Live from the Atlantic Studios (1978)
With Chequered Past
- Chequered Past (1984)
With the Michael Des Barres Band
- Carnaby Street (2012)
- Hot n Sticky Live (2013)
Filmography
Film Roles (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | To Sir, with Love | Williams |
| 1985 | Ghoulies | Malcolm Graves |
| 1989 | Pink Cadillac | Alex |
| 1992 | Under Siege | Domiani |
| 1999 | Sugar Town | Nick |
| 2001 | Mulholland Drive | Billy |
| 2004 | Catch That Kid | Brisbane |
Television Roles (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | WKRP in Cincinnati | Dog w/ Scum Of The Earth | Episode: "Hoodlum Rock" |
| 1987–1991 | MacGyver | Murdoc | Recurring role |
| 1991–1993 | The New WKRP in Cincinnati | Jack Allen | Recurring role |
| 1993 | Seinfeld | Restaurateur | Episode: "The Smelly Car" |
| 1994 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Lenny Stoke | Episode: "Wall of Sound" |
| 1996–1997 | Melrose Place | Arthur Field | Recurring role |
| 2004 | Frasier | Georges | Episode: "And Frasier Makes Three" |
| 2010 | Bones | Simon Graham | Episode: "The Rocker in the Rinse Cycle" |
| 2012 | NCIS | Del Finney | Episode: "Phoenix" |
| 2018–2019 | MacGyver | Nicholas Helman | 2 episodes |
Music Videos
| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Moves like Jagger" | Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera | Man on Stage |
See also
In Spanish: Michael Des Barres para niños
