Michael J. Pollard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael J. Pollard
Pollard on a 1967 film poster
Born	Michael John Pollack Jr. (1939-05-30)May 30, 1939 Passaic, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	November 20, 2019(2019-11-20) (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education	Montclair Academy Actors Studio
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1958–2012
Spouse(s)	Beth Howland ​ ​ (m. 1961; div. 1969)​ Annie Tolstoy ​ (divorced)​ Mindy Jasmine ​ ​ (m. 1972; div. 1976)​
Children	2

Michael J. Pollard (born Michael John Pollack Jr.; May 30, 1939 – November 20, 2019) was an American actor. He was best known for his role as C.W. Moss in the famous movie Bonnie and Clyde (1967). This role made him very popular and earned him nominations for big awards like an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. He also won a BAFTA Award for being a promising new actor.

Early Life and Family

Michael J. Pollard was born in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1939. He grew up in nearby towns like Garfield and Clifton. His parents, Sonia and Michael John Pollack, were of Polish background.

Michael went to Montclair Academy (now Montclair Kimberley Academy) and later studied acting at the Actors Studio in New York.

He was married to actress Beth Howland and they had a daughter named Holly. He also had a son, Axel, from another marriage to Annie Tolstoy.

Acting Career

Starting Out in TV

Michael Pollard began his acting career on television in 1959. He appeared in shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, where he played different small roles. He also had a main part in a TV version of the book The Human Comedy.

Later that year, he appeared in an episode of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He played Jerome Krebs, a cousin to a main character.

Broadway and More TV Roles

In 1960, Michael played Hugo Peabody in the original Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie.

He continued to appear in many TV shows. In 1962, he was in The Andy Griffith Show as Virgil, a shy but talented cousin. In 1963, he played Digby Popham in the Walt Disney family movie Summer Magic, alongside Hayley Mills.

He also appeared in western shows like Gunsmoke and comedies like The Lucy Show. In 1966, he was in the spy series I Spy and the movie The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming. In this movie, he played an airplane mechanic.

Michael was known for being a bit shorter (about five feet, six inches tall). This helped him play younger characters even when he was in his thirties. He also appeared in an episode of Lost In Space as a mysterious boy.

Becoming a Movie Star

In 1967, Michael Pollard got a big role as C.W. Moss in the movie Bonnie and Clyde. He acted alongside famous stars like Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. This role made him very famous and earned him nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also won a BAFTA Award for being a promising new actor.

Because of his fame, he even had a fun, joking campaign in 1968 to be President of the United States. A song called "Michael J. Pollard for President" was even recorded!

Later Film and TV Roles

In the 1970s, Michael continued acting. He starred in the motorcycle racing movie Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1970) with Robert Redford. He also had a key role in the 1980 movie Melvin and Howard.

In the late 1980s, he appeared in several popular films:

• In 1987, he played Andy, a curious firefighter, in Roxanne with Steve Martin.
• In 1988, he played Herman, a homeless man, in the Christmas movie Scrooged starring Bill Murray.
• In 1989, he was in Tango & Cash, playing an inventor of cool weapons and a super car.
• He also played the character Mr. Mxyzptlk in two episodes of the Superboy TV show.

In 1990, Michael played Bug Bailey in the popular movie Dick Tracy. He continued to work in films and TV shows into the 2000s. One of his later roles was "Stucky" in the 2003 movie House of 1000 Corpses.

Death

Michael J. Pollard passed away on November 20, 2019, at the age of 80. He died from cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, California.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Michael J. Pollard para niños