Michael Moriarty facts for kids

Michael Moriarty (born April 5, 1941) is a talented American-Canadian actor. He has won several important awards for his acting. These include an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his role in the 1978 TV series Holocaust. He also won a Tony Award in 1974 for his work in the play Find Your Way Home.

Many people know Michael Moriarty from his role as Benjamin Stone. He played this character for the first four seasons of the popular TV show Law & Order. He has also appeared in many films. Some of his well-known movies include Bang the Drum Slowly, Pale Rider, and Courage Under Fire.

Early Life and Education

Michael Moriarty was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 5, 1941. His father, George Moriarty, was a surgeon. His grandfather, also named George Moriarty, was a famous baseball player and umpire. He worked in major-league baseball for nearly 40 years.

Michael went to Cranbrook School for middle school. He then moved to the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, graduating in 1959. After high school, he studied theater at Dartmouth College. He earned his bachelor's degree there in 1963. Later, he received a Fulbright Scholarship and went to London, England. There, he studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Acting Career Highlights

Before becoming famous in movies, Michael Moriarty worked as an actor at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. In 1973, he played Henry Wiggen in the film Bang the Drum Slowly. In this movie, he acted alongside Robert De Niro. That same year, Moriarty starred in a TV movie version of The Glass Menagerie. He acted with Katharine Hepburn in this film. He won an Emmy Award for his role in The Glass Menagerie.

In 1974, Moriarty won a Tony Award for his performance in the play Find Your Way Home. His theater career was very successful. He also took on significant roles in films like Report to the Commissioner and Who'll Stop the Rain. He played Erik Dorf in the TV miniseries Holocaust, which earned him another Emmy Award. During the 1980s, he appeared in several films directed by Larry Cohen. These included Q, The Stuff, and Troll. In Troll, he played a character named Harry Potter, Sr.

Law & Order Role

From 1990 to 1994, Michael Moriarty starred as Benjamin Stone on the TV show Law & Order. He was a main character for the first four seasons. He left the show in 1994. In the story of Law & Order, his character, Ben Stone, resigned from his job. Years later, in 2018, an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit showed a funeral for Ben Stone.

Other Interests and Activities

Besides acting, Michael Moriarty is also a talented musician. He is a jazz pianist and singer. He is also a classical composer. He has recorded three jazz albums. He has performed live in New York City and Vancouver with his jazz groups. A reviewer from The New York Times once called him a "jazz pianist of considerable skill."

Moriarty is also interested in politics. He describes his views as "centrist" or "realist." He has written many political articles for an online journal. He was also part of a group called Writers and Artists for Peace in the Middle East.

Personal Life

After leaving Law & Order, Michael Moriarty moved to Canada. He lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a while and became a Canadian citizen. He later lived in Toronto before settling in Vancouver.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

See also

In Spanish: Michael Moriarty para niños