Michael Murphy (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Murphy
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Murphy at the
2006 Toronto International Film Festival |
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| Born |
Michael George Murphy
May 5, 1938 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
Michael George Murphy (born May 5, 1938) is an American actor who has starred in many films, TV shows, and plays. He is known for playing characters who are often in charge, like politicians, business leaders, or doctors, but who sometimes aren't always the "good guys."
Murphy worked a lot with famous director Robert Altman. He appeared in twelve of Altman's projects, including the TV miniseries Tanner '88, which won an Emmy Award. You might also recognize him from movies like M*A*S*H (1970), What's Up, Doc? (1972), Nashville (1975), Manhattan (1979), Batman Returns (1992), and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).
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Early life and education
Michael Murphy was born in Los Angeles, California. His mother, Georgia Arlyn, was a teacher, and his father, Bearl Branton Murphy, was a salesman.
After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps near the end of the Korean War, Murphy went to college. He studied at the University of Arizona and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Before becoming an actor, he taught English and drama at University High School (Los Angeles).
Acting career
Murphy is famous for several roles. He played Martin, the husband in An Unmarried Woman (1978), and Yale, the best friend in Woody Allen's Manhattan (1979). He also played the Mayor of Gotham City in Batman Returns (1992). Later, he was in Magnolia (1999) as a lawyer named Alan Kligman. In X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), he played Warren Worthington II, the human father of the mutant Angel.
One of his most notable roles was Jack Tanner in the 1988 TV miniseries Tanner '88, which was created by Garry Trudeau and Robert Altman. He played this character again in the 2004 follow-up miniseries Tanner on Tanner.
Working with Robert Altman
Michael Murphy worked very often with director Robert Altman. Besides Tanner '88, he appeared in many other Altman films. These include M*A*S*H (1970), where he played Captain Ezekiel Bradbury "Me Lay" Marston V, and Brewster McCloud (1970). He was also in Nashville (1975) and McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971).
Other film and TV roles
Murphy has appeared in many other films. Some of these include Count Yorga, Vampire (1970), The Front (1976), The Year of Living Dangerously (1983), Cloak & Dagger (1984), and Salvador (1986). More recently, he was in White House Down (2013) and They Came Together (2014).
While he often plays supporting characters, Murphy has also had lead roles. He starred in the film Phase IV (1974) and Shocker (1989). In 2014, he gave an acclaimed performance in the film Fall, which earned him a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award.
On television, Murphy had leading roles in the ABC family drama Two Marriages (1983-1984) and the CBS newspaper drama Hard Copy (1987). He has also been a regular cast member on Canadian shows like the legal drama This Is Wonderland, where he played Judge Maxwell Fraser. For this role, he won two Gemini Awards. He also appeared in the American poker drama Tilt (2005) and the Canadian police drama The Bridge (2010).
Murphy has made guest appearances on many popular TV series over the years. These include Bonanza, Hogan's Heroes, Law & Order, Judging Amy, and Person of Interest.
He has also worked extensively in Canadian film and television. Some of his Canadian films include Away from Her (2006) and Indian Horse (2017).
Narrator
Beyond acting, Michael Murphy has had a successful career as a narrator for documentary films. He has narrated many episodes of the popular PBS historical documentary series The American Experience. He also narrates the public television travel series Weekends with Yankee.
Personal life
Michael Murphy was married to Canadian actress Wendy Crewson from 1988 until their divorce in 2009. They have two children, Maggie (born 1989) and John (born 1992).
Murphy currently lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
Theatre
Michael Murphy began his stage acting career in 1964 in Take Her, She's Mine in Los Angeles. He also directed a play called Rat's Nest in New York City in 1978. He has performed in various plays across the United States.
Accolades
- Mid-Lifetime Achievement Award — Winner — Maine International Film Festival (2015)
- Fall — Nominee — Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Performance in a Drama Film (2015)
- This is Wonderland — Nominee — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series (2006)
- This is Wonderland — Winner — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series (2005)
- This is Wonderland — Winner — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series (2004)
- Magnolia — Winner — Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Ensemble (2000)
- Magnolia — Winner — Golden Satellite Award Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble (2000)
- Magnolia — Winner — Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Ensemble (2000)
- Magnolia — Nominee — Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Ensemble (2000)
- Magnolia — Winner — Awards Circuit Community Award for Best Cast Ensemble (1999)
- Magnolia — Winner — National Board of Review Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble (1999)
