Michael Rooker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Rooker
Rooker in 2024
Born	(1955-04-06) April 6, 1955 (age 70) Jasper, Alabama, U.S.
Education	DePaul University (BFA)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1986–present
Spouse(s)	Margot Rooker ​ (m. 1979)​
Children	2
Signature

Michael Rooker (born April 6, 1955) is an American actor. He is known for playing characters who are often tough or villains.

He first became famous for his role in the movie Henry: Portrait of a ... (1986). Many people also know him as Merle Dixon in the TV show The Walking Dead (2010–2013). He also played Yondu Udonta in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies (2014, 2017, 2023).

Michael Rooker often works with director James Gunn. He has appeared in many of Gunn's films. These include Slither (2006), Super (2010), and The Suicide Squad (2021).

He has also had important roles in other movies. Some of these are Eight Men Out (1988), Mississippi Burning (1988), Days of Thunder (1990), and Cliffhanger (1993). He also appeared in Tombstone (1993) and F9 (2021).

Early life and education

Michael Rooker was born on April 6, 1955, in Jasper, Alabama. He grew up with nine brothers and sisters. When he was 13, his parents divorced. He then moved to Chicago, Illinois, with his mother and siblings.

In Chicago, he went to Wells Community Academy High School. He later studied acting at the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University.

Acting career

Michael Rooker started his acting career in 1986. He was performing in a play when its director told him about a film role. This role was for the movie Henry: Portrait of a.... Rooker wanted to act in a film to challenge himself.

Henry was a big success with critics. This helped Rooker get more film roles. He then took on serious roles in movies like Eight Men Out and JFK. He became very well-known for his parts in action and thriller films. These included Sea of Love, Days of Thunder, and Cliffhanger.

In June 2010, Rooker announced on Twitter that he would join the TV show The Walking Dead. He played Merle Dixon, a survivor in a zombie apocalypse. He appeared in a few episodes at first. Later, he became a regular character in the third season.

Rooker has also lent his voice and acting to video games. He played himself in Call of Duty: Black Ops. He was Mike Harper in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. He also played Merle in The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, a game based on the TV series.

In 2014, he played Yondu Udonta in the Marvel Studios movie Guardians of the Galaxy. He returned as Yondu in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022). In 2021, he also appeared in the action film F9.

Personal life

Michael Rooker lives in California with his wife, Margot. They got married in 1979. They have two daughters together. He also practices Kyokushin, a style of karate.

Filmography

Rooker at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, in character as Yondu from Guardians of the Galaxy

Film

Television

Video games

See also

In Spanish: Michael Rooker para niños