Michael Rooker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Rooker
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Rooker in 2024
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| Born | April 6, 1955 Jasper, Alabama, U.S.
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| Education | DePaul University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Margot Rooker
(m. 1979) |
| Children | 2 |
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Michael Rooker (born April 6, 1955) is an American actor. He is well-known for playing characters who are often tough or challenging. He became famous for his first main role in the movie Henry: Portrait of a ... (1986).
Michael Rooker is also very well known for playing Merle Dixon in the TV show The Walking Dead. He was on the show from 2010 to 2013. He also played Yondu Udonta in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. These include the first film in 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in 2017, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2023.
He often works with director James Gunn, who directed the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Michael Rooker has appeared in many of James Gunn's movies. These include Slither (2006), Super (2010), and The Suicide Squad (2021).
Some of his other important movie roles include Chick Gandil in Eight Men Out (1988) and Frank Bailey in Mississippi Burning (1988). He also played Hal Tucker in Cliffhanger (1993) and Jared Svenning in Mallrats (1995). More recently, he was Buddy in F9 (2021).
Early Life and Education
Michael Rooker was born in Jasper, Alabama. He grew up with nine brothers and sisters. When he was 13, his parents divorced. He then moved to Chicago with his mother and siblings. In Chicago, he went to Wells Community Academy High School. He also studied acting at the Goodman School of Drama. This school is part of DePaul University.
Acting Career Highlights
Michael Rooker started his film career in 1986. His very first movie role was the main character in Henry: Portrait of a .... ..... Michael Rooker heard about the role from a play director he was working with. He was excited to act in a film, as it seemed like a new challenge.
The movie Henry: Portrait of a ... was very successful with critics. This helped Michael Rooker get many more roles in films. He took on serious roles in movies like Eight Men Out, Mississippi Burning, and JFK. He also became well-known for his parts in action and thriller movies. These include Sea of Love, Days of Thunder, Cliffhanger, and Tombstone.
In 2010, Michael Rooker announced he would join the TV series The Walking Dead. He played the character Merle Dixon. Merle was one of the survivors in a world taken over by zombies. He appeared in a few episodes in the first two seasons. Then, he became a regular character in the third season.
Michael Rooker has also lent his voice and acting to video games. He played himself in Call of Duty: Black Ops. He was also the character Mike Harper in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. In 2013, he played Merle Dixon again in The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct. This video game was based on The Walking Dead TV show.
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 in 2017. He also voiced Yondu in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in 2022. In 2021, he 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 karate, which is a type of martial art.
Images for kids
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Rooker at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, dressed as Yondu from Guardians of the Galaxy.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Rooker para niños
