Michael York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael York
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At LACMA's Gala Opening of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum on 9 February 2008 in Los Angeles
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| Born |
Michael Hugh Johnson
27 March 1942 Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, England
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| Education | Bromley Grammar School for Boys, Hurstpierpoint College |
| Alma mater | University College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Patricia McCallum
(m. 1968) |
| Relatives | Rick McCallum (stepson) |
Michael York, born Michael Hugh Johnson on March 27, 1942, is a famous English actor. He has starred in many movies, TV shows, and plays. He became well-known after playing Tybalt in the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet.
With his blond hair, blue eyes, and polite English style, he became a leading actor in many big British and Hollywood films during the 1970s. Some of his most famous roles include D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers and its follow-up movies. He also played Logan 5 in Logan's Run. Later in his career, he was very popular as Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers movies.
Michael York has been nominated for two Emmy Awards. In 2002, he received a special star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in movies. He was also given the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1996, which is a special honor from the British Queen.
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Early Life and Education
Michael York was born in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, England. His mother, Florence Edith May Chown, was a musician. His father, Joseph Gwynne Johnson, was a Welsh businessman and a former army officer. Michael has an older sister, Penelope Anne, and younger twin sisters, Caroline and Bridget. Sadly, Bridget passed away shortly after birth. He grew up in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.
As a teenager, Michael went to Bromley Grammar School for Boys and Hurstpierpoint College. He later studied at University College, Oxford. He started acting early at a local theater called Bromley Little Theatre. He also performed with the National Youth Theatre and at Oxford University. His first acting role was in a play called The Yellow Jacket in 1956. In 1959, he made his first appearance in London's West End in a small part in Hamlet.
Acting Career Highlights
Before finishing his English degree from the University of Oxford in 1964, Michael York toured with the National Youth Theatre. He then joined the Royal National Theatre under the famous director Laurence Olivier. There, he worked with Franco Zeffirelli on a play called Much Ado About Nothing in 1965.
York made his film debut in Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew in 1967. He became widely known for his role as Tybalt in Zeffirelli's 1968 movie Romeo and Juliet. He also starred in Cabaret in 1972. In 1977, he worked with Franco Zeffirelli again, playing John the Baptist in Jesus of Nazareth.
Michael York played D'Artagnan in the 1973 movie The Three Musketeers. He later returned for two more movies in the series: The Four Musketeers and The Return of the Musketeers. He also played the main character in the science fiction film Logan's Run in 1976. In this movie, his character tries to escape a society controlled by computers.
Later Career and Voice Work
Michael York has had a very busy career in movies, TV, and theater. He appeared in the TV series Road to Avonlea as Ezekiel Crane. He also performed in many plays on Broadway, including The Crucible. He has recorded many audiobooks, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.
In 1996, York appeared in the TV show Babylon 5 as a man who thought he was King Arthur. Two years later, he actually played King Arthur in the movie A Knight in Camelot. He also voiced many characters in animated shows, such as Count Vertigo in Batman: The Animated Series and Ares in Justice League Unlimited.
York is well-known for playing Basil Exposition in all three Austin Powers movies. He also lent his voice to The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire as Petrie's uncle Pterano. In 2009, he narrated the entire Bible for an audio version called The Word of Promise Audio Bible. He also played Sherlock Holmes in the animated movie Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes.
Personal Life
Michael York met photographer Patricia McCallum in 1967 when she was taking his picture. They got married on March 27, 1968, which was Michael's 26th birthday. His stepson is Rick McCallum, who produced Star Wars and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. In 1977, Michael York was recognized for his great sense of style and was added to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame.
Health Information
In 2013, Michael York shared that he was dealing with a rare illness called amyloidosis. Doctors first thought he had bone cancer. In 2012, he had a special treatment called a stem cell transplant, which can help with the symptoms. To be closer to the Mayo Clinic for his treatment, Michael and his wife moved to Rochester, Minnesota.
Film and Television Roles
Michael York has appeared in many films and television shows. Here are some of his notable roles:
- Romeo and Juliet (1968) as Tybalt
- Cabaret (1972) as Brian Roberts
- The Three Musketeers (1973) as D'Artagnan
- Murder on the Orient Express (1974) as Count Andrenyi
- Logan's Run (1976) as Logan 5
- The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977) as Andrew Braddock
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) as Basil Exposition
- The Omega Code (1999) as Stone Alexander
- The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire (2000) as the voice of Pterano
- Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) as Basil Exposition
- The Simpsons (2006-2020) as the voice of Mason Fairbanks and other characters
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2009) as the voice of Dr. Nuvo Vindi
- Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (2010) as the voice of Sherlock Holmes
Awards and Recognition
Michael York has received several awards and honors for his acting career:
- 1970: Nominated for a Golden Laurel as Male New Face for Romeo and Juliet.
- 1986: Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for his role in ABC Afterschool Special episode Are You My Mother?.
- 2000: Received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Temecula Valley International Film Festival.
- 2001: Nominated for an Emmy Award for his role in The Lot.
- 2002: Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to movies.
- 2002: Received the Town of Karlovy Vary Award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
- 2009: Received the Mary Pickford Award at the 14th Satellite Awards for his long and outstanding career.
- 2011: Received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Transilvania International Film Festival.
See also
In Spanish: Michael York para niños
