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Miguel Ferrer
Miguel Ferrer 2015.jpg
Ferrer in 2015
Born
Miguel José Ferrer

(1955-02-07)February 7, 1955
Died January 19, 2017(2017-01-19) (aged 61)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Resting place Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Occupation Actor
Years active 1981–2017
Spouse(s)
  • Leilani Sarelle
    (m. 1991; div. 2003)
  • Lori Weintraub
    (m. 2005)
Children 3
Parent(s)
Relatives

Miguel José Ferrer (February 7, 1955 – January 19, 2017) was an American actor. His breakthrough role was as Bob Morton in the 1987 film RoboCop. Other film roles include Quigley in Blank Check (1994), Harbinger in Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993), Shan Yu in Mulan (1998), Eduardo Ruiz in Traffic (2000) and Vice President Rodriguez in Iron Man 3 (2013). Ferrer's notable television roles include FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield on Twin Peaks (1990–1991, 2017), Tarakudo on Jackie Chan Adventures (2000–2005), Dr. Garret Macy on Crossing Jordan (2001–2007) and NCIS Assistant Director Owen Granger on NCIS: Los Angeles (2012–2017).

Early life

Ferrer was born on February 7, 1955, in Santa Monica, California, the oldest of five children of Academy Award-winning Puerto Rican actor José Ferrer and singer Rosemary Clooney, who was of English, Irish and German descent. Ferrer's siblings were sisters Maria and Monsita, and brothers Gabriel (later the husband of singer Debby Boone) and actor Rafael. He also had an older half-sister, Letty (Leticia) Ferrer, from his father José's prior marriage to Uta Hagen. He was the cousin of actor George Clooney and the nephew of journalist Nick Clooney. Ferrer was raised in Hollywood and Beverly Hills and attended Beverly Hills High School. As a teenager, his interests tended toward music; he played the drums on Keith Moon's Two Sides of the Moon. After high school, Ferrer studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.

Career

Ferrer's friend Bill Mumy cast him as a drummer in the series Sunshine, his first television role. Sharing a love of comics Ferrer and Mumy co-created Comet Man and Trypto the Acid Dog plus co-wrote the Marvel Graphic Novel The Dreamwalker.

Ferrer began his acting career in the early 1980s, making guest appearances on episodic television. He played the younger version of his father's character on Magnum, P.I. in 1981. In 1983, he was given a small part as a waiter in The Man Who Wasn't There. He also had a minor role in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) as the U.S.S. Excelsior helm officer. In 1984, he directed the Mark Medoff play “When Ya Coming Back, Red Ryder?” at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, Florida. He had a major role in the 1987 action movie RoboCop as the corporate executive Bob Morton, the young, ambitious executive of Omni Consumer Products' Security Concepts and project leader of the RoboCop program. Ferrer's notable later works include Valentino Returns, DeepStar Six (1989), Revenge (1990), Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993), The Stand (1994), and Traffic (2000). He occasionally took on lead parts as well, such as The Harvest and The Night Flier.

In the early 1990s, Ferrer appeared on three primetime TV series simultaneously: as D.A. Todd Spurrier in Shannon's Deal (1989–1991), as Cajun cop Beau Jack Bowman in Broken Badges (1990–1991), and as cynical, wittily abrasive FBI forensics specialist Albert Rosenfield in Twin Peaks (1990–91). Ferrer reprised the role of Rosenfield in the movie Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992). Ferrer played a super-villain called "The Weatherman" in the failed 1997 TV pilot, Justice League of America. Later in the same year, he provided the voice for a similar character, the Weather Wizard, in the Superman: The Animated Series episode "Speed Demons." In 1999, Ferrer voiced Aquaman in another Superman: Animated episode, "A Fish Story." The same year, at the 41st Grammy Awards, Ferrer was nominated for "Best Spoken Word Album for Children" in Disney's The Lion King II, "Simba's Pride Read-Along." He was also the protagonist of the American rock band Toto's music video for the song I Will Remember, appearing alongside actor Edward James Olmos.

Ferrer again played a medical examiner on the small screen, Dr. Garret Macy, in the television crime/drama series Crossing Jordan (2001–07). In August 2003, Ferrer made his New York stage debut in the off-Broadway production of The Exonerated. In 2004, Ferrer performed as the voice of the Heretic leader in the video game Halo 2. Ferrer took voice-over roles in the TV series Robot Chicken (2006) and American Dad! (2007). He played Jonas Bledsoe on NBC's Bionic Woman series and in 2009 also starred in another NBC series, Kings, as a military commander of Gath.

Ferrer played Los Angeles Police Lieutenant Felix Valdez in the 2011 Lifetime police procedural drama, The Protector. Also, in 2011, he had a multiple-episode guest role on the final season of Desperate Housewives. Signed to a recurring role in NCIS: Los Angeles as Naval Criminal Investigative Service Assistant Director Owen Granger, Ferrer was promoted to a series regular for the fifth season on February 6, 2013. He also appeared in the 2013 film Iron Man 3 as the Vice President. Ferrer reprised his role of Albert Rosenfield in the 2017 revival of Twin Peaks.

Death

On January 19, 2017, Ferrer died at his Santa Monica home from heart failure and complications of throat cancer at the age of 61. At the time of his death, Ferrer was married to producer Lori Weintraub. He had two sons and two stepsons. Ferrer is buried at Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in San Juan, Puerto Rico, next to his father José Ferrer.

Legacy

Miguel O'Hara, the alter ego of the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man 2099, was named after Ferrer by his friend, writer Peter David, who co-created the character.

The seventh episode of the third season of Young Justice: Outsiders was dedicated to him. Ferrer had voiced the character Vandal Savage in the first two seasons. As a result of his death, David Kaye took over Ferrer's role as Savage as well as his role as Jonathan Rook/Stretch Monster in Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters.

The Adventure Time: Distant Lands special "Together Again" was also dedicated to him, as well as Polly Lou Livingston, Michel Lyman and Maureen Mlynarczyk. Ferrer voiced the character Death in the series.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1982 Truckin' Buddy McCoy Pete
1982 And They Are Off
1983 Heartbreaker Angel
1983 The Man Who Wasn't There Waiter
1984 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock USS Excelsior helm officer
1984 Flashpoint Roget
1984 Lovelines Dragon
1987 RoboCop Bob Morton
1989 Deepstar Six Snyder
1989 Valentino Returns Sinister biker
1990 Revenge Amador
1990 The Guardian Ralph Hess
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Albert Rosenfield
1992 The Harvest Charlie Pope
1993 Cigarettes & Coffee Bill Short film
1993 Point of No Return Director Kaufman
1993 Hot Shots! Part Deux Commander Harbinger
1993 Another Stakeout Tony Castellano
1993 It's All True: Based on an Unfinished Film by Orson Welles Narrator (voice) Documentary
1994 Blank Check Carl Quigley
1997 The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca Centeno
1997 The Night Flier Richard Dees
1997 Mr. Magoo Mr. Ortega Peru
1998 Mulan Shan Yu (voice)
1998 Where's Marlowe? Joe Boone
2000 Traffic Eduardo Ruiz
2002 Sunshine State Lester
2004 The Manchurian Candidate Colonel Garret
2004 Silver City Cliff Castleton
2005 The Man Agent Peters
2008 Justice League: The New Frontier J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter (voice) Direct-to-DVD
2009 Wrong Turn at Tahoe Vincent
2010 Hard Ride to Hell Jefe
2011 This Is Not a Movie Voice
2011 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 Delgado (voice) Direct-to-DVD
2011 Four Assassins Eli
2012 Noah Kabos (voice)
2012 The Courier Mr. Capo
2012 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta! Delgado (voice) Direct-to-DVD
2013 Iron Man 3 Vice President Rodriguez
2014 Rio 2 Big Boss (voice)
2017 Teen Titans: The Judas Contract Deathstroke / Slade Wilson (voice) Direct-to-DVD
Posthumous release

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Magnum, P.I. Ensign Robert 'Bobby' Wickes, USN Episode: "Lest We Forget"
1982–85 Trapper John, M.D. Trauma Team Doctor, Dr. Austin, Darby Thud 3 episodes
1983 CHiPs Bean Episode: "Firepower"
1984 Cagney & Lacey Nunzio Episode: "Choices"
1984 Hill Street Blues Carlos Episode: "Ewe and Me, Babe"
1985 T. J. Hooker Sonny Unger Episode: "Love Story"
1987 Houston Knights Virgilio Episode: "Scarecrow"
1987 CBS Summer Playhouse Mic Episode: "Kung Fu: The Next Generation"
1987 Hotel Brian Episode: "All the King's Horses"
1987 Ohara Kramer Episode: "Artful Dodgers"
1987 Downpayment on Murder Martin Television film
1988 Hooperman Scott Kapus Episode: "Chariots of Fire"
1988 C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf Paul Kiley Television film
1988 Badlands 2005 Rex Pilot
1987, 1989 Miami Vice Ramon Pedroza, District Attorney 2 episodes
1989 Guts and Glory: The Rise and Fall of Oliver North Scott Toney Television film
1989 Shannon's Deal Todd Spurrier Television film
1990–91 Twin Peaks FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield 8 episodes
1990–91 Shannon's Deal D.A. Todd Spurrier 9 episodes
1991 Murder in High Places Wilhoite Television film
1990–91 Broken Badges Beau Jack Bowman 7 episodes
1990–94 Tales from the Crypt Gary, Hitman, Mitch Bruckner 3 episodes
1992 On the Air Bud Budwaller 7 episode
1992 In the Shadow of a Killer Dist. Atty. Steven Walzer Television film
1992 Cruel Doubt Lewis Young 2 episodes
1993 Scam Barry Landers Television film
1994 Biography Narrator (voice) Episode: "Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon"
1994 Royce Gribbon Television film
1994 The Stand Lloyd Henreid 4 episodes
1994 Incident at Deception Ridge Ray Hayes Television film
1994 ER Mr. Parker Uncredited
Episode: "24 Hours"
1994 Jack Reed: A Search for Justice Win Carter Television film
1994 A Promise Kept: The Oksana Baiul Story Stanislav Television film
1995 The Return of Hunter: Everyone Walks in L.A. Jack Valko Television film
1995 In the Line of Duty: Hunt for Justice Thomas Manning Television film
1995 Fallen Angels Prologue Narrator, Abbazzia 6 episodes
1996 Project ALF Dexter Moyers Television film
1997 Justice League of America The Weather Man (Dr. Eno) Pilot
1997–99 Superman: The Animated Series Aquaman, De'Cine, Weather Wizard (voices) 3 episodes
1997 The Shining Mark James Torrance (voice) Uncredited
Episode: "#1.2"
1998 Brave New World Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning Television film
1998 Men in Black: The Series Dr. Lupo, Lupo Clone (voices) Episode: "The Take No Prisoners Syndrome"
1998 Hercules Antaeus (voice) Episode: "Hercules and the Hostage Crisis"
1998–99 LateLine Victor 'Vic' Karp 17 episodes
1999 Will & Grace Nathan Berry Episode: "Saving Grace"
2000 3rd Rock from the Sun Jack Episode: "Youth Is Wasted on the Dick"
2001 Matisse & Picasso: A Gentle Rivalry Pablo Picasso (voice) Television short
2001–07 Crossing Jordan Dr. Garret Macy 117 episodes
2002 Shadow Realm Dr. Daniel Critchley Television film
2002 Night Visions Dr. Dan Critchley Episode: "Patterns"
2002 Sightings: Heartland Ghost Allen Television film
2003 L.A. County 187 Sgt. Walter Drazin Television film
2003–2004 Jackie Chan Adventures Tarakudo/Shadowkhan King (voice) 8 episodes
2006 Robot Chicken Danny Ocean, Basher Tarr (voices) Episode: "1987"
2007 American Dad! Agent Hopkins (voice) Episode: "American Dream Factory"
2007 El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera El Tigre I (voice) Episode: "The Grave Escape"
2007 Bionic Woman Jonas Bledsoe 9 episodes
2007 The Batman Sinestro (voice) Episode: "Ring Toss"
2008 Medium Joey, Teddy Carmichael Episode: "Being Joey Carmichael"
2008 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Gus Kovak Episode: "Ten Count"
2009 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Defense Attorney Whitten Episode: "Miscarriage of Justice"
2009 The Spectacular Spider-Man Silvio Manfredi / Silvermane (voice) 2 episodes
2009 Kings General Mallick Episode: "Prosperity"
2009 Lie to Me FBI ASAC Bill Steele Episode: "Tractor Man"
2010 Psych Fred Collins Boyd Episode: "Think Tank"
2010 Edgar Floats Bob Pilot
2011 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Magister Hulka, Alpha #4 (voices) Episode: "Basic Training"
2011 ThunderCats Duelist (voice) Episode: "The Duelist and the Drifter"
2011 The Protector Lieutenant Felix Valdez 13 episodes
2011 Desperate Housewives Andre Zeller 5 episodes
2012 Applebaum Detective Pepper Ferrer Pilot
2010–13 Young Justice Vandal Savage, L-1, Tribune, National Guardsman #2 (voices) 11 episodes
2011–14 Adventure Time Death, Grod, Skeleton #2 (voices) 4 episodes
2012–17 NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS Assistant Director Owen Granger 115 Episodes
2017 Twin Peaks Albert Rosenfield 11 episodes
Posthumous release
Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television
2017–18 Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters Stretch Monster, Helicopter Pilot (voices) 10 episodes
Posthumous release

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
1998 Disney's Animated Storybook: Mulan Shan-Yu Voice
2004 Halo 2 Heretic Leader Voice
2013 Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know! Death Voice

Music video

Year Title Artist
1986 "Pizza Face" Barnes & Barnes
1995 "I Will Remember" Toto

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Miguel Ferrer (actor) para niños

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