Michael Rooker: Difference between revisions
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Rooker made his |
Rooker made his filsmell like poo 1986, playing the title role in ''[[Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer]]'', a film based on the confessions of [[serial killer]] [[Henry Lee Lucas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/35803/dark-skys-hypothermia-rolling-full-casting-news|title=Dark Sky's Hypothermia is Rolling! Full Casting News|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref> He was acting in a play when the director of the play, who was going to do the prosthetics for ''Henry'', told him about the film. Rooker did not care if the script was good or bad, he just wanted to act in a film as it would "challenge" himself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://voices.yahoo.com/michael-rooker-discusses-henry-portrait-serial-8720631.html?cat=40|title=Michael Rooker Discusses 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer'|publisher=Yahoo}}</ref> ''Henry'' was a critical success and got Rooker noticed in the filmmaking industry, which led to his receiving more film roles. |
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Rooker was given more dramatic roles in films such as ''[[Eight Men Out]]'', ''[[Mississippi Burning]]'', and ''[[JFK (film)|JFK]]'', but he became widely known for his roles in [[Action film|action]] and [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] films such as ''[[Sea of Love (film)|Sea of Love]]'', ''[[Days of Thunder]]'', ''[[Cliffhanger (film)|Cliffhanger]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38597/a-chat-with-horror-icon-michael-rooker|title=A Chat with Horror Icon Michael Rooker|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref> and ''[[Tombstone (film)|Tombstone]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20522|title=TV: Michael Rooker Becomes One of 'The Walking Dead'!|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref> He also starred in ''[[Mallrats]]'', ''[[Rosewood (film)|Rosewood]]'', ''[[The 6th Day]]'', ''[[Slither (2006 film)|Slither]]'', ''[[Jumper (film)|Jumper]]'', ''[[Super (2010 American film)|Super]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19835|title=Blood-Soaked Snow in First Hi-Res Look at 'Hypothermia'|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref> and ''[[Hypothermia (film)|Hypothermia]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18920|title=Michael Rooker Scores Leading Role in Dark Sky's 'Hypothermia'!|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19274|title=First Look at Michael Rooker on the Set of 'Hypothermia'!|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref> |
Rooker was given more dramatic roles in films such as ''[[Eight Men Out]]'', ''[[Mississippi Burning]]'', and ''[[JFK (film)|JFK]]'', but he became widely known for his roles in [[Action film|action]] and [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] films such as ''[[Sea of Love (film)|Sea of Love]]'', ''[[Days of Thunder]]'', ''[[Cliffhanger (film)|Cliffhanger]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38597/a-chat-with-horror-icon-michael-rooker|title=A Chat with Horror Icon Michael Rooker|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref> and ''[[Tombstone (film)|Tombstone]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20522|title=TV: Michael Rooker Becomes One of 'The Walking Dead'!|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref> He also starred in ''[[Mallrats]]'', ''[[Rosewood (film)|Rosewood]]'', ''[[The 6th Day]]'', ''[[Slither (2006 film)|Slither]]'', ''[[Jumper (film)|Jumper]]'', ''[[Super (2010 American film)|Super]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19835|title=Blood-Soaked Snow in First Hi-Res Look at 'Hypothermia'|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref> and ''[[Hypothermia (film)|Hypothermia]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18920|title=Michael Rooker Scores Leading Role in Dark Sky's 'Hypothermia'!|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19274|title=First Look at Michael Rooker on the Set of 'Hypothermia'!|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 16:27, 21 March 2014
Michael Rooker | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rooker in April 2013 | |
| Born | April 6, 1955 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouse | Margot Rooker |
| Children | 2 |
Michael Rooker (born April 6, 1955) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Henry in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Merle Dixon in The Walking Dead, Frank Bailey in Mississippi Burning, Hal Tucker in Cliffhanger, and Rowdy Burns in Days of Thunder.
Early life
Michael Rooker was born in Jasper, Alabama. He has eight brothers and sisters. His parents divorced when he was 13 years old, and he moved with his mother and siblings to Chicago, Illinois, where he studied at the Goodman School of Drama.[1][2][3]
Career
Rooker made his filsmell like poo 1986, playing the title role in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, a film based on the confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.[4] He was acting in a play when the director of the play, who was going to do the prosthetics for Henry, told him about the film. Rooker did not care if the script was good or bad, he just wanted to act in a film as it would "challenge" himself.[5] Henry was a critical success and got Rooker noticed in the filmmaking industry, which led to his receiving more film roles.
Rooker was given more dramatic roles in films such as Eight Men Out, Mississippi Burning, and JFK, but he became widely known for his roles in action and thriller films such as Sea of Love, Days of Thunder, Cliffhanger,[6] and Tombstone.[7] He also starred in Mallrats, Rosewood, The 6th Day, Slither, Jumper, Super[8] and Hypothermia.[9][10]
In June 2010, he revealed via Twitter that he was to appear in the AMC television series The Walking Dead as Merle Dixon, one of the survivors of a zombie apocalypse. He guest starred in two episodes of the first season and one of the second season before finally becoming a series regular for the third season.[11][12]
Rooker is also known for his roles in video games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops (where he played himself), Mike Harper in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 in November 2012, and voiced Merle in The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, the video game based on the television series.
In April 2013, Rooker was cast as Yondu in the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy, which is being directed by James Gunn, Rooker's frequent collaborator.[13]
Personal life
Rooker is married to Margot Rooker. They have two daughters[14] and one granddaughter.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer | Henry | Fantasporto Award for Best Actor Golden Space Needle Award for Best Actor Nominated – Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead |
| 1987 | Light of Day | Oogie | |
| 1987 | Rent-A-Cop | Joe | |
| 1988 | Above the Law | Man in bar | |
| 1988 | Eight Men Out | Arnold "Chick" Gandil | |
| 1988 | Mississippi Burning | Frank Bailey | |
| 1989 | Sea of Love | Terry Cruger | |
| 1989 | The Edge | Deputy Sheriff | |
| 1989 | L.A. Takedown | Bosko | |
| 1989 | Music Box | Karchy Laszlo | |
| 1990 | Days of Thunder | Rowdy Burns | |
| 1991 | JFK | Bill Broussard | |
| 1992 | Afterburn | Casey "Z" Zankowski | |
| 1993 | The Dark Half | Sheriff Alan Pangborn | |
| 1993 | Cliffhanger | Hal Tucker | |
| 1993 | Tombstone | Sherman McMaster | |
| 1994 | Suspicious | Attendant | Short film |
| 1994 | The Hard Truth | Jonah Mantz | |
| 1995 | Mallrats | Jared Svenning | |
| 1995 | Johnny & Clyde | Frank Tennant | |
| 1996 | Bastard Out of Carolina | Uncle Earle | |
| 1996 | The Trigger Effect | Gary | |
| 1996 | Keys to Tulsa | Keith Michaels | |
| 1996 | Back to Back | Bob Malone | |
| 1997 | Song of Hiawatha | Bertrand | |
| 1997 | Rosewood | Sheriff Walker | |
| 1997 | Deceiver | Kennesaw | |
| 1998 | The Replacement Killers | Stan "Zeedo" Zedkov | |
| 1998 | Shadow Builder | Father Vassey | |
| 1998 | Brown's Requiem | Fritz Brown | |
| 1998 | Renegade Force | Matt Cooper | |
| 1999 | A Table for One | Matt Draper Dr. Matthew Swan |
|
| 1999 | The Bone Collector | Captain Howard Cheney | |
| 2000 | Table One | Rowdy | |
| 2000 | Here on Earth | Malcolm Arnold | |
| 2000 | NewsBreak | John McNamara | |
| 2000 | The 6th Day | Robert Marshall | |
| 2001 | Replicant | Det. Jake Riley | |
| 2001 | Hostage Rescue Team | Special Agent Nicholas Roberts | |
| 2002 | Undisputed | AJ Mercker | |
| 2003 | The Box | Det. Stafford | |
| 2003 | On Thin Ice | Hopkins | |
| 2003 | Saving Jessica Lynch | Col. Curry | |
| 2004 | Skeleton Man | Capt. Leary | |
| 2004 | The Eliminator | Miles Dawson | |
| 2005 | Chasing Ghosts | Mark Spencer | |
| 2006 | Lenexa, 1 Mile | Russ | |
| 2006 | Slither | Grant Grant | |
| 2007 | Whisper | Sidney | |
| 2008 | The Lena Baker Story | Randolph County Sheriff | |
| 2008 | Jumper | William Rice | |
| 2008 | This Man's Life | Richard Crummly | Short film |
| 2009 | Super Capers | Judge Dark Winged Vesper |
|
| 2009 | Penance | Mann | |
| 2009 | The Marine 2 | Church | |
| 2010 | Scott's Dead | Mitch | Short film |
| 2010 | Freeway Killer | Detective St. John | |
| 2010 | Blood Done Sign My Name | Defense Attorney Billy Watkins | |
| 2010 | Cell 213 | Ray Clement | |
| 2010 | DC Showcase: Jonah Hex | Red Doc | Voice Short film |
| 2010 | Louis | Pat McMurphy | |
| 2010 | Matadors | John Canterna | |
| 2010 | Super | Abe | |
| 2010 | Atlantis Down | Father / Alien | |
| 2011 | Mysteria | Captain McCarthy | |
| 2011 | Elwood | Condello | Short film |
| 2012 | Pennhurst | Dount Shop Employee | Director |
| 2012 | Hypothermia | Ray Pelletier | |
| 2012 | Outlaw Country | Larkin's henchman | |
| 2013 | Brother's Keeper | Chief Carver | |
| 2014 | Guardians of the Galaxy | Yondu | Post-Production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Crime Story | Lieutenant | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1988 | The Equalizer | Bill Whitaker | Episode: "No Place Like Home" |
| 1989 | Gideon Oliver | Det. John Quinn | Episode: "Sleep Well, Professor Oliver" |
| 1990 | Equal Justice | Wallace 'Wally' Dalton | Episode: "Sugar Blues" |
| 1995 | Fallen Angels | Babe McCloor | Episode: "Fly Paper" |
| 2001 | The Outer Limits | Col. Beckett | Episode: "Patient Zero" |
| 2002 | Jeremiah | Major Quantrell | Episode: "Firewall" |
| 2003 | Tremors | Kinney | Episode: "Hit and Run" |
| Lucky | Gibby | Episode: "Savant" | |
| Stargate SG-1 | Col. Edwards | Episode: "Enemy Mine" | |
| CSI: Miami | Marty Jones | Episode: "Dead Zone" | |
| 2004 | Las Vegas | Marcus Wexler | Episode: "Degas Away with It" |
| 2005 | Numb3rs | Don's partner | Unaired pilot episode |
| JAG | Capt. Jack Ramsey | Episode: "Heart of Darkness" | |
| 2006 | Thief | Det. John Hayes | Miniseries |
| 2007 | Crossing Jordan | Shawn Curaco | Episode: "D.O.A." |
| 2008 | Law & Order | Jamie Yost | Episode: "Executioner" |
| Shark | Oscar Riddick | Episode: "Bar Fight" | |
| Chuck | Mauser | Episode: "Chuck Versus Santa Claus" | |
| Humanzee! | Priest | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2009 | Meteor | Calvin Stark | Miniseries |
| Criminal Minds | Chief Carlson | Episode: "House on Fire" | |
| Psych | Garth Longmore | Episode: "Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark" | |
| 2010 | Burn Notice | Dale Lawson | Episode: "Guilty as Charged" |
| 2010–13 | The Walking Dead | Merle Dixon | Season 1 (recurring; 2 episodes) Season 2 (guest; 1 episode) Season 3 (series regular; 11 episodes) Satellite Award for Best Cast – Television Series (2012) |
| 2012 | Archer | Sheriff EZ Ponder | Voice Episode: "Bloody Ferlin" |
| 2013 | Conan | Merle Dixon/Himself | Episode: "It's Not the Hotlanta, It's the Humidylanta" |
| 2013 | Mythbusters | Merle Dixon/Himself | Episode: "Zombie Special" |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay | Centurion Jack |
Voice |
| 2006 | Scarface: The World is Yours | Various characters | Voice |
| 2010 | Call of Duty: Black Ops | Himself | Voice Playable character in Call of The Dead |
| 2011 | Days of Thunder | Crew chief | Voice |
| 2012 | Lollipop Chainsaw | Vikke | Voice |
| 2012 | Call of Duty: Black Ops II | Mike Harper | Voice and motion capture |
| 2013 | The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct | Merle Dixon | Voice |
References
- ^ "'They' Command You to Score New TP/HC From Image". BloodyDisgusting.
- ^ Michael Rooker Biography - Yahoo! Movies
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Dark Sky's Hypothermia is Rolling! Full Casting News". DreadCentral.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Discusses 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer'". Yahoo.
- ^ "A Chat with Horror Icon Michael Rooker". DreadCentral.
- ^ "TV: Michael Rooker Becomes One of 'The Walking Dead'!". BloodyDisgusting.
- ^ "Blood-Soaked Snow in First Hi-Res Look at 'Hypothermia'". BloodyDisgusting.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Scores Leading Role in Dark Sky's 'Hypothermia'!". BloodyDisgusting.
- ^ "First Look at Michael Rooker on the Set of 'Hypothermia'!". BloodyDisgusting.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Joining AMC's The Walking Dead". DreadCentral.
- ^ "Michael Rooker interview (Merle Dixon on "The Walking Dead")". The Desk of Brian.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Joins 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'". Deadline.com. April 16, 2013. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/michael-rooker/bio/166280
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Rooker.
- Michael Rooker Official Website
- Michael Rooker at IMDb
- Michael Rooker on Twitter
- Michael Rooker on Facebook
- Michael Rooker interview on 'Cell 213'
- Michael Rooker Interview by Susan Karlin
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| National | |
| Other | |
