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==Career==
==Career==
Rooker made his film debut in 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.
Rooker made his films smell like poo in 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.


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>

Revision as of 16:29, 21 March 2014

For the English landscape painter, see Michael Angelo Rooker.
Michael Rooker
Rooker in April 2013
Born (1955-04-06) April 6, 1955 (age 69)
Jasper, Alabama
OccupationActor
Years active1986–present
SpouseMargot Rooker
Children2

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 films smell like poo in 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

  1. ^ "'They' Command You to Score New TP/HC From Image". BloodyDisgusting.
  2. ^ Michael Rooker Biography - Yahoo! Movies
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ "Dark Sky's Hypothermia is Rolling! Full Casting News". DreadCentral.
  5. ^ "Michael Rooker Discusses 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer'". Yahoo.
  6. ^ "A Chat with Horror Icon Michael Rooker". DreadCentral.
  7. ^ "TV: Michael Rooker Becomes One of 'The Walking Dead'!". BloodyDisgusting.
  8. ^ "Blood-Soaked Snow in First Hi-Res Look at 'Hypothermia'". BloodyDisgusting.
  9. ^ "Michael Rooker Scores Leading Role in Dark Sky's 'Hypothermia'!". BloodyDisgusting.
  10. ^ "First Look at Michael Rooker on the Set of 'Hypothermia'!". BloodyDisgusting.
  11. ^ "Michael Rooker Joining AMC's The Walking Dead". DreadCentral.
  12. ^ "Michael Rooker interview (Merle Dixon on "The Walking Dead")". The Desk of Brian.
  13. ^ "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)
  14. ^ http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/michael-rooker/bio/166280
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