Jump to content

Michael Vartan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 199.89.180.65 (talk) at 20:44, 1 February 2010 (→‎Early life). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Michael Vartan
Vartan at the 23rd Genesis Awards, Beverly Hills, California, March 28, 2009
Born
Michael S. Vartan

Michael S. Vartan (born November 27, 1968) is a French-American[1][2] film and television actor. He is best known for the role of Michael Vaughn on the American television action drama Alias.

Early life

Vartan was born in Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France, the son of Doris (née Pucher), a painter and artist, and Eddie Vartan, a musician.[3][4] His paternal aunt is singer Sylvie Vartan and his stepfather is writer Ian La Frenais.[5] Vartan's Bulgarian father was of Armenian and Hungarian ancestry,[6][7] and Vartan's American mother is Jewish and originally from Poland.[8][9][10] Vartan has said about his French background that “The funny thing is I’m actually a Polish Jew who happens to be born in France. My mom is Polish and my dad is Bulgarian. I don’t have an ounce of French blood. But I work it.”[8][11] He has stated that he tends to be considered a Frenchman in the United States and an American in France.[12]

His parents divorced when he was five and he moved to America with his mother.[13] He moved back to France to be with his father until his high school years, and grew up a "farm kid" in a "simple environment"[10] in Fleury, Manche, a small town in Normandy.[13][14] At the age of eighteen, Vartan moved back in with his mother in Los Angeles, telling her that he wanted to be an artist,[15] because he did not wish to fulfill the mandatory military service required in France.[10] In Los Angeles, he attended an acting school after he was told he possessed acting talent. He had also attended Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles. Vartan now considers himself to be American and stated on the talk show Rove that he would like Australia to be his second home.[16] He is bilingual, speaking both English and French fluently.[17]

Career

After starring roles in European films, including an acclaimed performance in the Taviani Brothers' Fiorile, and several smaller film roles, Vartan had noticeable supporting roles in major Hollywood movies, including Never Been Kissed (1999), One Hour Photo (2002) and Monster-in-Law (2005).[16] In 2007, he appeared in the Australian horror film Rogue and starred in the film Jolene in 2008.

Vartan's most notable role to date has been as Michael Vaughn in the American television series Alias (2001–2006). Vartan has also had guest appearances on Friends (as Dr. Tim Burke, Tom Selleck's character's son) and Ally McBeal (as Jonathan Basset). He also appeared on the show Kitchen Confidential, which starred his former Alias co-star Bradley Cooper, as a French chef who was Cooper's rival. In September 2007, Vartan played James Walker, a main role in the ABC drama Big Shots. However, the show was canceled after one season.

Vartan is co-starring opposite Jada Pinkett Smith in TNT's series Hawthorne. Vartan replaced Jeffrey Nordling, who played the role in the pilot.[18]

Personal life

Over the course of his relationship with Alias co-star Jennifer Garner, he never made any public appearances with her. Garner confirmed their relationship in August 2003.[19] Vartan began dating Garner in mid-2003, and though rumors of their break-up began in March 2004,[20] Garner only confirmed the end of their relationship in August 2004.[21][22]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Black Leather Jacket Motorcycle Boy Documentary
1991 Un homme et deux femmes Fred
1992 Stringer Chris
Promenades d'été Thomas
1993 Fiorile Jean/Massimo
1995 To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar Tommy
1996 The Pallbearer Scott
1997 Touch Me Adam
Friends Dr. Tim Burke
The Myth of Fingerprints Jake
1998 The Curve Chris
1999 Never Been Kissed Sam Coulson
2000 It Had to Be You Charlie Hudson
The Next Best Thing Kevin Lasater
Sand Tyler Briggs
2001 The Mists of Avalon Lancelot Television miniseries
Alias Michael Vaughn Television series,
2002 One Hour Photo Will Yorkin
2005 Monster-in-Law Dr. Kevin Fields
2007 Rogue Pete McKell completed
Big Shots James Walker television series
2008 Jolene Brad
2009 Hawthorne Dr. Tom Wakefield television series

References

  1. ^ http://www.usaweekend.com/03_issues/030323/030323alias.html
  2. ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2005/05/13/2005-05-13_we_re_not_fonda_this_one__j_.html
  3. ^ Meyer-Stabley, Betrand (2002-09-23). "Elle: Internet Watch: Michael Vartan". Elle France. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ "Superstar Moms: Famous Kids". People.com. 2002-04-24. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "Running Man". Arena UK Magazine. October 2002. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ "From La Maritza to La Seine". Le Site Officiel. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ Vartanian, Hrag (April, 2004). "Michael Vartan: A Face That's Hard to Forget". Armenian General Benevolent Union. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ a b Peyser, Marc (2005-05-23). "NEWSMAKERS". Newsweek. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Bloom, Nate (2005-06-03). "Celebrity Jews". The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ a b c Fischer, Paul (2005-05-03). "Interview: Michael Vartan". Dark Horizons.com. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ j. - Celebrity Jews
  12. ^ Interview Michael Vartan - Alias
  13. ^ a b Barker, Lynn (2005-05-10). "Michael Vartan". Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ "Michael Vartan: The Golden Nephew". Gala Magazine. November, 2002. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  15. ^ Colon, Suzan (November/December, 1997). "Q&A: Michael Vartan". Jane Magazine. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ a b Hellard, Peta (2007-11-04). "Hollywood hero's bush horror". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ :: Michael Vartan - vartanfan[dot]com - fan site ::
  18. ^ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i79da12a20aa4355ab508da1b38511d25
  19. ^ Susman, G, "Undercover Work". Entertainment Weekly. August 14, 2003. Retrieved on December 13, 2006.
  20. ^ Buzzle Staff and Agencies, "Garner & Vartan Split?". Buzzle.com. March 24, 2004. Retrieved on January 23, 2007.
  21. ^ "Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan". Moono.com. August 21, 2004. Retrieved on January 23, 2007.
  22. ^ "Garner Confirms Love Split". AskMen.com. August 19, 2004. Retrieved on January 23, 2007.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Vartan&oldid=341339816"