A native of Chicago, Weiss began acting as a child, appearing in local TV commercials. While in high school, he studied acting at the Second City workshop, and after graduation, he enrolled in USC’s prestigious school of drama. Shortly after receiving his B.F.A. there in 1984, Weiss landed the role of Dr. Mike Horton on NBC’s venerable daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.” Weiss also appeared on prime-time television in the NBC miniseries The Great Los Angeles Earthquake and NBC’s movie Take My Daughter, Please. After leaving Days in 1990, Weiss co-starred in NBC’s 1991 remake of Dark Shadows, playing dual roles. In 1992, he co-starred in 2000 Malibu Road, with Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Beals. Three years ago, Weiss co-starred in the offbeat comedy film Jeffrey, as a handsome, promiscuous gay man obsessed with the celibate title character (played by Steven Weber of NBC’s Wings). In 1995, he appeared in Freeway, a feature film produced by Oliver Stone, which won critical raves at the Sundance Film Festival.
Weiss particularly enjoys working on stage. He is proud of his accomplishments as a playwright, and recently completed the play “Streams of Consciousness.” He eventually hopes to direct the project at the Met Theatre, a Los Angeles-based ensemble company that he is a member of. An outspoken environmentalist, Weiss sits on the board of directors for the Earth Communications Office. He also serves as the organization’s director of public service announcements, and he has helped to coordinate a series of public service announcements featuring actors who promote environmental awareness. Weiss’ birthday is February 2, 1962.
Michael T. Weiss’ decision to star in The Pretender was greatly influenced by the wide spectrum of professionals he would be asked to portray, which includes a policeman, an airline pilot, a doctor, a lawyer and a stunt-man. The role, in short, is every actor’s dream.
Birthdate:
February 2, 1962
Birthplace:
Chicago
Occupation:
Actor
Current Home:
L.A.
Marital Status:
Single
Car:
Toyota Prius
Recent Works:
Iowa, Marmalade, Fade and Razor Sharp
The last good movie I saw:
Celebration
The book I’ve been reading:
?
Magazines I read:
If Hustler isn’t available, I look at the Sunday Supplements.
Favorite Pig-Out Food:
Ice cream. I want to work at Ben & Jerry’s
Favorite Performer
Bozo the Clown
Prized Possession:
A ring from my grandfather in the shape of a dragon.
Personal Heroes:
Don Kessinger lived next door to me — he was a shortstop for the Chicago Cubs — so all his teammates, guys like Ernie Banks and Ron Santo, were all my heroes.
People always think I’m:
Either Brad Pitt or President Clinton.
Nobody knows I:
Have multiple personalities.
If I could do it over:
You can’t do it over again. The lessons you learn make you who you are.
I’d give anything to meet:
Monica Lewinsky. I want to have dinner with her. I’d like to ask her how she puts up with all of it.
My fantasy is:
I’m really happy with a big fat wife tending my farm in Montana and I have no ambition.
The best advice my father ever gave me:
“The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
The one thing I can’t stand:
People who have no regard for the environment.
If I could change one thing about myself:
I’m pretty hard on myself, I’d like to let up a bit.
People who knew me in high school thought I was:
I was so low key, they didn’t know who I was, but they do now.
My most irrational act:
I remember running away from home when I was a kid and camping out in a back yard for two days.
If I weren’t an actor I’d be:
Either an environmentalist or living on my own island with a harem.
If I’ve learned one thing in life it’s:
It doesn’t matter what you do, it’s how you do it.
Most humbling experience:
I sat at the edge of the Grand Canyon, thinking how awesome nature is and how insignificant we are.
The three words that best describe me:
Thoughtful, creative, and sensitive.
– Michael’s dad is a steel-industry executive & his mom is a homemaker.
– Michael can wiggle his ears.
– Michael says his home is chemical free, and he uses only minimum electricity.
– Michael has two sisters, one in advertising and another a make-up artist (Jamie Sue Weiss).
– Michael can accurately name each of the United States in alphabetical order (without a break to stop and think about it).
– Michael T. Weiss began acting as a child in local TV commercials.
– The “T” in Michael T. Weiss stands for Terry.
– Michael can change his voice pattern to reflect certain accents or dialects.
– While in high school, Michael studied acting at the Second City workshop, and he enrolled in USC’s prestigious school of drama after graduation.
– Before getting his ‘big break,’ Michael worked as a personal trainer with many of his clients being fellow actors.
– In 1980, Michael started doing odd jobs in California. Once he performed singing-telegrams, and was even a Video-Jockey for the PlayboyChannel.
– Michael is a certified scuba diver who was once told by a fortune teller that he would die while diving.
– Shortly after receiving his B.F.A. in 1984, Michael landed the role of Dr. Mike Horton on NBC’s daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.”