British actor
Michael York OBE (born Michael Hugh Johnson ;[ 1] 27 March 1942[ 2] ) is an English film, television, and stage actor. After performing on stage with the Royal National Theatre , he had a breakthrough in films by playing Tybalt in Franco Zeffirelli 's Romeo and Juliet (1968). His blond, blue-eyed boyish looks and English upper class demeanour saw him play leading roles in several major British and Hollywood films of the 1970s. His best known roles include Konrad Ludwig in Something for Everyone (1970), Geoffrey Richter-Douglas in Zeppelin (1971), Brian Roberts in Cabaret (1972), George Conway in Lost Horizon (1973), D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers (also 1973) and its two sequels , Count Andrenyi in Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and Logan 5 in Logan's Run (1976).
In his later career he found success as Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers film series (1997–2002). He is a two-time Emmy Award nominee, for the ABC Afterschool Special : Are You My Mother? (1986) and the AMC series The Lot (2001).
In 2002, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures.
Early life
York was born in Fulmer , Gerrards Cross , Buckinghamshire ,[ 2] son of Florence Edith May Chown,[ 2] a musician, and Joseph Gwynne Johnson,[ 2] a Llandovery -born Welsh ex-Royal Artillery British Army officer [ 1] and businessman.[ 2] York has an elder sister, Penelope Anne (born 1940) and younger twin sisters, Caroline and Bridget (born 1947); Bridget died a few hours after birth, according to York's autobiography. He was brought up in Burgess Hill , Sussex .[ 3]
During his teenage years, York was educated at Bromley Grammar School for Boys ,[ 4] Hurstpierpoint College and University College, Oxford . He did some early acting at the community theatre Bromley Little Theatre , and was its president in 2014.[ 4] This then led to his joining the National Youth Theatre ,[ 4] also performing with the Oxford University Dramatic Society [ 3] and the University College Players .[ 3] He began his career in a 1956 production of The Yellow Jacket .[ 1] In 1959, he made his West End début with a small part in a production of Hamlet .[ 1]
Career
Prior to graduating with a degree in English from the University of Oxford in 1964,[ 1] York had toured with the National Youth Theatre ,[ 1] After some time with the Dundee Repertory Theatre ,[ 1] where he played in Brendan Behan 's The Hostage , York joined National Theatre [ 1] under Laurence Olivier where he worked with Franco Zeffirelli [ 1] during the 1965 staging of Much Ado About Nothing .[ 1] Following his role on British TV as Jolyon (Jolly) in The Forsyte Saga (1967), York made his film debut as Lucentio in Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew (1967).[ 1] He then was cast as Tybalt in Zeffirelli's 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet . He starred in The Guru (1969),[ 2] then played an amoral bisexual drifter in Something for Everyone (1970 ). In the 1971 film Zeppelin ,[ 2] he portrayed a World War I soldier with conflicted family loyalties who pretends to side with the Germans. He portrayed the bisexual Brian Roberts in Bob Fosse 's film version of Cabaret (1972 ).[ 2] In 1975, he portrayed a British soldier in 19th century colonial India in Conduct Unbecoming ,[ 2] the first of three films he did with director Michael Anderson . In 1977, he reunited with Franco Zeffirelli as John the Baptist in Jesus of Nazareth .[ 2]
York starred as D'Artagnan in the 1973 adaptation of The Three Musketeers [ 2] and he made his Broadway début in the original production of Tennessee Williams 's Out Cry .[ 2] One year later the sequel to The Three Musketeers was released (roughly covering events in the second half of the book) titled The Four Musketeers .[ 5] Fifteen years later, most of the cast (and crew) joined together in a third film titled The Return of the Musketeers based on the Dumas novel Twenty Years After .[ 2] He played the title character in the film adaptation of Logan's Run (1976), a fugitive who tries to escape a computer-controlled society.[ 2] The following year, he starred in The Island of Dr. Moreau opposite Burt Lancaster .[ 6]
York in 1986
Since his early work, York has enjoyed a busy and varied career in film, television and on the stage. He appeared in two episodes in the second season of the Road to Avonlea series as Ezekiel Crane, the lighthouse keeper of Avonlea and foster father of Gus Pike.[ 2] His Broadway theatre credits include Bent (1980),[ 2] The Crucible (1992), Someone Who'll Watch Over Me (1993) and the ill-fated musical The Little Prince and the Aviator (1982), which closed during previews. He also has made many sound recordings as a reader, including Harper Audio's production of C. S. Lewis ' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe .[ 7]
York appeared in the 1996 Babylon 5 episode "A Late Delivery from Avalon " as a delusional man who believed himself to be King Arthur.[ 2] Two years later he would play King Arthur in A Knight in Camelot . He also appeared as Professor Asher Fleming, a 60-year-old Yale professor and boyfriend of Yale student Paris Geller (Liza Weil ) during the fourth season of Gilmore Girls .[ 2] Additionally, York voiced numerous characters in the DC Animated Universe : Count Vertigo and Montague Kane in Batman: The Animated Series , Kanto in Superman: The Animated Series , and Ares in Justice League Unlimited . York starred in both The Omega Code and its sequel, Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 , as Stone Alexander, the Antichrist from Christian eschatology .[ 2]
In 2002, he received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures.[ 8] He played President Alexander Bourne of Macaronesia on seaQuest 2032 . He played Basil Exposition in all three of the Austin Powers films.[ 3] He has made an appearance on The Simpsons as Mason Fairbanks, Homer Simpson 's possible father, in "Homer's Paternity Coot ". In 2006, York played the character Bernard Fremont (inspired by real life serial killer Charles Sobhraj ) in the Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Slither ". He also appeared as a fictionalised version of himself in several episodes of the third season of Curb Your Enthusiasm as an investor in Larry's new restaurant 'BoBo's. In 2009, he lent his voice to Star Wars: The Clone Wars .
York voiced Petrie 's uncle Pterano in The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire . In 2009, he narrated the entire Bible for The Word of Promise Audio Bible, a performance of the New King James Version .[ 9] York again played King Arthur in a revival of Lerner and Loewe 's Camelot , which began its run at the La Mirada Theatre in Southern California , and toured nationally in 2006 and 2007.
York portrays Luke in The Truth & Life Dramatised Audio New Testament Bible , a 22-hour audio dramatisation of the New Testament, which uses the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition translation. In 2008, York took part in the BBC Wales programme Coming Home about his Welsh family history. In September 2013, York played Albany in the Gala Performance of William Shakespeare 's King Lear at the Old Vic in London.[ 10]
Personal life
York met photographer Patricia McCallum in 1967 when she was assigned to photograph him, and they married on 27 March 1968, York's 26th birthday. His stepson is Star Wars producer Rick McCallum . York was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1977.[ 11]
Health problems
York announced he was suffering from the rare disease called amyloidosis in 2013.[ 13] Doctors initially thought he had bone cancer .[ 14] He underwent a stem cell transplant , which can alleviate symptoms, in 2012.[ 15]
In 2022, in order to be closer to the Mayo Clinic for treatment, York and his wife moved to Rochester, Minnesota .[ 16] [ 17]
Filmography
Film
Television
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1964
Arrest and Trial
Pete Bakalyan
Episode: "A Circle of Strangers"
1966
The Wild Wild West
Gupta
Episode: “The Night of the Golden Cobra”
1967
Death Valley Days
Haynie
Episode: "The Man Who Wouldn't Die"
The Forsyte Saga
Jolyon "Jolly" Forsyte
1968
The Wednesday Play
Roger Porlock
Episode: "Rebel in the Grave"
1974
Great Expectations
Pip
TV film
1977
Jesus of Nazareth
John the Baptist
Miniseries
BBC2 Play of the Week: True Patriot
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
TV film
1978
Much Ado About Nothing
Benedick
1979
A Man Called Intrepid
Evan Michaelian
Miniseries
1981
Vendredi ou la Vie Sauvage
Robinson Crusoe
TV film
1982
Twilight Theater
1983
The Phantom of the Opera
Michael Hartnell
The Weather in the Streets
Rollo Spencer
1984
The Master of Ballantrae
James Durie
1985
Space
Dieter Kolff
Miniseries
1986
ABC Afterschool Special
Chet Gordon
Episode: "Are You My Mother?"
The Storybook Series with Hayley Mills
Beast
Voice
Tall Tales & Legends
Ponce de Leon
Episode: "Ponde de Leon"
Sword of Gideon
Robert
TV film
Dark Mansions
Jason Drake
Nevil Shute's The Far Country
Carl Zlinter
1987
The Far Country
George Miller
2 episodes
1987–1988
Knots Landing
Charles Scott
8 episodes
1988
The Secret of the Sahara
Desmond Jordan
Miniseries
The Four Minute Mile
Franz Stampfl
1989
The Lady and the Highwayman
King Charles II
TV film
Judith Krantz's Till We Meet Again
Paul de Lancel
Miniseries
1990
The Heat of the Day
Robert Kelway
TV film
Night of the Fox
Field Marshal Rommel
1991
Road to Avonlea
Ezekiel Crane
2 episodes
Duel of Hearts
Gervaise Warlingham
TV film
1992
The Legend of Prince Valiant
Owen
Voice, 3 episodes
Rochade
Paul Grumbach
TV film
1992–1993
Batman: The Animated Series
Count Vertigo , Montague Kane
Voice, 2 episodes[ 19]
1993
Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn
Narrator
Voice, TV documentary film
Tracey Ullman Takes on New York
Central Park Acquaintance
Comedy Special
1994
TekWar
Prince Richard
1 episode
ABC Weekend Special
King Sarastro
Episode: "The Magic Flute"
Fall from Grace
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg
TV film
1995
Shadow of a Kiss
Albert
1995–1996
seaQuest DSV
President Alexander Bourne
3 episodes
1995
The Naked Truth
Leland Banks
Episode: "Woman Jokes While Husband Cooks!"
The Magic School Bus
Harry Herp
Voice, episode: "Cold Feet"[ 19]
1996
La Nouvelle tribu
Ilya
Miniseries
September
Edmund
TV film
The Ring
Walmar von Gotthard
Babylon 5
David "King Arthur" McIntyre
Episode: "A Late Delivery from Avalon"
Adventures from the Book of Virtues
Androcles
Voice, episode: "Compassion"[ 19]
Un coup de baguette magique
Ilya
TV film
1997
Superman: The Animated Series
Kanto
Voice, episode: "Tools of the Trade"[ 19]
Sliders
Dr. Vargas
Episode: "This Slide of Paradise"
True Women
Lewis Lawshe
Miniseries
The Ripper
Charles Warren
TV film
1998
Dead Man's Gun
Herr Friederich Von Huber
Episode: "The Collector"
Glory, Glory
Rev. Hopewell
Pilot
A Knight in Camelot
King Arthur
TV film
Perfect Little Angels
Dr. Calvin Lawrence
Search for Nazi Gold
Narrator
TV documentary
2000
Founding Fathers
Alexander Hamilton
TV documentary film
2001
The Lot
Colin Rhome
2 episodes
2002
Liberty's Kids
Admiral Lord Howe
Voice, 2 episodes
Presidio Med
George Slingerland
Episode: "Secrets"
Founding Brothers
Alexander Hamilton
TV documentary film
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Himself
4 episodes
2003
La Femme Musketeer
Jacques D'Artagnan
TV film
2003–2004
Gilmore Girls
Professor Asher Fleming
4 episodes
2004
Crusader
McGovern
TV film
Justice League Unlimited
Ares
Voice, episode: "Hawk and Dove"[ 19]
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!
Master Zan
Voice, episode: "Antauri's Masters"[ 19]
2005
Icon
Nigel Irvine
TV film
2006, 2016–2020
The Simpsons
Mason Fairbanks, Dr. Lionel Budgie, Nigel, Clay
Voice, 4 episodes
2006
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Bernard Fremont
Episode: "Slither"
2007
The Replacements
Agent G
Voice, episode: "London Calling"
2008
Four Seasons
Stephen Combe
Miniseries
Ben 10: Alien Force
Patrick
Voice, episode: "Be-Knighted"[ 19]
2009
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Dr. Nuvo Vindi
Voice, 2 episodes[ 19]
2010
How I Met Your Mother
Jefferson Van Smoot
Episode: "Robots Versus Wrestlers "
Family Guy
Documentary Speaker
Voice, episode: "Partial Terms of Endearment "
Video games
Autobiography
Also available in other editions
Other works
Awards and nominations
[ 20]
References
^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Michael York" . yahoo.com . 2006. Archived from the original on 8 February 2006.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Michael York profile" . FilmReference.com . Retrieved 5 June 2009 .
^ a b c d "York, Michael (1942-) Biography" . BFI Screenonline . Retrieved 10 October 2022 .
^ a b c Grafton-Green, Patrick (18 August 2014). "Hollywood icon Michael York talks about acting, illness and Bromley Little Theatre's fight for survival" . News Shopper . Petts Wood , Kent. Retrieved 19 October 2022 .
^ "The Three Musketeers (1973)" . At-A-Glance Film Reviews . Retrieved 6 October 2012 .
^ "The Island of Dr. Moreau" . Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 19 October 2022 .
^ "Talking with Michael York" . AudioFile . Retrieved 1 November 2022 .
^ a b "Michael York" . Hollywood Walk of Fame . 2002. Retrieved 8 August 2023 .
^ Groves, Martha (16 November 2009). "Stars lined up for elaborate audio Bible: Michael York, Jason Alexander and many others gave voice to a 79-CD reading of Old and New Testaments" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 16 July 2016.
^ "King Lear . Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine . The Old Vic. Accessed 4 November 2014.
^ "International Hall of Fame: Men" . vanityfair.com . 7 July 2011. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012.
^ "National Press Club Luncheon with Michael York, August 12, 2016" . National Press Club . 12 August 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016 .
^ Walker, Tim (27 April 2013). "Cabaret star Michael York's secret battle against killer illness" . The Daily Telegraph . London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
^ "Michael York has blood disorder" . 3 News NZ . 30 April 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2013 .
^ Boseley, Sarah (20 October 2013). "Michael York's battle with amyloidosis" . The Guardian . London. Retrieved 8 August 2023 .
^ Pener, Degen (16 January 2022). "Michael York, Now Living in Minnesota, Lists L.A. Home for $7M" . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 19 October 2022 .
^ "From Hollywood to Rochester: Actor Michael York moves to be closer to Mayo Clinic" . Post-Bulletin . Rochester, Minn. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022 .
^ A Young Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court . Retrieved 8 August 2023 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Michael York (visual voices guide)" . Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 29 August 2023 . A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Michael York Awards" . IMDB (Index source only) . Retrieved 1 November 2022 .
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