MICHAEL YORK
In a career spanning nearly 50 years, English actor Michael York has surely covered the spectrum of dramatic genres -- from romance and sci-fi to religious and comedic -- Michael has done them all. He is probably best known for his roles in Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet, the 1970’s science fiction epic Logan’s Run, and as Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers movies.
Born Michael Hugh Johnson on March 27th, 1942, in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, England. He attended the Bromely Grammar School For Boys. His first acting gig was in a 1956 production of The Yellow Jacket. Three years later, Michael would make his West End debut with a small role in Hamlet. Before he graduated from the University of Oxford in 1964, Michael toured with the National Youth Theatre, the University College Players, The Oxford University Dramatic Society, the Dundee Repertory Theatre, and The National Theatre. While at the latter in 1965, Michael first worked with director Franco Zeffirelli in a stage production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Two years later, Zeffirelli hired Michael for his screen debut in The Taming of the Shrew. The year following, Zeffirelli cast him again in what would be one of his most memorable roles: that of Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, opposite Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting.
Michael never stopped working after this. His other memorable films (of this early period) include Bob Fosse’s Cabaret in 1972, The Three Musketeers in 1973, The Four Musketeers in 1974, Murder on the Orient Express in 1974, and Logan’s Run in 1976.
In 1977, Michael reunited with director Franco Zeffirelli, to play John the Baptist in his six-hour miniseries Jesus of Nazareth starring Robert Powell. Many (including myself) believe this is hands down the best telling of the Christ story ever filmed.
Appearing in multiple film, television and theatre productions every year since 1967, some of Michael’s later successes were The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977), The Phantom of the Opera (1983), a recurring role on CBS’s Knot’s Landing (1987-88), The Return of the Musketeers (1989), David Copperfield (1993), and many others.
In 1997, Michael had a career resurgence when he was cast as the ironically christened Basil Exposition in Mike Myers’ Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Michael also appeared in its two sequels.
Having branched out beyond film, television and the stage, Michael is now also involved in voiceover work for video games, audio books, and animated features.
Married to Patricia McCallum since March of 1968, the Yorks reside in California. (Of interest, Star Wars producer Rick McCallum is Patricia’s son from a previous marriage.)
Up next for Michael: The Mill and the Cross and Quantum Heist.
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