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Michael Rooker | |
|---|---|
 Rooker in 2024 | |
| Born | April 6, 1955 Jasper, Alabama, U.S. |
| Education | DePaul University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouse |
Margot Rooker (m. 1979) |
| Children | 2 |
| Signature | |
 | |
Michael Rooker (born April 6, 1955)[1] is an American actor who mainly plays roles of antagonists. He first rose to prominence for portraying the titular role in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986), and is best known for starring as Merle Dixon in the AMC series The Walking Dead (2010–2013) and as Yondu Udonta in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), followed by its sequels Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). He is a recurring collaborator of Guardians of the Galaxy director and co-CEO of DC studios James Gunn, appearing in all of his films to date including Slither (2006), Super (2010) and The Suicide Squad (2021).
Rooker's other notable roles include Chick Gandil in Eight Men Out (1988), Frank Bailey in Mississippi Burning (1988), Terry Cruger in Sea of Love (1989), Rowdy Burns in Days of Thunder (1990), Bill Broussard in JFK (1991), Hal Tucker in Cliffhanger (1993), Sherman McMaster in Tombstone (1993), Jared Svenning in Mallrats (1995), Detective Edward Kennesaw in Deceiver (1997), Detective Howard Cheney in The Bone Collector (1999), Detective Jake Riley in Replicant (2001), and Buddy in F9 (2021).
Early life
Rooker was born in Jasper, Alabama. He has nine brothers and sisters. His parents divorced when he was 13, and he moved with his mother and siblings to Chicago, where he attended Wells Community Academy High School and studied at the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University.[2][3][4]
Career
Rooker made his film debut in 1986, playing the title role in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, based on the confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.[5] He was acting in a play when the play's director, who was going to do the prosthetics for Henry, told him about the role. Rooker did not care if the script was good or bad; he just wanted to act in a film as it would "challenge" him.[6] Henry was a critical success and Rooker received more film roles.
He 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,[7] and Tombstone.[8] He also starred in Mallrats, Rosewood, The 6th Day, Slither, Jumper, Super[9] and Hypothermia.[10][11]
In June 2010, Rooker 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 becoming a series regular for the third season.[12][13]
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 as Merle in The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, the video game based on the television series.
He played Yondu Udonta in the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy, directed by James Gunn,[14] and reprised the role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)[15] as well as The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022). In 2021 he appeared in the action film F9, directed by Justin Lin.[16]
Personal life
Rooker lives in California with his wife Margot. They married in 1979 and have two daughters. He practices the Kyokushin style of karate.[1][17]
Filmography
Film
Television
Video games
References
- ^ a b "Michael Rooker". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ "'They' Command You to Score New TP/HC From Image". Bloody Disgusting. June 4, 2009. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Biography - Yahoo! Movies". Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ Hardwick, Chris (December 20, 2011). "Nerdist Podcast #151: Michael Rooker". Nerdist. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
- ^ "Dark Sky's Hypothermia is Rolling! Full Casting News". Dread Central. February 10, 2010. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Discusses 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer'". Yahoo. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013.
- ^ "A Chat with Horror Icon Michael Rooker". Dread Central. October 18, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "TV: Michael Rooker Becomes One of 'The Walking Dead'!". Bloody Disgusting. June 11, 2010. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "Blood-Soaked Snow in First Hi-Res Look at 'Hypothermia'". Bloody Disgusting. April 15, 2010. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Scores Leading Role in Dark Sky's 'Hypothermia'!". Bloody Disgusting. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "First Look at Michael Rooker on the Set of 'Hypothermia'!". Bloody Disgusting. February 26, 2010. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Joining AMC's The Walking Dead". Dread Central. October 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "Michael Rooker interview (Merle Dixon on "The Walking Dead")". The Desk of Brian. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Michael Rooker Joins 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'". Deadline Hollywood. April 16, 2013. Archived from the original on April 18, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Says Yondu Will Return for Guardians of the Galaxy 2". Renegade Cinema. November 9, 2014. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
- ^ "Michael Rooker Buckles Up For 'Fast & Furious 9'". Deadline Hollywood. August 19, 2019. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ Francisco, Eric (August 3, 2021). "Michael Rooker: A real-life superpower inspired his 'Suicide Squad' role [Exclusive]". Inverse. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "Truly Disturbing: Horror Icon of the Month: Michael Rooker | Michael Rooker Online". www.michaelrookeronline.com. December 2011. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (October 28, 2021). "'The Out-Laws': Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Lil Rel Howery & More Round Out Cast Of Netflix Action Comedy". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed: Sean Astin, Tom Arnold, Michael Rooker, Penn Jillette, Zelda Williams, Matt Walsh, Alison Haislip, Meghan Camarena, William Shatner, Kevin Smith, Tony Hawk, Jeremy Snead: Amazon Digital Services LLC". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Cast & Crew - Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed". unlockedtvshow.com (Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed official website). Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ Stipp, Christopher (November 19, 2016). "This Week In Trailers: I Am Not Your Negro, The New Man, Detour, Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed, The Salesman". Slashfilm. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Rooker.
- Official website
- Michael Rooker at IMDb