Michael York | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Michael Hugh Johnson (1942-03-27)27 March 1942 (age 83) Fulmer,Buckinghamshire, England |
| Alma mater | University College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Spouse | |
| Relatives | Rick McCallum (stepson) |
| Website | michaelyork |
Michael York,OBE (bornMichael Hugh Johnson;[1] 27 March 1942[2]) is an English film, television, and stage actor. After performing on stage with theRoyal National Theatre, he had a breakthrough in films by playingTybalt inFranco Zeffirelli'sRomeo 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 inSomething for Everyone (1970), Geoffrey Richter-Douglas inZeppelin (1971), Brian Roberts inCabaret (1972), George Conway inLost Horizon (1973),D'Artagnan inThe Three Musketeers (also 1973) and itstwosequels, Count Andrenyi inMurder on the Orient Express (1974), and Logan 5 inLogan's Run (1976). In his later career, York found success asBasil Exposition in theAustin Powers film series (1997–2002).
York is a two-timeEmmy Award nominee, for theABC Afterschool Special:Are You My Mother? (1986) and theAMC seriesThe Lot (2001). In 2002, York received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures. He was awarded theOrder of the British Empire (OBE) at the1996 Birthday Honours.
York was born inFulmer,Gerrards Cross,Buckinghamshire,[2] son of Florence Edith May Chown,[2] a musician, and Joseph Gwynne Johnson,[2] aLlandovery-bornWelsh ex-Royal ArtilleryBritish 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 inBurgess Hill,West Sussex.[3]
During his teenage years, York was educated atBromley Grammar School for Boys,[4]Hurstpierpoint College andUniversity College, Oxford. He did some early acting at the community theatreBromley Little Theatre, and was its president in 2014.[4] This then led to his joining theNational Youth Theatre,[4] also performing with theOxford University Dramatic Society[3] and theUniversity College Players.[3] He began his career in a 1956 production ofThe Yellow Jacket.[1] In 1959, he made hisWest End début with a small part in a production ofHamlet.[1]
Prior to graduating with a degree in English from theUniversity of Oxford in 1964,[1] York had toured with theNational Youth Theatre,[1] After some time with theDundee Repertory Theatre,[1] where he played inBrendan Behan'sThe Hostage, York joinedNational Theatre[1] underLaurence Olivier where he worked withFranco Zeffirelli[1] during the 1965 staging ofMuch Ado About Nothing.[1] Following his role on British TV as Jolyon (Jolly) inThe Forsyte Saga (1967), York made his film debut as Lucentio in Zeffirelli'sThe Taming of the Shrew (1967).[1] He then was cast asTybalt in Zeffirelli's 1968 film adaptation ofRomeo and Juliet. He starred inThe Guru (1969),[2] then played an amoralbisexual drifter inSomething for Everyone (1970). In the 1971 filmZeppelin,[2] he portrayed aWorld War I soldier with conflicted family loyalties who pretends to side with the Germans. He portrayed the bisexual Brian Roberts inBob Fosse's film version ofCabaret (1972).[2] In 1975, he portrayed a British soldier in 19th century colonial India inConduct Unbecoming,[2] the first of three films he did with directorMichael Anderson. In 1977, he reunited with Franco Zeffirelli asJohn the Baptist inJesus of Nazareth.[2]
York starred asD'Artagnan in the 1973 adaptation ofThe Three Musketeers[2] and he made hisBroadway début in the original production ofTennessee Williams'sOut Cry.[2] One year later the sequel toThe Three Musketeers was released (roughly covering events in the second half of the book) titledThe Four Musketeers.[5] Fifteen years later, most of the cast (and crew) joined together in a third film titledThe Return of the Musketeers based on the Dumas novelTwenty Years After.[2] He played the title character in the film adaptation ofLogan's Run (1976), a fugitive who tries to escape a computer-controlled society.[2] The following year, he starred inThe Island of Dr. Moreau oppositeBurt Lancaster.[6]
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 theRoad to Avonlea series as Ezekiel Crane, the lighthouse keeper of Avonlea and foster father of Gus Pike.[2] HisBroadway theatre credits includeBent (1980),[2]The Crucible (1992),Someone Who'll Watch Over Me (1993) and the ill-fated musicalThe 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 ofC. S. Lewis'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.[7]
York appeared in the 1996Babylon 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 inA Knight in Camelot. He also appeared as Professor Asher Fleming, a 60-year-oldYale professor and boyfriend of Yale studentParis Geller (Liza Weil) during the fourth season ofGilmore Girls.[2] Additionally, York voiced numerous characters in theDC Animated Universe:Count Vertigo and Montague Kane inBatman: The Animated Series,Kanto inSuperman: The Animated Series, andAres inJustice League Unlimited. York starred in bothThe Omega Code and its sequel,Megiddo: The Omega Code 2, as Stone Alexander, theAntichrist fromChristian eschatology.[2]
In 2002, York received a Star on theHollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures.[8] He playedPresident Alexander Bourne ofMacaronesia onseaQuest 2032. He playedBasil Exposition in all three of theAustin Powers films.[3] He has made an appearance onThe 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 lifeserial killerCharles Sobhraj) in theLaw & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Slither". He also appeared as a fictionalised version of himself in several episodes of the third season ofCurb Your Enthusiasm as an investor in Larry's new restaurant 'BoBo's. In 2009, he lent his voice toStar Wars: The Clone Wars.
York voicedPetrie's uncle Pterano inThe Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire. In 2009, he narrated the entire Bible forThe Word of Promise Audio Bible, a performance of theNew King James Version.[9] York again playedKing Arthur in a revival ofLerner andLoewe'sCamelot, which began its run at the La Mirada Theatre inSouthern California, and toured nationally in 2006 and 2007.
York portrays Luke inThe Truth & Life Dramatised Audio New Testament Bible, a 22-hour audio dramatisation of the New Testament, which uses theRevised Standard Version Catholic Edition translation. In 2008, York took part in theBBC Wales programmeComing Home about his Welsh family history. In September 2013, York played Albany in the Gala Performance ofWilliam Shakespeare'sKing Lear atthe Old Vic in London.[10]
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 isStar Wars andYoung Indiana Jones producerRick McCallum. York was named to theInternational Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1977.[11]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Michael York Speaks at The National Press Club on amyloidosis, 4:00-60:00, 12 August 2016,National Press Club[12] |
York announced he was suffering from the rare disease calledamyloidosis in 2013.[13] Doctors initially thought he hadbone cancer.[14] He underwent astem cell transplant, which can alleviate symptoms, in 2012.[15]
In 2022, in order to be closer to theMayo Clinic for treatment, York and his wife moved toRochester, Minnesota.[16][17]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | The Taming of the Shrew | Lucentio | |
| Confessions of Loving Couples | Peter | ||
| Accident | William | ||
| Red and Blue | Acrobat | Short film | |
| Smashing Time | Tom Wabe | ||
| 1968 | Separation | Himself | Uncredited |
| Romeo and Juliet | Tybalt | ||
| The Strange Affair | Peter Strange | ||
| 1969 | The Guru | Tom Pickle | |
| Alfred the Great | Guthrum | ||
| Justine | Darley | ||
| 1970 | Something for Everyone | Konrad Ludwig | |
| 1971 | Zeppelin | Geoffrey Richter-Douglas | |
| Touch and Go [fr] | Basil | ||
| 1972 | Cabaret | Brian Roberts | |
| 1973 | Lost Horizon | George Conway | |
| England Made Me | Anthony Farrant | ||
| The Three Musketeers | D'Artagnan | ||
| 1974 | The Four Musketeers | ||
| Great Expectations | Pip | ||
| Murder on the Orient Express | Count Rudolf Andrenyi | ||
| 1975 | Conduct Unbecoming | Lieutenant Arthur Drake | |
| 1976 | Logan's Run | Logan 5 | |
| Seven Nights in Japan | Prince George | ||
| 1977 | Jesus of Nazareth | John the Baptist | |
| The Island of Dr. Moreau | Andrew Braddock | ||
| The Last Remake of Beau Geste | Beau Geste | ||
| 1978 | Fedora | Himself | |
| 1979 | The Riddle of the Sands[18] | Charles Carruthers | |
| 1980 | Final Assignment | Lyosha Petrov | |
| 1981 | The White Lions | Chris McBride | |
| 1983 | For Those I Loved | Martin Gray | |
| 1984 | Success Is the Best Revenge | Alex Rodak | |
| 1986 | Dawn | John Dawson | |
| 1987 | Lethal Obsession | Dr. Proper | |
| 1988 | Phantom of Death | Robert Dominici | |
| Midnight Cop | Karstens | ||
| 1989 | The Return of the Musketeers | D'Artagnan | |
| 1990 | Come See the Paradise | Dance Hall Band | |
| 1991 | Eline Vere | Lawrence St. Clare | |
| 1992 | The Long Shadow | Gabor Romandy | |
| 1993 | Wide Sargasso Sea | Paul Mason | |
| 1994 | Discretion Assured | Trevor McCabe | |
| 1995 | Gospa | Milan Vukovic | |
| A Young Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court | Merlin | [19] | |
| Not of This Earth | Paul Johnson | ||
| 1997 | Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery | Basil Exposition | |
| Goodbye America | Senator Bladon | ||
| Dark Planet | Capt. Winter | ||
| The Long Way Home | Narrator | Voice, documentary | |
| A Christmas Carol | Bob Cratchit | Voice | |
| 1998 | Merchants of Venus | Alex Jakoff | |
| Wrongfully Accused | Hibbing Goodhue | ||
| 54 | Ambassador | ||
| The Treat | Simon | ||
| Lovers & Liars | Dick Bunche | ||
| One Hell of a Guy | Devil | ||
| 1999 | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | Basil Exposition | |
| Puss in Boots | Puss in Boots | Voice[20] | |
| The Omega Code | Stone Alexander | ||
| The Haunting of Hell House | Professor Ambrose | ||
| 2000 | The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire | Pterano | Voice[20] |
| Borstal Boy | Joyce | ||
| A Monkey's Tale | Lankoo King | Voice[20] | |
| 2001 | Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 | Stone Alexander, Satan | |
| 2002 | Austin Powers in Goldmember | Basil Exposition | |
| A Very Merry Pooh Year | Narrator | Voice | |
| 2004 | Moscow Heat | Roger Chambers | |
| 2007 | Flatland: The Movie | Spherius | Voice |
| 2008 | Testimony: The Untold Story of Pope John Paul II | Narrator | Voice, documentary film |
| 2009 | Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | Prime #1 | Voice[20] |
| 2010 | Pravosudiye Volkov | Mikhail Polyakov | |
| Quixote | Don Quixote | Voice, short film | |
| Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes | Sherlock Holmes | Voice[20] | |
| The Justice of Wolves | Mika | ||
| Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey | Core | Voice | |
| 2011 | The Mill and the Cross | Nicolaes Jonghelinck | |
| Glad Christmas Tidings | Narrator | Voice | |
| 2012 | Flatland 2: Sphereland | Spherius | |
| 2014 | Sleeping Beauty | Narrator | |
| 2025 | Dreams | Private Agent | |
| TBD | The Crystal Palace | The Patriarch | Voice In production[21] |
| 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[20] |
| 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"[20] | |
| 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"[20] | |
| Un coup de baguette magique | Ilya | TV film | |
| 1997 | Superman: The Animated Series | Kanto | Voice, episode: "Tools of the Trade"[20] |
| 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"[20] | |
| Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! | Master Zan | Voice, episode: "Antauri's Masters"[20] | |
| 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"[20] | |
| 2009 | Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Dr. Nuvo Vindi | Voice, 2 episodes[20] |
| 2010 | How I Met Your Mother | Jefferson Van Smoot | Episode: "Robots Versus Wrestlers" |
| Family Guy | Documentary Speaker | Voice, episode: "Partial Terms of Endearment" |
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Die by the Sword | Instructor | |
| 1998 | Tex Murphy: Overseer | J. Saint Gideon |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964-5 | The Royal Hunt of the Sun | T/O Indian | The Old Vic andChichester Festival Theatre |
| 1964 | An Evening of Original and Macabre Theatre | The Interview: Bull | Dundee Repertory Theatre |
| 1965 | Much Ado About Nothing | Bristol Hippodrome | |
| Watchman | The Old Vic | ||
| 1965-6 | Armstrong’s Last Goodnight | Archie Armstrong | The Old Vic andChichester Festival Theatre |
| Trelawny of the Wells | Arthur Glower | ||
| 1970 | Hamlet | Prince Hamlet | Thorndike Theatre |
| 1973 | Out Cry | Broadway | |
| 1975 | Ring Round the Moon | Ahmanson Theatre | |
| 1980 | Bent | Broadway | |
| 1981 | Cyrano de Bergerac | Cyrano de Bergerac | Santa Fe Festival Theatre |
| 1982 | The Little Prince | Broadway | |
| 1983 | Paying the Palace | ||
| 1990 | Whisper in the Mind | ||
| 1991 | The Crucible | National Actors Theatre | |
| 1993 | Someone Who'll Watch Over Me | Broadway | |
| Norma | Williamstown Theatre Festival | ||
| Under Milk Wood | |||
| 1996 | Irwa Gershwin at 100 | Host | Carnegie Hall |
| 1997 | Magda's Story | ||
| Live at the Lensic | Benefit Variety Show, Santa Fe | ||
| 2001 | Conversations on “A Life in the Theatre” | Pasadena Playhouse | |
| The Journey ofFalstaff andHenry V | Narrator | Kennedy Center | |
| Scenes and Sonnets | |||
| 2002 | Christopher Columbus: A Musical Journey | Christopher Columbus | |
| Shakespeare at the Bowl | Hollywood Bowl | ||
| 2003 | Dear Editor: A 90th Anniversary Celebration of Poetry Magazine | ||
| For The Time Being: Advent | |||
| Enoch Arden | |||
| Broadway Goes to the Movies | |||
| 2004 | Russian David… Soviet Goliath | Dimitri Shostakovich | Aspen Music Festival |
| 2005 | Peer Gynt | Peer Gynt | |
| Shadows and Voices: The Last Days of Tchaikovsky | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | Aspen Music Festival | |
| 2013 | King Lear | Albany | The Old Vic andSt James Theatre |
| 2016 | Murder, Lust and Madness |
