Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, his birth name was Michael Griffin. He is one of seven children, raised by a single mother, who worked as a waitress. Michael was the only child from his immediate family to graduate from high school where he was a high school quarterback and a wrestler. He later was a walk-on wrestler for one year at the University of Oklahoma before briefly attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His first theatrical production was in the role of Jimmy in "The Rainmaker". First professional job was non-union, participating in a western gunfight show in an amusement park, playing comical and outlaw characters. His first union job was in a Chevy Truck commercial, though the spot that gained him most attention was that of the soldier stationed in Germany in the AT&T's "Mama's Boy" spot, directed by Leslie Dektor. His first feature film was in the lead role of Sonny Boy in cult favorite "Sonny Boy", released in 1990. His first television appearance was China Beach, playing a soldier from the South. Michael's first screenplay sale was for Little Boy Blue (1997), which was his first screenplay. It was released in 1998. The film starred Ryan Phillippe, Nastassja Kinski, John Savage and Emmy and Tony award winner Shirley Knight. After a 12-year absence, Michael re-entered the film industry with the short Jay (2010) and is actively seeking representation as an actor and as a writer.
