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 Michael Ironside has made a strong and indelible impression with his often incredibly intense and explosive portrayals of fearsome villains throughout the years. He was born as Frederick Reginald Ironside on February 12, 1950 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ironside was a successful arm wrestler in his teenage years. His initial ambition was to be a writer. At age fifteen, Michael wrote a play called "The Shelter" that won first prize in a Canada-wide university contest; He used the prize money to mount a production of this play. Ironside attended the Ontario College of Art, took acting lessons from Janine Manatis, and studied for three years at the Canadian National Film Board. Ironside worked in construction as a roofer prior to embarking on an acting career.Ironside first began acting in movies in the late 1970s. He received plenty of recognition with his frightening turn as deadly and powerful psychic Darryl Revok in David Cronenberg's Scanners (1981). He was likewise very chilling as vicious misogynistic psychopath Colt Hawker in the underrated Visiting Hours (1982). Other memorable film roles include weary Detective Roersch in the sadly forgotten thriller Cross Country (1983), the crazed Overdog in the immensely enjoyable Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983), the hard-nosed Jester in the blockbuster smash Top Gun (1986), ramrod Major Paul Hackett in Extreme Prejudice (1987), loner Vietnam veteran "Ben" in Nowhere to Hide (1987), the ferocious Lem Johnson in Watchers (1988), and lethal immortal General Katana in Highlander II: The Quickening (1991).Moreover, Ironside has appeared in two highly entertaining science fiction features for Paul Verhoeven: At his savage best as the evil Richter in Total Recall (1990) and typically excellent as the rugged Lieutenant Jean Rasczak in Starship Troopers (1997). Ironside showed a more tender and thoughtful side with his lovely and touching performance as a hardened convict who befriends a disabled man in the poignant indie drama gem Chaindance (1991); he also co-wrote the script and served as an executive producer for this beautiful sleeper. Michael was terrific as tough mercenary Ham Tyler on the epic miniseries V (1984), its follow up V: The Final Battle (1984), and subsequent short-lived spin-off series.Ironside also had a recurring role on the television series SeaQuest 2032 (1993). Among the television series he has done guest spots on are The A-Team (1983), Hill Street Blues (1981), The New Mike Hammer (1984), The Hitchhiker (1983), Tales from the Crypt (1989), Superman: The Animated Series (1996), Walker, Texas Ranger (1993), The Outer Limits (1995), ER (1994), Smallville (2001), ER (1994), Desperate Housewives (2004), Justice League (2001) and Masters of Horror (2005). More recently, Ironside garnered a slew of plaudits and a Gemini Award nomination for his outstanding portrayal of shrewd biker gang leader Bob Durelle in the acclaimed Canadian miniseries The Last Chapter II: The War Continues (2003).In addition to his substantial film and television work, Ironside has also lent his distinctive deep voice to TV commercials and video games.
Bio:
Michael Ironside has made a strong and indelible impression with his often incredibly intense and explosive portrayals of fearsome villains throughout the years. He was born as Frederick Reginald Ironside on February 12, 1950 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ironside was a successful arm wrestler in his teenage years. His initial ambition was to be a writer. At age fifteen, Michael wrote a play called "The Shelter" that won first prize in a Canada-wide university contest; He used the prize money to mount a production of this play. Ironside attended the Ontario College of Art, took acting lessons from Janine Manatis, and studied for three years at the Canadian National Film Board. Ironside worked in construction as a roofer prior to embarking on an acting career.Ironside first began acting in movies in the late 1970s. He received plenty of recognition with his frightening turn as deadly and powerful psychic Darryl Revok in David Cronenberg's Scanners (1981). He was likewise very chilling as vicious misogynistic psychopath Colt Hawker in the underrated Visiting Hours (1982). Other memorable film roles include weary Detective Roersch in the sadly forgotten thriller Cross Country (1983), the crazed Overdog in the immensely enjoyable Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983), the hard-nosed Jester in the blockbuster smash Top Gun (1986), ramrod Major Paul Hackett in Extreme Prejudice (1987), loner Vietnam veteran "Ben" in Nowhere to Hide (1987), the ferocious Lem Johnson in Watchers (1988), and lethal immortal General Katana in Highlander II: The Quickening (1991).Moreover, Ironside has appeared in two highly entertaining science fiction features for Paul Verhoeven: At his savage best as the evil Richter in Total Recall (1990) and typically excellent as the rugged Lieutenant Jean Rasczak in Starship Troopers (1997). Ironside showed a more tender and thoughtful side with his lovely and touching performance as a hardened convict who befriends a disabled man in the poignant indie drama gem Chaindance (1991); he also co-wrote the script and served as an executive producer for this beautiful sleeper. Michael was terrific as tough mercenary Ham Tyler on the epic miniseries V (1984), its follow up V: The Final Battle (1984), and subsequent short-lived spin-off series.Ironside also had a recurring role on the television series SeaQuest 2032 (1993). Among the television series he has done guest spots on are The A-Team (1983), Hill Street Blues (1981), The New Mike Hammer (1984), The Hitchhiker (1983), Tales from the Crypt (1989), Superman: The Animated Series (1996), Walker, Texas Ranger (1993), The Outer Limits (1995), ER (1994), Smallville (2001), ER (1994), Desperate Housewives (2004), Justice League (2001) and Masters of Horror (2005). More recently, Ironside garnered a slew of plaudits and a Gemini Award nomination for his outstanding portrayal of shrewd biker gang leader Bob Durelle in the acclaimed Canadian miniseries The Last Chapter II: The War Continues (2003).In addition to his substantial film and television work, Ironside has also lent his distinctive deep voice to TV commercials and video games.
Tivia:
During filming of Total Recall (1990), Arnold Schwarzenegger noticed that he was constantly on the phone between takes. When he broached the subject with him, he was told the he was phoning his sister and that she was currently suffering from cancer. Arnold immediately brought Michael to his trailer and they had an hour-long 3-way conversation with Ironside's sister about what exercises she should do and what kinds of foods she should be eating. Ironside has never forgotten Schwarzenegger's kindness and neither has his sister.Has had a love of reading since childhood, with which he credits his father instilling in him: "My dad gave me and my brother this rule - as long as we were reading and doing nothing else, we could stay up until dawn or until we passed out... whichever came first. That's why, to this day, I'm a sucker for a good book.".Admitted in an interview with George Stroumboulopoulos that he has had both his knees replaced (they are both titanium). He ruined them playing football and roofing before he made it into films.At age 15, he wrote a play called "The Shelter" which won first prize in a Canada-wide university contest. He used the prize money to mount his own production of said play.Has turned down roles of characters in wheelchairs due to his last name being the same as Raymond Burr's paraplegic television character.Was for some time attached to play the title role in RoboCop (1987), but the crew had to give up on the idea when they realized that he would have to have a much smaller frame to fit into the costume envisaged.Said in an interview he is mostly recognized by the public from his voice-over work in the Splinter Cell (2002) series.Is a huge fan of Professional Wrestling and Frank Herbert's "Dune" series.Has started acting in Canadian television and films in 1977 and attracted American attention with his role in David Cronenberg's Scanners (1981) which earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination in the Canadian Genie Awards.Came to notice in the Canadian sci-fi horror classic Scanners (1981) in which he played the mind-controlling, head-blowing megalomaniac Darryl Revok, which led to a dynamic, infamous career of out-and-out villains or edgy anti-heroes.Like Terence Stamp, he has played both a Superman adversary and friend. The adversary he played was Darkseid, one of Superman's greatest enemies, on the animated series Justice League (2001). The friend he played was General Sam Lane, father of Lois Lane (Clark Kent's future bride) on the television series Smallville (2001).A talented arm wrestler in his youth, he ironically often loses an arm and/or other limb in his films: Total Recall (1990), Starship Troopers (1997), The Machinist (2004) and Guy X (2005). If he had not been too bulky, he also would have played Alex Murphy in RoboCop (1987).Has a daughter, Findlay Ironside, by his second wife Karen Marls Dinwiddie.Good friends with WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler (aka Jerry "The King" Lawler).His father was a street lighting technician and his mother was a housewife.Has English, Irish and Scottish ancestry.He has played four DC Comics characters: Darkseid in Superman: The Animated Series (1996) and Justice League (2001), Batman in Legends of the Dark Knight (1998), General Sam Lane in Gone (2004), Fa?ade (2004) and Ambush (2010) and Lewis Snart in Family of Rogues (2015).His brother is a high school shop teacher in his hometown of Toronto, Ontario.Father of Adrienne Ironside from a previous marriage.Is the oldest of five children of Robert Walter and Patricia June Ironside.Attended and graduated from OCAD University in Toronto, Ontario.He played Peyton List's father in two CW television series based on DC Comics: Lucy Lane's father General Sam Lane in Ambush (2010) and Lisa Snart / Golden Glider's father Lewis Snart in Family of Rogues (2015).Lives in Los Angeles, California.Good friends with actor Mickey Jones.Moved to Los Angeles, California, USA in 1982. |
| Name: |
Michael Ironside |
Type: |
Actor,Producer,Writer (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
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Business scope: |
Actor,Producer,Writer |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Producer,Writer |
| Model rank: |
260 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 03:22:02 |
| Height: |
5' 9' (1.75 m) |
| Biography: |
Michael Ironside has made a strong and indelible impression with his often incredibly intense and explosive portrayals of fearsome villains throughout the years. He was born as Frederick Reginald Ironside on February 12, 1950 in Toronto, Ontario, Can |
| Trivia: |
During filming of Total Recall (1990), Arnold Schwarzenegger noticed that he was constantly on the phone between takes. When he broached the subject with him, he was told the he was phoning his sister and that she was currently suffering from cancer. Arnold immediately brought Michael to his trailer and they had an hour-long 3-way conversation with Ironside's sister about what exercises she should do and what kinds of foods she should be eating. Ironside has never forgotten Schwarzenegger's kindness and neither has his sister.Has had a love of reading since childhood, with which he credits his father instilling in him: "My dad gave me and my brother this rule - as long as we were reading and doing nothing else, we could stay up until dawn or until we passed out... whichever came first. That's why, to this day, I'm a sucker for a good book.".Admitted in an interview with George Stroumboulopoulos that he has had both his knees replaced (they are both titanium). He ruined them playing football and roofing before he made it into films.At age 15, he wrote a play called "The Shelter" which won first prize in a Canada-wide university contest. He used the prize money to mount his own production of said play.Has turned down roles of characters in wheelchairs due to his last name being the same as Raymond Burr's paraplegic television character.Was for some time attached to play the title role in RoboCop (1987), but the crew had to give up on the idea when they realized that he would have to have a much smaller frame to fit into the costume envisaged.Said in an interview he is mostly recognized by the public from his voice-over work in the Splinter Cell (2002) series.Is a huge fan of Professional Wrestling and Frank Herbert's "Dune" series.Has started acting in Canadian television and films in 1977 and attracted American attention with his role in David Cronenberg's Scanners (1981) which earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination in the Canadian Genie Awards.Came to notice in the Canadian sci-fi horror classic Scanners (1981) in which he played the mind-controlling, head-blowing megalomaniac Darryl Revok, which led to a dynamic, infamous career of out-and-out villains or edgy anti-heroes.Like Terence Stamp, he has played both a Superman adversary and friend. The adversary he played was Darkseid, one of Superman's greatest enemies, on the animated series Justice League (2001). The friend he played was General Sam Lane, father of Lois Lane (Clark Kent's future bride) on the television series Smallville (2001).A talented arm wrestler in his youth, he ironically often loses an arm and/or other limb in his films: Total Recall (1990), Starship Troopers (1997), The Machinist (2004) and Guy X (2005). If he had not been too bulky, he also would have played Alex Murphy in RoboCop (1987).Has a daughter, Findlay Ironside, by his second wife Karen Marls Dinwiddie.Good friends with WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler (aka Jerry "The King" Lawler).His father was a street lighting technician and his mother was a housewife.Has English, Irish and Scottish ancestry.He has played four DC Comics characters: Darkseid in Superman: The Animated Series (1996) and Justice League (2001), Batman in Legends of the Dark Knight (1998), General Sam Lane in Gone (2004), Fa?ade (2004) and Ambush (2010) and Lewis Snart in Family of Rogues (2015).His brother is a high school shop teacher in his hometown of Toronto, Ontario.Father of Adrienne Ironside from a previous marriage.Is the oldest of five children of Robert Walter and Patricia June Ironside.Attended and graduated from OCAD University in Toronto, Ontario.He played Peyton List's father in two CW television series based on DC Comics: Lucy Lane's father General Sam Lane in Ambush (2010) and Lisa Snart / Golden Glider's father Lewis Snart in Family of Rogues (2015).Lives in Los Angeles, California.Good friends with actor Mickey Jones.Moved to Los Angeles, California, USA in 1982. |
| Trademarks: |
Deep yet gravelly commanding voice
Being an actor with a great sense of physicality, he frequently plays characters who lose limbs, such as in Total Recall (1990), Starship Troopers (1997), The Machinist (2004) and Guy X (2005).
Often plays military commanders and authority figures
Often plays fearsome, menacing villains
Scar on the left side of his face |
| Quotes: |
I like to play bad guys, since good guys are always beaten up several times during the movie. Bad guys are beaten only once, in the end.
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I get to bring these misshapen, emotionally unbalanced people to life.
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If I didn't like the attention, I suppose I wouldn't be doing this job. What do you do? Destroy someone's fantasy about you or play it to the limit? I still haven't quite worked it all out and I don't know how to resolve it. It's said actors act because they fear death and it's the one and only certainty for some kind of immortality. My attitude is: screw the future, let's get on with here and now. You don't know how long it'll last.
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<hr>
The weirder the role, the more toys around to help suspend reality, the easier it is - and the better I think my work gets. All of these things make it easier to take risks. Children - and actors - take risks all the time.
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Acting itself is a very childlike thing. You're asked to suspend reality and to play - and what better place than when you're sitting there looking like the most weird villain imaginable? You have all these toys around you. It brings out the child in you much easier than when you're standing around in a suit playing a cop. |
| Job title: |
Actor,Producer,Writer |
| Others works: |
Appeared in play, "Look Back in Anger"
Voice over work for "The World Wildlife Foundation" commercials
TV commercials for Big Brother organization.
80's TV commercial for Wisk Laundry Detergent
1993 TV commercial for Labatt Ma |
| Spouse: |
Karen Marls Dinwiddie (September 30, 1986 - present) (1 child)? (divorced, 1 child) |
| Parents: |
Robert Walter Ironside
Patricia June Passmore |
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