|
|
"My laptop was completely ruined when my office flooded. Even the hard disk was wrecked; but I didn't lose a single document."
 | Michael pare News - 1-July-2006 |  |
 Biography of Michael Paré
BIOGRAPHY OF MICHAEL PARÉ
When Michael Kevin Pare arrived on October 9,
1959, it is almost certain that his fame in the stage,
screen and television arenas were not uppermost in
his parent's minds. Born in Brooklyn, New York,
Michael was the eighth child to come along in the
lives of his French Canadian father, Francis, and
Irish mother, Joan.
Unfortunately, Michael's father (who ran two
print shops and was studying to become a lawyer at
the time) died of leukemia when Michael was
around five years old. An uncontrollable unruliness
resulted in him, and, when he was in junior high
school, he was sent to live with his ex-marine Uncle
and twelve cousins, in Fenton, Michigan. While in
high school, Michael not only wrestled and worked
at a local Dairy Queen, but managed to finish
school a year before he was scheduled to. He was
smart enough to also be awarded a scholarship to
the University of Michigan. Instead, however, he
headed to Poughkeepsie, New York to become a
master chef at the Culinary Institute of America.
Michael figured if he could cook, he would always
have a good job.
He left after two years and moved to Manhattan.
He worked his way up the ladder to a job as sous-
chef at the Tavern On The Green restaurant in New
York's Central Park.
At the age of 22, Michael first appeared in a
television commercial for Pierre Cardin. He also, at
that time, modeled for a print ad for an automobile.
A little over a year later, super agent Joyce Selznick
came to New York as part of an ABC nationwide
talent hunt judge. While having dinner at another
agents home, Selznick and her partner Jan
McCormick were looking through photos of rejected
talent. When they came across Michael's photo, they
were struck by his facial features and they decided
to screen test him for a role in the ABC series THE
GREATEST AMERICAN HERO. Joyce Selznick later
became Michael's agent. Michael was off to Los
Angeles several weeks later and landed a regular
role in the series. He was on his way. His role in the
series also led him to a leading role (alongside
newcomer Ray Liotta) in an ABC television movie
CRAZY TIMES. Then came the casting director for
the film EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS, who thought
Pare was perfect for the role of Eddie, and the result
was that Michael Pare became
a cult superstar.
In his career, Michael has made major theatrical
motion pictures such as THE PHILADELPHIA
EXPERIMENT, STREETS OF FIRE, BAD MOON, and
INTO THE SUN, before turning to cable and films
made for video. Those include the fine features
SUNSET HEAT, FALLING FIRE, WARRIORS, BLINK OF
AN EYE, and THE CLOSER. Most of Pare's cable and
video features are first release theatrically overseas,
and then placed on cable and video tape in the USA.
If this wasn't enough, Pare also found time to
appear in three stage productions and 31 episodes
of the CBS television series, HOUSTON KNIGHTS.
In 1998, Michael hit a home run with the
theatrical release of HOPE FLOATS which became
the 19th largest grossing film that was released in
1998. It also became his first feature that, when it
was released on video tape, was priced so that the
public could immediately acquire this popular
property.
While his part was small (he shared screen time
with Sandra Bullock, Gena Rowlands, Kathy Nijamy,
Harry Connick, Jr., and Rossanna Arquette), it
proved what a wide range he could handle when
given the chance. 1998, ended in a high point,
when Michael starred in the off-Broadway play, THE
BLACK MARBLE SHOE SHINE STAND. Future video
releases include BACK TO EVEN, and OCTOBER 22.
Pare has proven to be unafraid to take small
roles in different and important productions. In
addition to his role in HOPE FLOATS, in 1995 he
played the role of Frank McGowan in the remake of
the classic film VILLAGE OF THE d**nED.
And, in 1986, he appeared in a nonspeaking role
in the music video THE LETTER. His visual portrayal
was performed against the classic song by The Box
Tops.That music video was the highlight of the tape
DEJA VIEW which was produced by the Scotti
Brothers, who were responsible for both EDDIE AND
THE CRUISERS and EDDIE LIVES! In 1999, Michael
took a cameo role in the film, VIRGIN SUICIDES,
produced by Francis Ford Coppola, and directed by
Sofia Coppola.
Like other American performers (such as Mel
Gibson and Arnold Schwarzenneger) Michael has
appeared in Japanese commercials and print
advertising. A health advocate, Pare has said the
best way to keep his mind and body healthy and to
reduce stress, is for him to work out. He also does
isometric yoga exercises at least once a day to keep
himself in top physical shape.
In a not so recent interview, Michael said he
would relish playing a bad guy, and in OCTOBER 22,
he gets his wish. It is a new departure for him, not
playing the hero, but one that requires the acting
stretch he desires. We know he will deliver!
And deliver he does. In spades! Michael has been
regularly starring and costarring in numerous
motion pictures. He again got his wish to play the
bad guy in THE DEBT (in which he costarred with
Lorenzo Lamas), and stretched his acting muscles
with his psychopathic role in IN THE DEAD OF
SPACE. He has also toplined the films MEN OF
MEANS, PERIL, SANCTIMONY, and BLACKWOODS, as
well as in 22 episodes of the Canadian made
television series STAR HUNTER.
Michael Pare has managed to build himself an
impressive body of work...from cult classics like
EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS and STREETS OF FIRE to
his recent cameo, yet privitol, roles in the films
HOPE FLOATS and THE VIRGIN SUICIDES.
For Pare it is the challenge that makes him
continue to seek out and find the multitude of
different roles he creates. For, as Michael has said,
acting is his life. Michael Pare will never have to
worry about being a chef again. But, boy can he
cook...especially on screen.
Michael presently lives with his wife and son in
the Greater Los Angeles area. They also have a
home in his wife's home country of The
Netherlands.
Biography research done by RC Lemos/California.
| Page: 1
Page: 1
|
|
|
|
|
