Born in San Jose CA in 1948, MIchael began his interest in theater at the Palo Alto community Children's Theater. His professional career began with the improvisational company, The Illegitimate Theater in Palo Alto in 1968. His film career began in 1970 in THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT in San Francisco. While waiting for the next gig he became an apprentice at Joseph Swan Vineyards in Sonoma county and worked for Louis M. Martini in Napa Valley.