Actor / Director Profile

Excellent, prolific and versatile character actor Michael Cavanaugh was born on November 21st, 1942 in New York. The eldest of nine children, Cavanaugh joined the Navy following his high school graduation and was stationed in Hawaii for three years. After his tour of duty was over, Cavanaugh developed an interest in acting. He began his acting career in children's theater; he made his stage debut in the titular role in a production of "Winnie the Pooh". Michael's other stage credits include "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Merchant of Venice" and "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?". An accomplished vocalist, Cavanaugh has sung tenor in such musicals as "Oh Calcutta!", "Carousel" and "110 in the Shade". Michael has racked up an extensive list of film and TV show credits alike since the mid-70s; he often portrays police officers, government agents, stern military types, lawyers, judges and slick businessmen. Cavanaugh has appeared in three Clint Eastwood pictures: The Enforcer (1976/I), The Gauntlet (1977) and Any Which Way You Can (1980). He was especially memorable as the head nasty bad guy in the exciting Chuck Norris action vehicle Forced Vengeance (1982). Cavanaugh was terrific as obsessive and xenophobic chief federal security agent "George Fox" on the fine and thoughtful science fiction TV series "Starman" (1986). He also had a recurring part on the short-lived early 90s revival of the popular horror soap opera "Dark Shadows" (1991). Among the many TV shows Cavanaugh has done guest spots on are "Monk" (2002), "Shark" (2006), "Bones" (2005), "The Young and the Restless" (1973), "The West Wing" (1999), "The Practice" (1997), "NYPD Blue" (1993), "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" (1993), "Matlock" (1986), "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987), "ER" (1994), "The X-Files" (1993), "L.A. Law" (1986), "Our House" (1986), "Amazing Stories" (1985), "MacGyver" (1985), "Airwolf" (1984), "Dallas" (1978), "The A-Team" (1983), "Cagney & Lacey" (1981), "Hunter" (1984), "T.J. Hooker" (1982), "Vega$" (1978), "CHiPs" (1977) and "Kojak" (1973).