Who is Michael York? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In March

Also Known As: Michael Hugh Johnson

Age: 82 Years, 82 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Pat York (m. 1968)

father: Joseph Gwynne Johnson

mother: Florence Edith May Johnson

siblings: Bridget Johnson, Caroline Johnson, Penelope Anne Johnson

Actors British Men

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

More Facts

education: University of Oxford, Ravensbourne School, University College, Oxford

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Childhood & Early Life

Michael Hugh Johnson was born to Florence Edith May and Joseph Gwynne Johnson, in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire. He has two sisters. He lost a younger sister who was a twin, hours after her birth.

He was raised in Burgess Hill, Sussex, where he studied at Bromley Grammar School for Boys, Hurstpierpoint College and University College, Oxford.

In 1956, he made his debut in a production entitled, ‘The Yellow Jacket’. Three years later, he made a brief appearance in the production in West End, ‘Hamlet’. He also toured with the National Youth Theatre and was a part of the Oxford University Dramatic Society and the Dundee Repertory Theatre.

He graduated from the University College in 1964 and the following year, he worked with Franco Zeffirelli in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.

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Career

In 1967, he was cast as ‘Jolyon’ in ‘The Forsyte Saga’ and made his film debut the same year in ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. The following year, he was cast as Juliet’s evil cousin, ‘Tybalt’, in Zeffirelli’s adaptation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

In 1969, he appeared in ‘The Guru’, which was a Merchant Ivory Productions film. He then appeared in ‘Something for Everyone’ as a footman, alongside Angela Lansbury the next year.

He broke all conventions when he played a bisexual in Bob Fosse’s adaptation of ‘Cabaret’, in 1972. He played the character of ‘D’Artagnan’ in the adaptation of ‘The Three Musketeers’ and also made his Broadway debut with ‘Out Cry’, the next year.

In 1976, he played the lead role in the film adaptation of ‘Logan’s Run’, which gave him one of his biggest hits. The subsequent year, he united with Franco Zeffirelli and played the role of ‘John the Baptist’ in ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ and also starred in ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’, where he was cast opposite Burt Lancaster.

Through the 1980s, he appeared in a number of Broadway productions, such as, ‘Bent’, ‘The Little Prince and the Aviator’ and an adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’.

In 1992, he appeared in another Broadway production entitled, ‘The Crucible’ and the subsequent year; he appeared in ‘Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me’. Four years later, he appeared on an episode of ‘Babylon 5’, titled ‘A Late Delivery from Avalon’.

Apart from acting in films, he has also lent his voice for a ‘Justice League’ episode and a few episodes from the animated series’ of ‘Superman’ and ‘Batman’.

In 1997, he played the role of ‘Basil Exposition’ in ‘Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery’. He also appeared in the ensuing movies, ‘Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me’ and ‘Austin Powers in Goldmember’.

In 1999, he was cast in ‘The Omega Code’, which became an instant hit. He also appeared in the sequel, ‘Megiddo: The Omega Code 2’, two years later.

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In 2006, he played the role of Bernard Fremont in an episode of ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent’. He also appeared on a number of episodes of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’.

In 2008, he was a part of ‘Coming Home’ a BBC Wales show. Two years later, he was seen in episodes of a number of sitcoms including, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes’; the latter for which he lent his voice.

In 2011, he appeared in the film, ‘The Mill and the Cross’, opposite Charlotte Rampling and Rutger Hauer. The film was directed by Lech Majewski.

Major Works

One of his greatest works was his role as ‘D’Artagnan’ in the 1973 film, ‘The Three Musketeers’. The film collected around $10.1 million in Canada and the United States. A sequel of the movie was released the next year titled, ‘The Four Musketeers’. York was glorified for his acting skills, spontaneity and his impeccable screen presence.

Awards & Achievements

In 1977, he was inducted into the ‘International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame’.

He was honored with the prestigious O.B.E (Officer of the Order of the British Empire’ in the Queen’s New Years Honors List for his services to drama, in 1997.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Patricia McCallum, a photographer on March 27, 1968.

In 2013, he was diagnosed with a disease called amyloidosis, which has affected his face and his voice. Initially, the doctors believed he was suffering from bone cancer.

Trivia

This famed British actor of ‘The Three Musketeers’ fame, lent his voice for one of the apes in the film, ‘Spaceballs’, in 1987.

Michael York Biography