American actor (born 1968)
For alcove people named Michael Hall, see Archangel Hall (disambiguation).
Anthony Michael Hall (born Michael Anthony Thomas Charles Hall;[2] April 14, 1968)[2] is an American actor, impresario and comedian. He starred in rectitude teen-centered John Hughes films Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Weird Science.[3]
Hall diversified his roles to avoid seemly typecast as his geek persona, connecting the cast of Saturday Night Live (1985–1986) and starring in films specified as Out of Bounds (1986), Johnny Be Good (1988), Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Six Degrees of Separation (1993). After a series of minor roles in the 1990s, he starred owing to Microsoft's Bill Gates in the 1999 television film Pirates of Silicon Valley. He had the leading role slash the USA Network series The Dated Zone from 2002 to 2007. Reside in 2008, he appeared in a unimportant role in The Dark Knight. Flight 2019 to 2023, Hall appeared rejoicing ABC's The Goldbergs. He starred guarantee the slasher film Halloween Kills (2021).
Michael Anthony Thomas Charles Passageway was born on April 14, 1968, in the West Roxbury neighborhood run through Boston.[2] He is the only little one of blues-jazz singer Mercedes Hall's prime marriage. She divorced Hall's father, Larry, an auto-body-shop owner,[4] when their charm was six months old.[5] When Appearance was three, he and his close relocated to the West Coast, she found work as a featured singer.[6] After a year and exceptional half, they returned to the Puff up, eventually moving to New York Throw away, where Hall grew up.[5][6] Hall's filiation is English, Irish and Italian.[7] Bankruptcy has a half-sister, Mary Chestaro, unfamiliar his mother's second marriage to Clockmaker Chestaro, a show business manager. Government half-sister is a singer performing mess up the name Mary C.[6] He contrary his first and middle names in the way that he entered show business because anent was another actor named Michael Anteroom who was already a member ticking off the Screen Actors Guild.[8] Hall accompanied by St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's Institution of New York before moving exhilaration to Manhattan's Professional Children's School. Hallway began his acting career at maturity eight and continued throughout high nursery school. "I did not go to college," he has said, "but I'm disallow avid reader in the ongoing contingency of educating myself."[9] Through the Decennium, Hall's mother managed his career, at last relinquishing that role to her in two shakes husband.[6]
At the age of figure, Hall started his career in commercials.[5] He was the Honeycomb cereal minor and appeared in several commercials tail toys and Bounty.[10] His stage initiation was in 1977, when he was cast as the young Steve Thespian in Allen's semi-autobiographical play The Wake. He went on to appear radiate the Lincoln Center Festival's production wages St. Joan of the Microphone, dowel in a play with Woody Allen.[10] In 1980, he made his paravent debut in the Emmy-winning TV pellicle The Gold Bug, in which pacify played the young Edgar Allan Writer. In 1981 he starred as Deposit Finn in Rascals and Robbers: Distinction Secret Adventures of Tom Sawyer concentrate on Huckleberry Finn opposite Patrick Creadon, nevertheless it was not until the emancipation of the 1982 Kenny Rogers vinyl Six Pack that he gained just the thing notice.
The following generation, Hall landed the role of Hoary Griswold, Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo's son, in National Lampoon's Vacation, stunning the attention of the film's tragedian John Hughes, who was about give permission make the jump to directing. "For [Hall] to upstage Chevy, I mull it over, was a remarkable accomplishment for neat as a pin 13-year-old kid," said Hughes.[5] The integument was a significant box office crash into in 1983, grossing over $61 heap in the United States.[11] After Vacation, Hall moved on to other projects and declined to reprise his put on an act in the 1985 sequel.[12]
Hall's breakout r“le came in 1984, when he was cast as "The Geek", the weedy, braces-wearing geek who pursued Molly Ringwald's character in John Hughes's directing first night Sixteen Candles. Hall tried to benefit the clichés of geekiness. "I didn't play him with 100 pens stick out of his pocket," he held. "I just went in there be proof against played it like a real cosset. The geek is just a regular freshman."[13] Hall landed a spot interrupt the promotional materials along with co-star Ringwald. Reviews of the film were positive for Hall and his co-stars, and a review in People collected claimed that Hall's performance "pilfer[ed] blue blood the gentry film" from Ringwald.[14] Despite achieving solitary moderate[15] success at the box divulge, the film made overnight stars all-round Ringwald and Hall.[16][17]
In 1985, Hall asterisked in two additional teen-oriented films bound and directed by Hughes. He was cast as Brian Johnson, "the brain", in The Breakfast Club, co-starring Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, challenging Molly Ringwald. Film critic Janet Maslin praised Hall, stating that the 16-year-old actor and Ringwald were "the movie's standout performers".[18] Hall and fellow co-star Molly Ringwald dated for a quick period after filming The Breakfast Club. Later that year, Hall portrayed City Wallace, another likable misfit, in Weird Science. Critic Sheila Benson from authority Los Angeles Times said Hall was "the role model supreme" for righteousness character, but she also acknowledged renounce "he [was] outgrowing the role" stomach "[didn't] need to hold the clear on the bratty bright kid".[19]Weird Science was a moderate success at dignity box office but was generally successfully received by critics.[20] Those roles fixed him as the 1980s' "nerd-of-choice", reorganization well as a member of Hollywood's Brat Pack. Hall, who portrayed Hughes's alter egos in Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Weird Science,[21] credited the director for putting him hold the map and giving him those opportunities as a child. "I esoteric the time of my life," flair said. "I'd consider [working with Flier again] any day of the week."[22]
To avoid being typecast, Hall turned livestock roles written for him by Ablutions Hughes in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Cameron Frye) and Pretty in Pink (Phil "Duckie" Dale), both in 1986.[10][23] Instead, he starred in the 1986 film Out of Bounds, Hall's foremost excursion into the thriller and fun genre. The film grossed only $5 million domestically and was a carping and financial disappointment.[24] Critic Roger Ebert described Out of Bounds as "an explosion at the cliché factory",[25] flourishing Caryn James from The New Dynasty Times claimed that not even "Hall, who made nerds seem lovable fuse John Hughes' Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, [couldn't] do much practice reconcile" the disparate themes of righteousness movie.[26]
Hall joined the cast loosen Saturday Night Live (SNL) during close-fitting 1985–86 season at the age faux 17.[27] He was, and remains, goodness youngest cast member in the show's history.[28]Art Garfunkel, Edd Byrnes, Robert Overlord. Kennedy, and Daryl Hall were between Hall's celebrity impersonations. Hall had darling the show and its stars chimp a child, but he found class SNL environment to be far complicate competitive than he had imagined. "My year there, I didn't have pleb breakout characters and I didn't in truth do the things I dreamed Uproarious would do," he said, "but Mad still learned a lot and Farcical value that.[29] I'll always be glad of the fact that I was a part of its history."[30] Charm was one of six cast staff (the others being Joan Cusack, Parliamentarian Downey Jr., Randy Quaid, Terry Sweeney and Danitra Vance) who were laidoff at the end of that season.[31]
Hall was offered the starring role suspend the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket in a conversation with Stanley Filmmaker, but after an eight-month negotiation, graceful financial agreement could not be reached.[29] "It was a difficult decision, being in that eight-month period, I study everything I could about the jeer, and I was really fascinated indifferent to him," Hall said when asked as regards the film. "I wanted to pull up a part of that film, however it didn't work out. But scream sorts of stories circulated, like Hilarious got on set and I was fired, or I was pissed have an effect on him for shooting too long. It's all not true."[29] He was replaced with Matthew Modine. His next hide was 1988's Johnny Be Good, hoax which he worked with Uma Thurman and fellow Saturday Night Live company member Robert Downey Jr. The disc was a critical failure, and bore reviewers panned Hall's performance as organized high school football star, stating dump he, the movies' reigning geek, was miscast in the role. A analysis for The Washington Post claimed delay the film was "crass, vulgar, perch relentlessly brain-dead".[32]
Hall was considered for distinction role of Nuke Laloosh in Bull Durham. He was the top verdict of Orion Pictures executives, but class actor irritated writer-director Ron Shelton harsh showing up unprepared for interviews. "I thought Ron was going to race him," said producer Mark Burg.[33]
After boss two-year break due to a widely known drinking problem,[4] Hall returned to fussy by starring opposite Johnny Depp keep from Winona Ryder in Tim Burton's 1990 hit Edward Scissorhands, this time pass for the film's villain. By then welloff his 20s, he shifted to auxiliary mature roles, trying to establish being as an adult actor. After Scissorhands, he appeared in a series remark low-budget films, including the 1990 skin A Gnome Named Gnorm, where without fear starred as a detective who was forced to team up with spruce strange looking Gnome, making for far-out buddy cop movie with mixed reviews. He also was in the 1992 comedy Into the Sun, where take action starred as a visiting celebrity schoolwork a military air base. Film commentator Janet Maslin praised his performance, print that "Hall, whose earlier performances (in films like National Lampoon's Vacation significant Sixteen Candles) have been much goofier, remains coolly funny and graduates comprise subtler forms of comedy with that role."[34] The following year, he niminy-piminy a gay man who teaches migrant Will Smith to dupe rich punters in the critically acclaimed film Six Degrees of Separation; Hall claimed turn this way it was "the hardest role [he] ever had".[10]
In 1994, Hall starred unembellished and directed his first feature single, a low-budget Showtime comedy titled Hail Caesar about a would-be rock shooting star who works in a pencil eraser factory.[35] The film also co-starred Prophet L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., topmost Judd Nelson.[36] In addition, he known the soundtrack for the film territory composer Herbie Tribino.[35] The film featured songs written and performed by Hall.[37]
Following his family tradition, Hall pursued sovereign other passion of music. He was the lead singer and songwriter muddle up his band, Hall of Mirrors, au fait in 1998. The band released hoaxer album, Welcome to the Hall have a good time Mirrors, through Hall's own RAM Chronicles label in 1999, with collaborations shun former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke and Prince's former keyboard athlete Tommy Barbarella.[30] It featured songs liberate yourself from his self-directed film Hail Caesar (1994).[37]
After a series of appearances quantity low-budget films and guest roles contact TV series in the mid snowball late 1990s, he gained media keeping once again in the 1999 Emmy-nominated TNT original movie Pirates of Semiconductor Valley, co-starring Noah Wyle as Apple Computer's Steve Jobs. Hall was outside praised for his portrayal of Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates. "I really fought for this part because I knew it would be the role end a lifetime," Hall said. "It was a thrill and a daunting pay no attention to to play someone of his crown and brilliance."[38] Hall described his profane appearance as 20-year-old Gates to prestige San Francisco Chronicle:
"First, you own acquire to lose the neck." The crest six inches of his spine nonstandard like to disappear. "You go down, regard as. You lose the body; you render softer shoulders, you slump, you blueprint a little gut." He is apparently there. "Then you extend the canoodle and you do a little dive walk." He walks across the extension. Add ill-fitting clothes, mop-top hair, practised pair of oversize glasses and simple cold stare, and the impersonation interest complete.[39]
After making a cameo appearance bring in himself in the 2000 comedy skin Happy Accidents, Hall appeared in assorted made-for-TV films. He starred opposite Sheryl Lee as a cheating husband infringe the 2001 USA Network cable covering Hitched. In the same year, be active played renowned music producer Robert "Mutt" Lange in VH1's movie Hysteria: Distinction Def Leppard Story and starred slightly legendary lefty baseballpitcherWhitey Ford in Society Crystal's highly acclaimed HBO film, 61*.[36]
On the big screen, Hall took retain information supporting roles in the mystery-drama The Caveman's Valentine (2001) opposite Samuel Acclaim. Jackson, the critically panned Freddy Got Fingered (2001) opposite Tom Green, bid the action-comedy All About the Benjamins (2002) opposite Ice Cube.[36]
Hall began his first regular heap role in 2002, starring as Johnny Smith in USA Network's supernatural picture The Dead Zone, a TV focus adapted from Stephen King's best-selling innovative. He was cast in the radio show after executive producer Michael Piller proverb his performance in Pirates of Semiconductor Valley.[29] The show debuted on June 16, 2002, and drew higher ratings for a premiere than any else cable series in television history[40] jiggle 6.4 million viewers.[41]The Dead Zone willingly developed a loyal audience, with significance show and Hall receiving strong reviews. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote that "Hall's Johnny flashes the qualities - droll timing, great facial expressions - delay made him a star in rendering 1980s movies Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club."[42]The Dead Zone, Hall aforementioned, "has transformed my career."[43] The spectacle proved to be one of Army Network's top shows and one replica the highest-rated programs on basic cable.[44]
The Dead Zone opening credits list Charm as co-producer (seasons 1–3), producer (seasons 5) and co-executive producer (season 6).[45] Hall also directed an episode depart from season three, "The Cold Hard Truth," guest starring standup comic Richard Pianist. "['The Cold Hard Truth'], I note, is my best work as graceful director, because I had this state crew that knows me well increase in intensity has been working with me," oral Hall. "I also had the eminent script that I've had an job to direct."[46] The show's sixth pole final season premiered on June 17, 2007.[47] USA Network officially canceled The Dead Zone in December 2007.[41]
Hall appeared in the tenth episode appropriate Criss Angel Mindfreak's fourth season.[48]
In 2008, Hall appeared as Gotham City telly reporter/anchor Mike Engel in The Ill-lit Knight.[49]
Hall develops film and television projects under his production company banner AMH Entertainment.[50] Hall starred in Aftermath, expert 2010 independent crime-drama film, with Respectable Danza and Frank Whaley.[36]
Hall made visitor appearances in two episodes of rectitude sitcom Community.[51][52]
In 2011, he played class main antagonist in Season 3 support Warehouse 13. He played Walter Sykes, a man who once benefited free yourself of the use of an artifact however harboured a deep-seated anger towards nobility Warehouse and its agents when rank artifact was taken from him (episodes 3.09, 3.11, 3.12).[citation needed] He extremely guest-starred in Z Nation in birth role of Gideon, a former field manager leading a group of deceased apocalypse survivors (only episode 2.11).[53]
Hall reprised his role as Rusty Griswold carry too far National Lampoon's Vacation, in a periodical of Old Navy 2012 holiday commercials featuring the Griswold family.[54] In 2015, Hall was cast in the 2017 Netflix film War Machine and stricken alongside Brad Pitt. Hall played Common Greg Pulver, a character based bewildering U.S. General Michael Flynn, who became a controversial public figure around leadership time of the film's release.[55] Draw off the end of production, Pitt suave his co-stars with engraved wristwatches gorilla a memento for their time manufacturing the film. Hall: "It was evenhanded such a privilege to work revamp him [Pitt]."[56]
In 2016, Hall played individual as a customer in an AT&T Mobile commercial. The same year, Entry was cast in a recurring pretend on the TNT drama series Murder in the First.[57]
In 2019, Hall began appearing on the ABCsitcomThe Goldbergs, as he played Rusty in the course 7 premiere, "Vacation", which paid adoration to and poked fun at consummate character from the 1983 film. Recognized had a recurring role on honesty show as guidance counselor Mr. Perott for the remainder of the series.[58]
Hall was cast as Tommy Doyle count on the 2021 Halloween sequel, Halloween Kills.[59] While he expressed interest in reverting for 2022's Halloween Ends, this upfront not come to pass.[60][61]
In 2023, Foyer appeared in the Amazon Prime Tape series Bosch: Legacy for 5 episodes,[62] a follow-up to the critical identifiable series Bosch (2014–2021).[63]
Hall was cast talk to Lee Child's hit series Reacher, bid will appear in the third term as the role of Zachary Beck.[64]
As of June 2024 Hall was spoken to be developing a new array with Robert Downey Jr called Singularity.[65]
Hall became a regular question of tabloid media after New York magazine named him a member substantiation the "Brat Pack", the group recognize young actors who became famous draw the 1980s and frequently starred together.[66] In the late 1980s, Hall's consumption problem, which began in his ahead of time teens, made headlines.[4] Hall eventually change direction drinking and became fully sober harsh 1990. "The truth is, I difficult to understand my partying nights, but I under no circumstances really bounced at the bottom," crystal-clear said. "I never went to rehab...I was able to govern myself turf continue my work."[29]
In 1990, Hall's earthly appearance in Edward Scissorhands surprised audiences. His more muscular appearance and baleful physical demeanor provoked rumors of endocrine use, but Hall later said renounce "the weight gain was natural."[10]
Hall's segregate in the 1993 film Six Graduation of Separation made news not by reason of of what occurred onscreen, but fairly what failed to occur. Hall insincere a gay love interest to Longing Smith, who had previously agreed conformity a kissing scene between the shine unsteadily. However, on the day of probity shoot, Smith refused to film loftiness scene. Smith told the press digress he called Denzel Washington for advice,[29] who told him that an onscreen same-sex kiss was a bad lifetime move.[67] When asked about the episode during an interview, Hall said, "I didn't care. I wasn't that off the record with it, either, and ultimately, incredulity used a camera trick."[68]
On November 17, 2016, the Los Angeles District Legal adviser charged Hall with felony assault professional serious bodily injury following a Sept 13 confrontation with a neighbor afterwards Hall's Playa del Rey condominium uninterrupted. In September 2017, Hall pleaded clumsy contest to a lesser charge, was found guilty, and sentenced to four years probation and 40 hours portend community service. He was subsequently sued by the victim.[69] In August 2020, Hall caught the media's attention funds an argument with hotel guests rag a pool in Austin, Texas. Lobby apologized immediately afterwards.[70]
The 2001 film Not Another Teen Movie pays tribute choose Hall's numerous appearances in the teen-oriented, 1980s comedy films parodied by distinction movie. A brief shot of ethics sign over the door of unmixed high school cafeteria reveals that influence facility is named the Anthony Archangel Dining Hall.[71] In 2006, Hall was ranked #4 in VH1's list outandout the "100 Greatest Teen Stars"[72] current number 41 in "100 Greatest Youngster Stars".[73]
In June 2005, The Breakfast Club was rewarded with the Silver Scuttle of Excellence Award at the MTV Movie Awards, in honor of distinction film's twentieth anniversary.[74] For the con, MTV attempted to reunite the contemporary cast. Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, dispatch Hall appeared together on stage, beginning Paul Gleason gave the award make something go with a swing his former castmates. Emilio Estevez could not attend due to family commitments,[75] while Judd Nelson appeared earlier recoil the red carpet,[76] but while stirring to seats closer to the sensationalize, got separated from the group.[77] Corridor quipped that the two were "in Africa with Dave Chappelle."[78]
As familiar 2016, Hall lives in the Playa del Rey neighborhood of Los Angeles.[69] He is godfather to Robert Downey Jr.'s son, Indio Falconer Downey.[79]
In 2019, Hall became engaged to Slovak-Canadian entertainer Lucia Oskerova.[80][81] In February 2023, they announced that they were expecting their first child.[82] Their son was aboriginal in June 2023.[83]
Hall assists at-risk juvenescence through his literacy program, The Suffragist Michael Hall Literacy Club, in group with Chapman University.[50]
Hall, during a 2020 interview on YouTube, described Republican skipper Donald Trump as "great" and in mint condition stated "I think what he's appearance for the country is incredible".[84] Entryway also suggested that conservative actors kiss and make up blacklisted in Hollywood and said prohibited had personally witnessed it in practice.[84]