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WHO IS MICHAEL
WINCOTT?
This is not an official biography, but some of
what I know about my friend, and my opinions of the
actor after
20 years as a "fan."
Born in Toronto
to a Milanese mother, Lucia, and a Lancastrian father, William,
Michael is the youngest
of three brothers. Personally, I think he must have been a precocious kid, so my
hats off to his parents for their strength. No doubt
their mixed cultural backgrounds influenced and inspired Michael's
creative pursuits and well-rounded personality. Music
was Michael’s first artistic endeavor. Drums, guitar and harmonica
are his favorites.
Michael attended Victoria College at the University of Toronto
before heading to New York City and the Juilliard School of Drama.
By the time of his 1986 graduation, he had already worked on
many projects in theatre, TV and film. In 1988, he was cast in his first
“mainstream” film, Oliver Stone’s Talk Radio. Since Michael
had previously played the character of Kent on stage, the film role
was an extension of his fine performance.
He
shines brightly in his varied film roles. Michael enjoys creating art through careful
screenplay selections and intense portrayals. You can read the
long list of work on the films page. It’s an impressive
list, but many of his peers and fans think it could be longer.
Reviewers refer to Michael and his work as; “delectable,
distinctive yet well-blended, perfect for portraying menace and
villainy with an underlying soul, a too rarely seen artist, subtle
and effective, chameleon-like in his variety of characters, and a
true professional and delight to work with.” (quotes from
reviews and interviews in Variety, Rolling Stone, Entertainment,
People, and internet sources)
I have it on good authority that he is also
very polite and approachable to his fans, when you actually see
him. He keeps his personal life to himself. (The way it should be
with everyone in Hollywood.) He
lives in West Hollywood, California. Though seen at clubs, concerts, galleries and charity functions,
Michael doesn’t whore himself for the paparazzi, so is often not
included in the day’s wrap-up on entertainment shows
and websites. This may make it difficult for new fans to find him,
which is part of why I'm here. His strong opinions about the over-promoted, over-paid,
and low quality, of the film industry are fairly well-known
and shared by many like-minded people including myself. I think he's
like a knight on an eternal quest for just the right path to
enlightenment, but sometimes that path is littered with cowpats from
the devil’s own satanic herd and you have to get your shoes dirty.
Michael’s learned this, and yet, still seeks to share his art with all of
us. That is why I care about him enough to provide this
website.
Michael Wincott’s
mastery of the craft shines brightly in even the simplest roles.
Just one scene with Michael in it can make a film stand out in your
mind forever. He’s not purposely a scene stealer; he’s just in a
finer class and on a higher level than many of his peers. It’s all
about the mindset of the character. For Michael it seems to me like
he creates his art from a well-written story as his canvas, and the
many facets of a character as his palette knife. I don’t say brush
because I get a definite Van Gogh impressionistic style from him;
lots of texture, passionate strokes, but also some blurry edges to
keep you intrigued and wanting more.
LAURA DEAN,
2011
This is a fansite
operated by a private party and not affiliated with the actor, Michael
Wincott.
Inquiries may email me at:
laura@michaelwincott.org
but note that I can't forward anything to Michael.
Designed
by Runjik (Laura) of Glyph Graphics,
Sarasota FL.
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