Who is Michael Wincott?

Well this is some of what I know about him and my opinions after nearly 20 years as a "fan" of an actor who is also an artist.

Born in Toronto, Canada to parents William and Lucia, 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.  He’s played with well-known bands and musicians.

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 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.  Long since leaving stage and television behind him, Michael enjoys creating art through careful screenplay selections and intense portrayals. You can read the long list of work in the "filmography" 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)

Said to be very professional on a film set, Michael often has the reputation of "class clown" when the cameras aren't rolling.  One can imagine what that's like if you listen to the mostly ad-lib ramblings of Conway Twill, a character Michael played in the Jim Jarmusch film, Dead Man.

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 the 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 admire and care about him enough to provide this website.

Laura Dean, 2009