Biography for
Michael Wincott More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

21 January 1958, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Birth Name

Michael Anthony Claudio Wincott

Height

5' 10½" (1.79 m)

Mini Biography

In an acting career that has spanned almost 30 years, Michael Wincott has appeared in feature films, theatre, and television.

He grew up in Scarborough, (Toronto) Canada. In 1986, he graduated from the prestigious Juilliard School of Drama.

He appeared on the New York Stage as Kent, in Eric Bogosian's Talk Radio (1987), a role which he later reprised in the Oliver Stone film version (Talk Radio (1988)). He also appeared in leading roles in the controversial US premiere of David Hare's The Secret Rapture (1989) and the world premiere of Sam Shepard's States of Shock (1991).

He has worked with movie directors such as Stone, Jim Jarmusch, Julian Schnabel, Ridley Scott, Kevin Reynolds, Michael Cimino and others.

Recently, he has provided voice roles for popular video game titles such as N.A.R.C. and Halo 2.

IMDb Mini Biography By: laurel962@worldnetoh.com

Trade Mark

Deeply rasping voice.

Trivia

Juilliard School of Drama, 1982-1986 (graduated).

Younger brother of Jeff Wincott.

He plays drums.

He plays the guitar and the harmonica.

Of English and Italian descent.

His favorite bands are Rolling Stones, The Corrs and The Black Crowes. He stated that his favorite musician is Keith Richards.

Parents are William and Lucia Wincott.

He played drums in jazz band as a kid.

Good friend of actors Tony Todd and Tom Sizemore.

He chain smokes - "American Spirit" Brand cigarettes.

Is a skilled fencer and is known for starring in many sword fighting roles.

He is known for his apathetic stance on celebrity and the ideals of Hollywood, often stating that he holds art in higher regard than money.

Personal Quotes

[on his role in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) as Guy of Gisborne] It's always so much more interesting to play the villains, and this guy is a real son of a bitch.

I never get the girl - I always die. That is the catch with playing bad. I'm actually a very romantic person, and I would like to play in a love story. As long as it doesn't get too sweet. That's not me.

You have to be careful so you don't make your character dull and predictable. Sometimes you have to bend the script a little... The bad guys are mostly the same on the paper... A bad guy wouldn't think of himself as bad. The guy I'm playing in Metro (1997) thinks of himself as a responsible and nice guy, since he is taking care of his retarded cousin. That is what I try to keep in mind, when I'm shooting and stabbing people.

You get to hear it so often - this is your time, this is your movie - finally you just don't listen anymore. Especially character actors, they are as leaves in the wind. There is a saying about the one who wants to amuse the gods never plans his life. He must have been an actor... You never get the role you have worked so hard for, but the dream role, the one who gives you joy, money and maybe even honor, that one just falls into your lap.

My worst work happens when I get obedient.

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