J Michael Briggs, a renowned actor, was born in Houston, Texas, and embarked on a journey in the entertainment industry that began with music. In 1989, while attempting to further his music career in Hollywood, he started working as a background artist to supplement his income. This decision was prompted by the advice of his actor friend, Peer Ebbighousen.
During his time on the TV comedy "Hull High" for Disney/NBC, J Michael caught the attention of director Kenny Ortega, who is known for his work on "High School Musical" and "Newsies". Ortega took a liking to J Michael and offered him his first on-camera role, which marked a significant turning point in his career.
Following this experience, J Michael relocated to Orlando, Florida, to hone his acting skills in the theater. He studied at Zoe and Company, where he was fortunate enough to work alongside renowned actor Tory Kittles, who has appeared in shows such as "Miracle at St. Anne" and "Sons of Anarchy".
In 1998, J Michael received a Pierrot Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the theater production of "The Amorous Ambassador". He then returned to Los Angeles in December 1999 and has since continued to build his body of work.
During the early years of his career in Los Angeles, J Michael secured notable featured roles in "The Norm Show", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", and the blockbuster film "Pearl Harbor". He also won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Mufasa in the LBCC production of "The Circle of Life", which was based on the Broadway hit "The Lion King".
In 2008, J Michael collaborated with his long-time friend and fellow actor, Canyon Prince, to produce a web-series called "The Romantic Foibles of Esteban", which explored the world of internet dating. The show was a huge success and received critical acclaim, with J Michael's performance being compared to that of the legendary Charlie Chaplin.
The show was later recognized as a trend-setter in the web series market, and J Michael continues to book higher-profile roles to this day. Some of his recent credits include a series regular role as Officer Briggs on "Homicide Hunter, Joe Kenda" for Discovery ID, a co-star role on "Vindicated" for the BET Network, and lead roles in "La Sierva" and "Kill Cam".
