Michael Currie, a talented character actor, was born Herman Christian Schwenk Jr. on July 24, 1928, in Kingston, New York, to Herman C. Schwenk and Mabel Lockwood. He was the youngest of three children and attended Kingston High School, where he developed his passion for singing, joining the a cappella choir, and playing football.
During his high school years, Currie worked at his family's bakery, Schwenk's Bakery, on weekends and during the summer. He graduated from St. Lawrence University with a degree in psychology and later pursued his passion for the arts by becoming an apprentice at the Woodstock Playhouse.
After completing his graduate work at Cornell University and the University of Ohio, Currie served two years in Okinawa during the Korean War. Following his military service, he taught theater at SUNY New Paltz and met his future wife, Ann Dods, on a blind date in 1960. The couple married later that same year.
Currie's acting career spanned many decades, during which he appeared in four movies with Clint Eastwood, including "Sudden Impact" and "The Dead Pool," where he played the memorable role of Captain Donnelly. He also impressed audiences as jolly hotel owner Rafferty in "Halloween III: Season of the Witch."
In addition to his film work, Currie had a recurring role as Sheriff Jonas Carter in the popular daytime horror soap opera "Dark Shadows." He made guest appearances on various TV shows, including "M.A.S.H.," "Family," "Soap," "Cheers," "Dallas," and "Newhart."
On stage, Currie's credits included a Broadway production of "Love and Kisses" as well as Off-Broadway productions of plays such as "The Premise" and "What Price Glory." He was a devoted father to his son, John, and daughter, Catherine.
Michael Currie passed away at the age of 81 on December 22, 2009, in Freeport, Maine.
