Michael Ironside has left an indelible mark on the film and television industry with his intense and explosive portrayals of formidable villains throughout his illustrious career.
Born Frederick Reginald Ironside on February 12, 1950, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, he initially pursued his passion for writing, even winning first prize in a Canada-wide university contest for his play "The Shelter" at the tender age of fifteen. He used the prize money to mount a production of this play, further solidifying his creative ambitions.
Before embarking on an acting career, Ironside worked as a roofer in construction and attended the Ontario College of Art, took acting lessons from Janine Manatis, and studied for three years at the Canadian National Film Board.
Ironside's acting career began in the late 1970s, with notable roles in films such as Scanners (1981),Visiting Hours (1982),Cross Country (1983),Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983),Top Gun (1986),Extreme Prejudice (1987),Nowhere to Hide (1987),Watchers (1988),and Highlander II: The Quickening (1991).
He has also appeared in two science fiction features for Paul Verhoeven: Total Recall (1990) and Starship Troopers (1997). Additionally, Ironside showcased his versatility with a poignant performance in the indie drama Chaindance (1991),which he co-wrote the script and served as an executive producer for.
On television, Ironside had recurring roles on V (1984) and its follow-up series, V: The Final Battle (1984),as well as the short-lived spin-off series. He also appeared in guest spots on various television series, including The A-Team (1983),Hill Street Blues (1981),The New Mike Hammer (1984),The Hitchhiker (1983),Tales from the Crypt (1989),Superman: The Animated Series (1996),Walker, Texas Ranger (1993),The Outer Limits (1995),ER (1994),Smallville (2001),ER (1994),Desperate Housewives (2004),Justice League (2001),and Masters of Horror (2005).
In recent years, Ironside received a Gemini Award nomination for his outstanding portrayal of shrewd biker gang leader Bob Durelle in the acclaimed Canadian miniseries The Last Chapter (2002).
Beyond his extensive film and television work, Ironside has also lent his distinctive deep voice to TV commercials and video games.
