Michael Joseph Thomas Ward, a multifaceted comedic and dramatic actor, embarked on his acting career after establishing a strong foundation in radio as a deejay, reporter, newsman, news writer, and sports director.
Born Michael Joseph Ward III on March 10, 1959, in Elmhurst, Illinois, he was the son of Michael J. Ward, Jr., a journalist and public relations executive, and Harriet M. Ward, a nurse. Michael received his early education in the Riverside and Roselle areas of Illinois, where he excelled in cross country, basketball, and track during his high school years at Lake Park High School in Roselle.
Enrolled at the University of Notre Dame as a pre-med student, Michael graduated in 1981 and later attended Memphis State University for an intended master's degree in Microbiology. However, a chance meeting with Memphis WRVR radio deejay Rick Robinson led to a life-altering career change.
Michael made a vocal demo tape with Robinson's assistance and successfully transitioned into the world of radio. He abruptly left his graduate program after eight months and returned to Chicago, landing a weekend radio deejay gig at WKDC in Elmhurst with a Broadway show tune format.
Michael also worked as a reporter for a PM Magazine-type show that aired on Elmhurst Community Cable TV and, later, as an intern for Chicago news commentator Charles Cleveland at WBBM-TV. He was employed as a part-time news writer for WUBE-WMLX in Cincinnati in 1984 and eventually moved to on-air work.
Michael's hiring as a news reporter and fill-in anchor at Cincinnati's WLW station was his last full-time radio job. In 1988, he turned his focus to acting after being cast in the title role of "The Nerd" at a local Cincinnati theater.
Michael's stage work included the drama "Blue Jacket," an outdoor production of "Johnny Appleseed," the classic Dickens play "A Christmas Carol" for The Human Race Theatre Co. in Dayton, Ohio, and a Notre Dame Summer Shakespeare production of "Much Ado About Nothing" (as Verges).
He also pursued improv and sketch comedy, and had his first co-star role in an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries." Michael earned his SAG card in 1997 with a couple of commercials for Giant Eagle Supermarkets.
In the millennium, Michael broke into films with a bit role in the independent feature April's Fool (2001). Other movie parts followed, including Blue Car (2002),Turning the Corner (2004),Graduation (2007),LAID: Life as It's Dealt (2012),A Kind of Murder (2016),B-Roll (2019),and Echo Boomers (2020).
Michael's notable film highlights include supporting roles in Todd Haynes' Carol (2015) and Dark Waters (2019). He has also appeared in numerous short films, including Persephone (2008),The Beekeeper (2009),White Solace (2011),Bingo Night (2014),There Is No Door (2017),and Deliver Me (2020).
Michael's TV credits include his starring role in the sci-fi comedy web series Dark Age (2013) as Arthur, one of a motley group of survivors adjusting to a post-apocalyptic world.
