Michael Rooker was born on April 6, 1955, in Jasper, Alabama, and his life took a significant turn when his parents divorced when he was just thirteen years old. He relocated to Chicago with his mother and later developed an interest in acting while attending college. This newfound passion led him to participate in local stage productions.
Rooker's early career in film began with a bang, as he played the title character in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986). Although the film was released in 1990 due to its controversial nature, his performance garnered widespread recognition and praise.
Since his breakout role, Rooker has predominantly played brutes, villains, and psychopaths, showcasing his exceptional talent for bringing these characters to life. However, his occasional appearances as a "good guy" are always well-received and offer a welcome change for the audience.
In 2017, Rooker had a remarkable year, starring in two films that premiered just two months apart. The Belko Experiment (2016) is a horror thriller that follows a group of employees who become guinea pigs in a company-wide experiment. Rooker played the role of Bud Melks, a maintenance worker who may or may not be able to kill his fellow staff members.
The same year, Rooker reprised his role as Yondu in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017),which follows the same group of galactic underdogs as they save the universe to a stellar soundtrack. Rooker's performance earned him critical acclaim, as audiences were introduced to a more dramatic Yondu. The film went on to earn over $145 million domestically and has surpassed its predecessor by grossing over $850 million worldwide.
Rooker's film debut was in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986),where he played the title role based on the confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. He has also appeared in some of the most iconic films, including Mississippi Burning (1988),Sea of Love (1989),JFK (1991),Tombstone (1993),and Jumper (2008).
In August 2014, Rooker joined the Marvel Universe as Yondu, the blue-skinned renegade space pirate and surrogate father to Peter Quill, in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). The film went on to gross over $700 million at the worldwide box office and spent five weekends atop the box office.
On the television front, Rooker is best known for his series regular role as Merle Dixon on AMC's hit series The Walking Dead (2010). He has also appeared in various prominent series, including Criminal Minds (2005),CSI: Miami (2002),Las Vegas (2003),Law & Order (1990),and Archer (2009),among others.
