Michael Cudlitz

Early life

Cudlitz was born on on Long Island, New York, and raised in Lakewood Township, New Jersey. He is a 1982 graduate of Lakewood High School. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts, from which he graduated in 1990.

Career

While attending California Institute of the Arts, Cudlitz landed the role in Band of Brothers and worked in TV and film production in the art department of various shows. Cudlitz was a construction coordinator on Beverly Hills, 90210.

His first acting role was in the 1989 film Crystal Ball, playing Scottie. Other roles were Tony Miller on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Tad Overton on Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, and in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, the second seasons of 24, Lost, FOX series Standoff, and Prison Break. He was also in the movie A River Runs Through It. He guest starred on Over There. He played Bob Destepello in the 1997 film Grosse Pointe Blank. He also played a 30-second role as a bartender in the movie Forces of Nature in 1999.

His breakout role came in 2001 with his portrayal of Sgt. Denver "Bull" Randleman in the World War II miniseries, Band of Brothers. Cudlitz starred on the critically acclaimed, five-season television drama Southland as patrol officer John Cooper, a 20-year veteran and training officer. It was picked up by TNT, who aired the remaining episodes of its first season, bringing it back for a total of five seasons. The character struggled with chronic back pain, addiction to pain medication, and ethical issues relating to his partners. Prior to the start of shooting for the show, Cudlitz had a large mole removed from his right upper lip, which had previously been a signature feature of his appearance. The show was cancelled in 2013. Cudlitz won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in 2013.

In 2009, Cudlitz appeared in the science fiction film Surrogates as Colonel Brendon. In 2013, Cudlitz played opposite Melanie Griffith in the movie, Dark Tourist.

From February 2014 to October 2016, he appeared in the AMC TV show The Walking Dead as Sergeant Abraham Ford, a character from the comic series of the same name. His first appearance was in the tenth episode of Season 4, an episode entitled "Inmates". Cudlitz's character was killed off in the premiere episode of the show's seventh season entitled "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be". Cudlitz quickly became a fan favorite, with fans noting his quirky and comedic sayings combined with his upfront approach.

Since 2023, Cudlitz has played Lex Luthor in the CW superhero drama television series Superman & Lois.

Voice work

Cudlitz voiced Sgt. Glenn "Hawk" Hawkins in the video game Call of Duty 2: Big Red One. He provided additional voice work for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Awards

• 2013: Critics Choice Awards, Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Southland
• 2013: Entertainment Industries Council PRISM Awards, Southland (episode: "Legacy")

Personal life

He is married to Rachael Cudlitz. They have two children. They met while students at CalArts.

Filmography

Film

Television (miniseries, TV movies, shorts)

Television

Video games

Crew work

Art department

• 1986–1988: Tales from the Darkside – carpenter (12 episodes)
• 1988: The Unnamable – carpenter
• 1989: W.B., Blue and the Bean – set construction
• 1989: C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. – carpenter
• 1990–1993: Beverly Hills, 90210 – construction coordinator (65 episodes)
• 1996: Dunston Checks In – propmaker gang boss
• 1998: American History X – construction coordinator
• 2007: Nobel Son – propmaker

References

References

1. (December 29, 2019). "UPI Almanac for Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019". [[United Press International]].
2. "Michael Cudlitz".
3. (28 February 2010). "Shooting from the lip". [[New York Post]].
4. "Alumni - School of Theater: Programs in Performance".
5. (1 February 2011). "Southland's Michael Cudlitz Gets Tangled Up in Blue". [[TV Guide]].
6. (31 March 2010). "Southland's Michael Cudlitz Keeps it Real". [[TV.com]].
7. (7 September 2001). "TV Weekend; An Intricate Tapestry Of a Heroic Age". [[The New York Times]].
8. (11 August 2010). "Michael Cudlitz AKA Denver 'BULL' Randleman - Recorded August 4th 2010". Black Sky Radio.
9. (26 February 2013). "In Pursuit, on Wheels and on Foot". [[The New York Times]].
10. (17 April 2013). "TV Review: A (Final?) Salute to 'Southland'". [[Variety (magazine).
11. (1 March 2010). "Patrolling for Felons and Kudos on Sun-Blinded Streets". [[The New York Times]].
12. (9 October 2009). "'Southland' star on show's axing: 'I'm pissed off'".
13. (16 March 2012). "'Southland' With Michael Cudlitz and Regina King on TNT / Mortal Cops Cling to Life on the Air". [[The New York Times]].
14. (1 June 2011). "Southland at The Paley Center: Is This the Most Realistic Cop Show Out There?". [[LA Weekly]].
15. (26 June 2013). "Michael Cudlitz on Saying Goodbye to 'Southland' and Playing One of TV's Most Enduringly Complicated Characters". [[Indiewire]].
16. (10 May 2013). "TNT Cancels 'Southland'". [[Variety (magazine).
17. (26 June 2013). "Emmys: 'Southland's' Michael Cudlitz Wants to Bring Back a Character Who Will 'F— You Up'". [[The Wrap]].
18. (29 August 2013). "It's Vacation Time, Grief Stalker: 'Dark Tourist' Stars Michael Cudlitz". [[The New York Times]].
19. (18 February 2014). "Michael Cudlitz Teases Walking Dead Character, All-Important Mission Ahead". TV Fanatic.
20. (9 November 2014). "'Walking Dead's' Michael Cudlitz: Abraham Is "Very Damaged at This Point"". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
21. (9 November 2014). "'The Walking Dead' star Michael Cudlitz explains Abraham's shocking flashbacks".
22. (25 April 2013). "Michael Cudlitz - Presentation of Prism Award and acceptance speech".
23. "Rachael Cudlitz". [[XoJane]].
24. "Young Sheldon Fan Site".
25. Bucksbaum, Sydney. (January 24, 2023). "Superman & Lois casts Michael Cudlitz as Lex Luthor".