Michael Rooker

Early life

Rooker was born in Jasper, Alabama. He has nine brothers and sisters. His parents divorced when he was 13, and he moved with his mother and siblings to Chicago, where he attended Wells Community Academy High School and studied at the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University.

Career

Rooker made his film debut in 1986, playing the title role in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, based on the confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. He was acting in a play when the play's director, who was going to do the prosthetics for Henry, told him about the role. Rooker did not care if the script was good or bad; he just wanted to act in a film as it would "challenge" him. Henry was a critical success and Rooker received more film roles.

He was given more dramatic roles in films such as Eight Men Out, Mississippi Burning, and JFK, but he became widely known for his roles in action and thriller films such as Sea of Love, Days of Thunder, Cliffhanger, and Tombstone. He also starred in Mallrats, Rosewood, The 6th Day, Slither, Jumper, Super and Hypothermia.

In June 2010, Rooker revealed via Twitter that he was to appear in the AMC television series The Walking Dead as Merle Dixon, one of the survivors of a zombie apocalypse. He guest-starred in two episodes of the first season and one of the second season before becoming a series regular for the third season.

Rooker is also known for his roles in video games, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops (where he played himself), Mike Harper in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 in November 2012, and as Merle in The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, the video game based on the television series.

He played Yondu Udonta in the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy, directed by James Gunn, and reprised the role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) as well as The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022). In 2021 he appeared in the action film F9, directed by Justin Lin.

Personal life

Rooker lives in California with his wife Margot. They married in 1979 and have two daughters, Alynne and Gillian. He practices the Kyokushin style of karate.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

References

1. (June 4, 2009). "'They' Command You to Score New TP/HC From Image". [[Bloody Disgusting]].
2. "Michael Rooker Biography - Yahoo! Movies".
3. Hardwick, Chris. (December 20, 2011). "Nerdist Podcast #151: Michael Rooker". [[Nerdist News.
4. (February 10, 2010). "Dark Sky's Hypothermia is Rolling! Full Casting News". [[Dread Central]].
5. "Michael Rooker Discusses 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer'". Yahoo.
6. (October 18, 2012). "A Chat with Horror Icon Michael Rooker". Dread Central.
7. (June 11, 2010). "TV: Michael Rooker Becomes One of 'The Walking Dead'!". Bloody Disgusting.
8. (April 15, 2010). "Blood-Soaked Snow in First Hi-Res Look at 'Hypothermia'". Bloody Disgusting.
9. (February 2, 2010). "Michael Rooker Scores Leading Role in Dark Sky's 'Hypothermia'!". Bloody Disgusting.
10. (February 26, 2010). "First Look at Michael Rooker on the Set of 'Hypothermia'!". Bloody Disgusting.
11. (October 2012). "Michael Rooker Joining AMC's The Walking Dead". Dread Central.
12. "Michael Rooker interview (Merle Dixon on "The Walking Dead")". The Desk of Brian.
13. (April 16, 2013). "Michael Rooker Joins 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'".
14. (November 9, 2014). "Michael Rooker Says Yondu Will Return for Guardians of the Galaxy 2".
15. (August 19, 2019). "Michael Rooker Buckles Up For 'Fast & Furious 9'".
16. "Michael Rooker". [[TV Guide]].
17. Francisco, Eric. (August 3, 2021). "Michael Rooker: A real-life superpower inspired his 'Suicide Squad' role [Exclusive]".
18. (December 2011). "Truly Disturbing: Horror Icon of the Month: Michael Rooker {{!}} Michael Rooker Online".
19. Grobar, Matt. (October 28, 2021). "'The Out-Laws': Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Lil Rel Howery & More Round Out Cast Of Netflix Action Comedy".
20. "Amazon.com: Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed: Sean Astin, Tom Arnold, Michael Rooker, Penn Jillette, Zelda Williams, Matt Walsh, Alison Haislip, Meghan Camarena, William Shatner, Kevin Smith, Tony Hawk, Jeremy Snead: Amazon Digital Services LLC".
21. "Cast & Crew - Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed".
22. Stipp, Christopher. (November 19, 2016). "This Week In Trailers: I Am Not Your Negro, The New Man, Detour, Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed, The Salesman".