Michael's entry into
comedy was almost preordained. Years ago in a crowded Grand Rapids,
Michigan movie theater, the projector malfunctioned. The film snapped,
the house lights came on, and acting on a dare, young Michael jumped in
front of the restless crowd and took center stage. When the theater
manager tried to usher him out, the audience demanded he stay... and
Michael Jr. discovered his gift.
Comedian George Wallace offered Michael his first break when he took
him to the legendary Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, home of Jay
Leno and "The Tonight Show" staff. The club's owner slipped Michael
onstage... and a week later Michael was performing at the "Just for
Laughs" comedy festival in Montreal, where he became the first comedian
to ever appear live via satellite on "The Tonight Show."
That performance catapulted Michael's career and has resulted in
additional appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Comedy
Central, TV One, The Late, Late Show, BET's ComicView, Jimmy Kimmel
Live, SiTV, CNN, The Tom Joyner Show, The Bob and Tom Show , DayBreak
USA and Bryon Allen's Comic Unleashed and ComedyTV. You'll also find
him at the most prestigious comedy clubs across the nation, including
The Improv, The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, The Punchline, The
Comic Strip, and Zanies Comedy Club. And, if that's not enough --
Michael's versatility takes him from major universities such as Notre
Dame, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Alabama,
to church events ranging from the 60,000 member Willow Creek Church in
Chicago to the 17,000 member West Angeles Church in L.A to the 10,000
member New Life Church in Colorado Springs.
How can one man be equally at home in the heartland and the inner city,
churches and prisons, corporate events and youth rallies? Michael calls
it comedy accountability.
It is this versatility that has enabled Michael to author a children's
book - The Parts We Play, to be featured in the wildly successful
comedy DVD Thou Shalt Laugh, and to have made his directorial debut
with Comedy The Road Less Traveled.
On the home front, Michael is happily married. He and his wife are the
proud parents of five beautiful children.
More Than Funny(2018)
Comedy: The Road Less Traveled(2009)
Laughing on Purpose(2012)
Ocean's One(2010)
BET's Comicview(1992)
The White House Pod - Dare to Dream(2024)as Guest
Selfie Dad(2020)as Ben Marcus
War Room(2015)as Michael Alexander
Comics Unleashed(2006)as Self
Takeaways with Kirk Cameron(2021)as Self
50 States of Homeless: 50 Homes(2021)as Self - Host 2021-2022
Ministry Now(2020)as Self
The History of Comedy(2017)as Self
