Mike Myers

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This article is about the actor. For the baseball player, see Mike Myers.
Mike Myers
MikeMyersJune07.jpg
Myers at the Shrek the Third premiere, London in 2007
BornMichael John Myers
May 25, 1963 (age 51)
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
NationalityBritish Canadian
CitizenshipBritish/Canadian/American
OccupationActor, Comedian, Writer, Film producer, Film director
Years active1975–present
Net worthIncrease $175 million[1]
Spouse(s)Robin Ruzan (1993–2007; divorced)
Kelly Tisdale (2010–present); 2 children
RelativesPaul Myers (brother)
Michael John "Mike" Myers (born May 25, 1963) is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer,[2] known for his run as a featured performer on Saturday Night Live from 1989 to 1995, and for playing the title roles in the Wayne's World, Austin Powers, and Shrek films.

Early life[edit]

Myers was born on May 25, 1963[3] in Scarborough, Ontario, the son of English-born parents Eric Myers (1922–1991), an insurance agent, and his wife, Alice E. Hind (born 1926), an office supervisor and a veteran of the Royal Air Force.[4]
Both his parents were from Liverpool and he has two older brothers, Paul, an indie rock singer-songwriter, broadcaster and author, and Peter, a Sears Canada employee.
The family is of English, Scottish and Irish ancestry, and were raised Protestant.[5]
Myers reportedly holds Canadian, U.S. and British citizenship.[2]
He attended Sir John A. MacDonald Collegiate Institute in Scarborough, Ontario and then graduated from Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute, also in Scarborough.
When he graduated from high school, he joined the Second City Theatre.[citation needed]

Career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Myers began performing in commercials at age two, then at age ten he made a commercial for British Columbia Hydro Electric, with Gilda Radner playing his mother.[4] A few months later, according to Myers, his brother was teasing him about his "girlfriend [Radner] being on some stupid show on Saturday". Myers swore that one day he also would be on that show, the then-fledgling Saturday Night Live. At age 12, he made a guest appearance as Ari on the TV series King of Kensington.[6] Several years later he named the "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" fictional heroine Vanessa Kensington in honor of the series.[7]
Myers graduated from high school in 1982 and was immediately accepted into the Second City Canadian Touring Company, after which he moved to the United Kingdom where in 1985 he was one of the founding members of The Comedy Store Players, an improvisational group based at The Comedy Store in London.
The next year, he starred in the British children's TV program Wide Awake Club, parodying the show's normal exuberance with his own "Sound Asleep Club", in partnership with Neil Mullarkey.
He returned to Toronto and Second City in 1986 as a cast member in the Second City's Toronto main stage show.
In 1988 he moved from Second City in Toronto to Chicago. In Chicago, he trained, performed, and taught at the Improv Olympic.
He made numerous appearances, including as Wayne Campbell, on Toronto's Citytv in the early 1980s, on the alternative video show City Limits hosted by Christopher Ward.
Myers also appeared as Wayne Campbell in the music video for Ward's Canadian hit "Boys and Girls". Later, Ward appeared as one of Austin Powers' band members in Ming Tea in Myers's popular movie series.
The Wayne Campbell character was featured extensively in the 1986 summer series It's Only Rock & Roll, produced by Toronto's Insight Production Company for CBC Television. Wayne appeared both in studio and in a series of location sketches directed and edited by Allan Novak. Myers wrote another sketch, Kurt and Dieter co-starring with Second City's Dana Andersen and also directed by Novak, which would later turn into the popular "Sprockets" sketch on Saturday Night Live.[8]
On July 3, 2011 Myers returned to The Comedy Store in London to reprise his role 'for one night only' with the improvisational troupe (The Comedy Store Players). The UK comedy website Chortle were full of glowing praise for Myers, claiming "Myers himself excelled [and was] strikingly adept and quick-witted, when his laughs came they were the biggest squeals of the night...this was no chore for Myers – being funny comes naturally to him – he could’ve spent the whole two hours farting the Canadian national anthem and the audience would’ve still lapped it up."[9]

Film[edit]

Myers' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1992, Myers and Dana Carvey adapted Wayne's World into a full-length motion picture based on the SNL sketch. It was among the most successful movies of the year and the following year a sequel was released—Wayne's World 2. That year Myers also starred in So I Married an Axe Murderer, which garnered a cult following. The characters in the movie were based on people Myers knew growing up in the Bridlewood section of Scarborough. After Wayne's World 2, Myers took a hiatus from television. Myers returned to acting in 1997 with the film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, then a sequel in 1999, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, finally topping it off with Austin Powers in Goldmember in 2002. Myers played both the title role (Austin Powers) and the villain (Dr. Evil), as well as other characters, in all three Austin Powers films. In 1998, he played one of his rare non-comedic roles in the film 54: Steve Rubell, proprietor of New York City's famous Studio 54, a 1970s discotheque. The film was moderately successful, and Myers's performance was widely praised. Myers later parodied the club as "Studio 69" in Goldmember.[8]
In June 2000, Myers was sued by Universal Pictures for $3.8 million for backing out of a contract to play Dieter, the SNL character, in a feature film. Myers said he refused to honor the $20 million contract because he did not want to cheat moviegoers with an unacceptable script—one that he himself had written. Myers countersued, and a settlement was reached after several months where Myers agreed to make another film with Universal. That film would be The Cat in the Hat, released in November 2003 and starring Myers as the title character. In 2001, Myers provided the voice of Shrek in the DreamWorks animated film of the same name, after original planned voice actor Chris Farley died in 1997. He reprised this role in Shrek 4-D (a theme park ride) in 2003, Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third, and the Christmas special Shrek The Halls, both in 2007. In 2009 he played the part of British general Ed Fenech, in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. In 2010 Myers returned for what is apparently the last in the Shrek series, Shrek Forever After.[8]
Myers made a cameo appearance in Britney Spears' music video 'Boys' as his film character Austin Powers. Myers is a member of the band Ming Tea along with The Bangles' guitarist and vocalist Susanna Hoffs and musician Matthew Sweet. They performed the songs "BBC" and "Daddy Wasn't There" from the Austin Powers movies.
Myers at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival.
In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted among the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders. During a CBS interview in 2007, he noted that he normally takes three years between films. He spends one year "living his life" and then writes various screenplays, develops characters, practices them in front of live audiences, and then selects one of the screenplays to film. Myers noted this was the Marx Brothers' procedure for developing their film material.[citation needed]
Myers received the MTV Generation Award in June 2007, making him the second Canadian to win the award (following Jim Carrey in 2006), for bringing his unique style of comedy to small and big screens alike. His directorial debut, Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon, was selected to be screened in the Gala Presentation section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.[10]

Personal life[edit]

Myers began dating actress and comedy writer Robin Ruzan in the late 1980s after meeting at a hockey game in Chicago, during which Myers caught a puck and used the incident as an icebreaker to strike up a conversation with Ruzan. The couple married in 1993, and Myers later referred to Ruzan as "his muse".[11] The couple filed for divorce in December 2005.[12]
In 2006, cafe owner Kelly Tisdale confirmed reports that she and Myers were dating, telling the National Enquirer, "we're actually surprised you didn't find out about us sooner." Myers and Tisdale wed in New York in the fall of 2010.[13] They have one son, Spike Alan, and one daughter, Sunday Molly.[14][15]
Myers is a Dungeons & Dragons player[16] and was one of several celebrities to have participated in the Worldwide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day in 2006.[17]
Myers has played for Hollywood United F.C., a celebrity soccer team.[18] He played in the 2010 Soccer Aid for UNICEF UK football match, England vs. R.O.W (Rest of the World) and scored his penalty during a sudden death shootout after the game ended 2–2 (June 6, 2010). The Rest of the World team beat England for the first time since the tournament started. Myers is a fan of Liverpool F.C..[19]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992Wayne’s WorldWayne CampbellAlso Writer
MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo shared with Dana Carvey
Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance
soundtrack-Waynes World theme
Film debut
1993So I Married an Axe MurdererCharlie McKenzie/ Stuart McKenzieFirst film doing more than one role.
1993Wayne's World 2Wayne CampbellAlso Writer
Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo shared with Dana Carvey
1997Austin Powers: International Man of MysteryAustin Powers / Dr. EvilAlso Writer/ Producer
MTV Movie Award for Best Dance Sequence
MTV Movie Award for Best Villain
Nominated — Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor – Comedy
Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance
199854Steve RubellNominated — Csapnivalo Award for Best Male Performance
1998The Thin Pink LineTim Broderick
1998Pete's MeteorPete
1999Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged MeAustin Powers / Dr. Evil /
Fat Bastard		Also Writer/ Producer
American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Villain
Canadian Comedy Award for Film – Performance – Male
Canadian Comedy Award for Film – Writing – Original
MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo shared with Verne Troyer
MTV Movie Award for Best Villain
Teen Choice Award for Film – Choice Sleazebag as Fat Bastard.
Nominated — Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor – Comedy
Nominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor
Nominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Couple shared with Heather Graham
Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance
Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Fight shared with Verne Troyer
Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Musical Performance shared with Verne Troyer
Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Film – Choice Chemistry shared with Mindy Sterling
soundtrack-The Two of Us
1999Mystery, AlaskaDonnie Shulzhoffer
2001ShrekShrekVoice role
Nominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie
Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance
Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team shared with Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz
2002Austin Powers in GoldmemberAustin Powers / Dr. Evil /
Fat Bastard / Goldmember		Also Writer/ Producer
Canadian Comedy Award for Film – Pretty Funny Male Performance
Canadian Comedy Award for Film – Pretty Funny Writing
MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance
Nominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor
Nominated — Empire Award for Best Actor
Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Villain
Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor – Comedy
soundtrack- Hard Knocked Life
2003Nobody Knows Anything!'Eye' Witness
2003The Cat in the HatThe Cat in the HatNominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor
Nominated — Razzie Award for Worst Actor
Nominated — Razzie Award for Worst Screen Couple (with either Thing 1 or Thing 2)
2003Shrek 4-DShrekVoice role
ride
2003View from the TopJohn Witney
2004Shrek 2ShrekVoice role
Nominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie
Highest Grossing film of his acting career
2006HomeHimself
2007Shrek the ThirdShrekVoice
2008The Love GuruGuru Maurice Pitka/HimselfAlso Writer/Producer
Razzie Award for Worst Actor
Razzie Award for Worst Screenplay
Razzie Award for Worst Picture
Nominated — National Movie Award for Best Performance – Male
2009Inglourious BasterdsGen. Ed FenechBroadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by an Ensemble
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2010Shrek Forever AfterShrekVoice role
Nominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Voice in an Animated Film
2012Oscar EtiquetteSir Cecil WorthingtonShort film
2013Being Canadian, SometimesHimselfDocumentary
2013Supermensch: The Legend of Shep GordonHimselfDirector, Documentary

Television[edit]

YearTitleRoleNotes
1975King of KensingtonAriEpisode: "Scout's Honour"
1977Range Ryder and the Calgary KidHimself
1979The Littlest HoboTommyEpisode: "Boy on Wheels"
1980BizarreTimmy Byner
1985John and Yoko: A Love StoryDelivery Boy (uncredited)
1987Meet JulieVoice
1987It's Only Rock & RollWayne Campbell
1989Elvis StoriesCockney Man
1989–95Saturday Night LiveVarious
2011Saturday Night LiveWayne CampbellEpisode hosted by Dana Carvey
2014Monty Python Live (Mostly)Himself
2014Saturday Night LiveDr. Evil

Awards[edit]

Myers has won the following awards:

Notable SNL characters[edit]

The following characters were created and played by Myers on SNL:
Characters
  • Dieter – host of Sprockets
  • Linda Richman – hostess of Coffee Talk
  • Simon – a little boy who does drawings in the bath and complains about having "prune hands" (the theme song for this segment was a slightly modified version of the theme song from Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings by Edward MacLachlan)
  • Wayne Campbell (SNL, the Wayne's World films)
  • Pat Arnold (SNL, Bill Swerski's Superfans)
  • Stuart Rankin – proprietor of "All Things Scottish"
  • Lothar (Of the Hill People)
  • Middle-Aged Man – An older man who helps young people with their problems
  • Phillip – A child of the age of six (though in the sketch when arguing with another girl he claims he is six and a half, six and four-fifths, and six and infinity plus one.) who is hypoglycemic and hyperactive (quote: "I'm a hyper hypo"). Phillip appears in at least two sketches, one with Nicole Kidman and the other with Kim Basinger. The sketch centers on him at a playground while wearing a helmet and a harness tied to the monkey bars.
  • Kenneth Reese-Evans – host of "Theatre Stories"
  • In December 2014, Myers appeared in a cameo during the cold open as his character Dr. Evil, a super villain known for his appearances in the Austin Powers film series where he ranted about North Korea, in particular the logic of Kim Jong-un, and the 2014 Sony hack.[22][23]

References[edit]

  1. Jump up ^ "Mike Myers Net Worth - THE RICHEST". therichest. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Paul Harrison (2005). Mike Myers. Heinemann-Raintree Library. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4109-1088-2.
  3. Jump up ^ "Mike Myers Biography at". TV Guide. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Mike Myers Biography at". TalkTalk. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  5. Jump up ^ Elson, Peter (2002-07-27). "Mike Myers: International Man of Mirth". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  6. Jump up ^ "Scout's Honour".
  7. Jump up ^ "King of Kensington (1975–80)". Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c Mike Myers at the Internet Movie Database
  9. Jump up ^ Butler, Marc. "Mike Myers & The Comedy Store Players 3/7/2011". Chortle Live Review. Chortle. Retrieved 2011-07-07.
  10. Jump up ^ "Supermensch The Legend of Shep Gordon". TIFF. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  11. Jump up ^ "Mike and Kelly wed in secret". New York Post. 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  12. Jump up ^ "Mike Myers, wife file for divorce: report". MSN. 2005-12-24. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  13. Jump up ^ "Mike Myers secretly marries longtime girlfriend". CTV. 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  14. Jump up ^ "Mike Myers becomes first-time father to baby boy". CTV News. 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
  15. Jump up ^ "Mike Myers Welcomes Daughter". People. April 11, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  16. Jump up ^ "Mike Myers". Inside the Actors Studio. Season 7. Episode 9. 2001-02-04.
  17. Jump up ^ "Dungeons and Dragons Game Day at London Dungeon". Viewlondon.co.uk. 2007-11-03. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  18. Jump up ^ Philip, Robert (2008-03-05). "Frank Leboeuf ready to act on the ball". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  19. Jump up ^ Bourne, Dianne (May 27, 2010). "US actor Mike Myers to play football in Manchester for charity". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  20. Jump up ^ "Mike Myers". Canada's Walk of Fame.
  21. Jump up ^ "Hollywood Walk of Fame database". HWOF.com.
  22. Jump up ^ Leeds, Sarene (December 22, 2014). "Mike Myers’ Dr. Evil Schools North Korea and Sony Pictures". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  23. Jump up ^ "Dr. Evil Returns on ‘SNL’ to Talk Sony and North Korea". Variety. December 21, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mike Myers.
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