Born in Philadelphia, Michael came from a line of German sailors on one side and American Delaware Indians on the other. As a 10 year old Michael directed his first film entitle The Tire. It was shot with a super-8 camera his mother bought him. He continued making short films into his late teens. During his early teens, Michael had a few small parts in film and television. Living with his dog in a truck for six months in Los Angeles to save money, he worked odd jobs and construction work, taking whatever small parts he could as he climbed the Hollywood ladder. His first lead came with the film 致命一击 (1992) for which Variety deemed him "a promising newcomer." He worked in a series of low-budget films before landing a part in the TV series Acapulco H.E.A.T. (1993). He had a close call with greater fame from being second choice for the role of Robin in 永远的蝙蝠侠 (1995). Michael wrote and directed the independent Killing Cupid (2005) which gained him a Best Director nomination at the Action On Film Film Festival in 2005 as well as winning Best Fiction Film at the Hollywood Fiction Film and Video Festival in 2006. He wrote and recently completed appearing the psychological thriller/western 双 (2008) which won Best Independent Action Film. His second directorial work is the drama God's Ears (2008).
Earned a black belt in Tang Soo Do Karate under former 查克·诺瑞斯 master Joey Escobar.
Trained in Escrima (a Filipino martial arts) and Jeet Kune Do under former 李小龙 student Dan Inosanto.
He was the body model for 查尔顿·赫斯顿 for Planet of the Apes (1968) re-issue poster.
Spending many years living on a ranch, he had a pet rooster named "Sonny" who would walk around his house and follow him around the ranch like a dog.
Studied acting with 查理兹·塞隆 from Ivana Chubbuck.