Prior to acting, Michael attended the Ontario College of Art.
Michael got his facial scar by going through a plate glass door while drunk. He felt it could help him get interesting roles, so never had plastic surgery to correct it.
Michael uses the "method" style of acting.
Michael supplied voice work for 2002's Run Like Hell videogame.
Michael was the executive producer of the tv movie Probable Cause (1994).
Michael made his film debut playing a drunk in Outrageous! (1977).
In 1982, Michael was nominated for the Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for: Scanners (1981).
In 1989, Michael was nominated for the Gemini Award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actor for: One Boy, One Wolf, One Summer (1988).
In 2002, Michael was nominated for the Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series for: Le Dernier chapitre: La Suite (2002).
In 2003, Michael was nominated for the Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role for: The Last Chapter II: The War Continues (2003).