Michael Chiklis

Overview

Born
August 30, 1963 · Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
Birth name
Michael Charles Chiklis
Nickname
- Chick or Chicky
Height
5′ 7″ (1.70 m)

Mini Bio

Family

Spouse
Children
Parents

Self-verified on IMDbPro

Gender / Gender identity
Male
Pronouns
he/him
Sexual orientation
Straight
Race / Ethnicity
White

Trademarks

Bald head and bold blue eyes
Rasping voice

Trivia

Growing up, he liked the heroic comic book character Ben Grimm, aka The Thing of the Fantastic Four. In fact, at the age of 18, he told his brother that if a Fantastic Four movie was ever made, he would play Ben Grimm. He lived his fantasy and got to play what he called "my dream role" in 2005 when he played the character in Fantastic Four (2005).
Is the only actor from Fantastic Four (2005) that is actually a fan of the comic book series.
After his series Daddio (2000) went off the air, his wife suggested that Chiklis slim his weight down and change his self image with a different look and a totally different acting part, even if they have to create one themselves for him. He then shaved his head, lost more than 40 pounds, worked out vigorously and the two of them started to write a "rogue cop" movie role for him. Chiklis eventually read The Shield (2002)'s pilot script (originally called "Rampart"), which was similar to his "rogue cop" movie script, and aggressively pursued the part of Vic Mackey until he got it. When he read for the the part, he channeled "anger" by being furious at the prospect of not getting it.
Comic book writing legend and icon Stan Lee quoted Chiklis' performances as The Thing/Ben Grimm in both Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) as being his favorite of all the Marvel Comic characters to be adapted onto live film.
His real daughter, Autumn Chiklis, plays his character, Vic Mackey's, daughter Cassidy on The Shield (2002) He has said that his daughter is not to witness any violence on the show and is to be kept apart from all scenes except for the scenes she is in.

Quotes

A bricklayer lays bricks. I'm an actor, that's what I do.
(1999) After Wired (1989), everyone was afraid to touch me for fear of reprisal. It was a bittersweet situation. All of a sudden, I was starring in a major motion picture and the next thing you know, I'm being asked by reporters, 'Do you think you'll be blackballed?' I literally went from appearing at the Cannes Film Festival, with the whole international press corps asking me questions, to being alone in my one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn with the phone not ringing. All the dreams and aspirations I'd ever had in my life were in question. It was a humbling, scary experience.
I am the first to admit my iPad is the coolest thing in the world, but when we can be in a room together and really connect, or leave the gadgets home and go for a hike, then I'm happy.
When something that occupies a giant space in your life comes to an end, then you have to go through a mourning period. I loved 'The Shield.' It was one of the hardest and one of the greatest experiences of my life. But having said that, I'm always thinking about what's next.
The most challenging part of being a dad is self-restraint. So often your instinct is to teach and tell. I am constantly reminding myself to listen to them.