Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Michael Ironside has made a strong and indelible impression with his often
incredibly intense and explosive portrayals of fearsome villains throughout the
years. He was born as Frederick Reginald Ironside on February 12, 1950 in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. Ironside was a successful arm wrestler in his teenage years. His
initial ambition was to be a writer. At age fifteen Michael wrote a play called
"The Shelter" that won first prize in a Canada-wide university contest; he used the
prize mone... ... (read more...) y to mount a production of this play. Ironside attended the Ontario
College of Art, took acting lessons from Janine Manatis, and studied for three
years at the Canadian National Film Board. Ironside worked in construction as a
roofer prior to embarking on an acting career. He first began acting in movies in
the late 70s. Ironside received plenty of recognition with his frightening turn as
deadly and powerful psychic Darryl Revok in David Cronenberg's "Scanners." He was
likewise very chilling as vicious misogynistic psychopath Colt Hawker in the
underrated "Visiting Hours." Other memorable film roles include weary Detective
Roersch in the sadly forgotten thriller "Cross Country," the crazed Overdog in the
immensely enjoyable "Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone," the hard-nosed
Jester in the blockbuster smash "Top Gun," ramrod Major Paul Hackett in "Extreme
Prejudice," loner Vietnam veteran Ben in "Nowhere to Hide," the ferocious Lem
Johnson in "Watchers," and lethal immortal General Katana in "Highlander II: The
Quickening." Moreover, Ironside has appeared in two highly entertaining science
fiction features for Paul Verhoeven: at his savage best as the evil Richter in
"Total Recall" and typically excellent as the rugged Lieutenant Jean Rasczak in
"Starship Troopers." Ironside showed a more tender and thoughtful side with his
lovely and touching performance as a hardened convict who befriends a disabled man
in the poignant indie drama gem "Chaindance;" he also co-wrote the script and
served as an executive producer for this beautiful sleeper. Michael was terrific as
tough mercenary Ham Tyler on the epic TV mini-series "V," its follow up "V: The
Final Battle," and subsequent short-lived spin-off TV show. Ironside also had a
recurring role on the TV series "SeaQuest DSV." Among the television programs
Michael has done guest spots on are "The A-Team," "Hill Street Blues," "Mike
Hammer," "The Hitchhiker," "Tales from the Crypt," "Superman," "Walker, Texas
Ranger," "The Outer Limits," "ER," "Smallville," "ER," "Desperate Housewives,"
"Justice League," and "Masters of Horror." More recently Ironside garnered a slew
of plaudits and a Gemini Award nomination for his outstanding portrayal of shrewd
biker gang leader Bob Durelle in the acclaimed Canadian mini-series "The Last
Chapter." In addition to his substantial film and TV work, Michael Ironside has
also lent his distinctive deep voice to TV commercials and video games. He's the
father of actress Adrienne Ironside.