Mar 27, 1942

Fulmer, Buckinghamshire

Michael York is a prolific British actor, more recently best known among mainstream audiences for his role of Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers series of films.

Born to Joseph Gwynne Johnson, an army officer, and executive with Marks and Spencer department stores, and Florence Edith May Johnson, a musician. He began his career in a 1956 production of The Yellow Jacket. In 1959 he made his West End debut with a brief part in a production of Hamlet.
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York has toured with the Nat... ... (read more...) ional Youth Theatre, also performing with the Oxford University Dramatic Society and the University College Players.
York made his film debut as Lucentio in Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew (1967), then was cast as Tybalt in Zeffirelli's 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. He also starred in The Guru (1969), Cabaret (1972), Jesus of Nazareth (1979), The Three Musketeers (1973). York had already been on British TV as Jolyon (Jolly) in The Forsyte Saga (1967). He also played the title character in the film adaptation of Logan's Run (1976).
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York has enjoyed a busy and varied career in film, television, and on the stage. He has also made many sound recordings as a reader, including Harper Audio's production of C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

He has had appearances in the Babylon 5, Gilmore Girls and Justice League Unlimited, and SeaQuest 2032.
He has played Basil Exposition in all 3 of the Austin Powers movies.
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He has made an appearance on The Simpsons as Mason Fairbanks, Homer's possible father in Homer's Paternity Coot. He was also in the third season finale of Sliders as a character reminiscent of Dr. Moreau. In 2006, York played Bernard Fremont, on Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

York now resides in California. His stepson is Star Wars producer Rick McCallum.