Trained with acting guru Uta Hagen in the early 80s.

Has made a lucrative living appearing on the side in Japanese commercials and in print ads.

Unlike rumor has it, he was not the original choice to play the Punisher/Frank Castle in the 1989 film adaptation of the Punisher comic books.

When he is not working on films, he lives full time in Amsterdam with his wife.

Has three brothers and six sisters. His father, who died of leukemia when Michael was about 5 years old, was French-Canadian and his mother is Irish.

Was on the wrestling team in high school.

Studied at the Culinary Institute of America in his "salad" days and was working as a chef when his strikingly hunky looks opened the door for modeling work.