Michael Mahonen
Encyclopedia
Michael Mahonen is a Canadian
actor
, director
and screen writer.
Michael felt prompted to take an acting class in seventh grade. Once a week he made the trek across town in the middle of winter, to attend an evening acting class held by a man who had arrived in town looking for employment. The class ended abruptly, but the teacher took him aside and told him that when it came time to think of what he wanted to do for a living he should seriously consider acting.
After spending two years at Northern College
in Kirkland Lake, where he played on two provincial college championship basketball teams, Michael took a year off school to contemplate his future while working at various jobs such as living in the bush planting trees, construction and house painting. The seed of acting that had been planted back in seventh grade returned to Michael’s mind. He moved to Toronto and auditioned for the Theatre Arts Program at George Brown College
and was accepted. Peter Wylde
, head of acting at the school, had a profound influence on Michael as an actor and a person. Wylde also directed a production of “Hamlet” in which Michael had the title role.
After graduating from George Brown in 1989, Michael auditioned for a young company being formed for The Citadel Theatre
in Edmonton. Auditions were held across Canada for actors under the age of 35 and Michael secured one of fifteen coveted positions in this prestigious group. His first job as a professional actor, he played the role of James Keller in "The Miracle Worker," and the roles of Lucius and Popilious Lena in "Julius Caesar." A whirlwind of leading roles in theaters across Canada followed, including "Biloxi Blues" at Stage West in Calgary, "D Street and Broadway" at Toronto’s Factory Theater, and "Bordertown Cafe" at Theater New Brunswick.
In 1990 he was chosen for the role of Gus Pike, the teenage ship-wrecked orphan, on the CBC television program Road to Avonlea
. Although he was originally scheduled to appear in only two episodes, the character he created won the praise of the critics and was so endearing to viewers that Gus was written into two more episodes in season two and his contract was extended for two additional seasons. He garnered 3 Gemini Award
nominations in 1993, 1994 and 1995 for his work on that series.
He starred opposite Billy Dee Williams
in his 1992 film debut as Arvo Leek, the jazz trumpet prodigy, in Giant Steps. A significant role in Michael’s acting career came when he auditioned for the part of Lee Colgan in the CBC miniseries Conspiracy of Silence. Bernard Zuckerman, Executive Producer, auditioned over 400 actors for the part. Under the direction of the late Frances Mankiewicz, the film focuses on the chilling 16 year silence of an entire town that knew the identity of the four assailants who murdered a young native girl, Helen Betty Osborne, in The Pas, Manitoba. Central to the plot is the life of Colgan chronicled out from the age of 17 to 33, and the living hell he experienced from the night of Betty’s slaying.
A strong work ethic combined with abundant physical and mental endurance was necessary for him to manage the unusual circumstance of shooting two very different projects at the same time in 1991. Playing the appealing, down-to-earth teenager Gus Pike on Road to Avonlea
by day and the 33 year old guilt-ridden, self-destructive Lee Colgan on the CBC mini-series Conspiracy of Silence at night resulted in double Gemini nominations in the same year. During Conspiracy, Michael’s character ages over 15 years from a teenager to alcoholic adult, and his compelling performance captured the Gemini win for Best Actor in a Television Mini-Series or Film.
In 1994 Michael co-starred with Michael Riley in The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, a breakthrough television special based on a short story of the same name. Michael played the character of Paul, a young man dying of the AIDS virus after contracting it from a blood transfusion a few years earlier. By this time Michael was splitting his time between Los Angeles and Toronto, returning to Canada on several occasions to perform various roles in theater and also to film episodes for the final two seasons of Avonlea. In the summer of 1994 he played the role of Jacob Mercer in Salt Water Moon, part of David French’s Mercer family saga set in Newfoundland.
He guest starred in numerous American and Canadian television projects including an episode of Star Trek: Voyager entitled “Nemesis” in which he played the recognizable humanoid, Brone. He also guest starred as John Jewitt in the epic television series A People’s History of Canada.
In 1997, Michael starred in the world premiere of Judith Thompson’s Sled at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre then returned to film, co-starring in the cult thriller Captured. He went on to record The Red Badge of Courage for CBC Radio and was seen in the television productions of Whoopi Goldberg’s Strong Medicine and Canada’s acclaimed series, This is Wonderland. He went on to make several more films including a cameo in the 2008 mystery-drama Blindness starring Julianne Moore.
In 2003, Michael began work on his first feature film, Sandstorm, a fact-based drama about the persecution of Falun Gong
practitioners in China. He wrote, directed and produced the entire project for under $5,000 with an all-volunteer cast. Screened as a work-in-progress at film festivals around the world, the work received 29 awards including Best Feature Film, Best Drama, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Set for theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles starting September 4, 2009, the film will be also be released on DVD with English, French, Spanish and Mandarin subtitles and will include a Director’s Commentary and Director’s Interview.
In 2008 he wrote a feature film screenplay based on the true story of late Canadian artists Peter and Catharine Whyte which is now in pre-production.
Michael has several other film projects in development all under the banner of his U.S. based production company Requisite Films (www.requisitefilm.com). The mission for Requisite Films is to produce entertaining and enlightening films of integrity that awaken conscience and inspire compassion.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and screen writer.
Biography
As a child Michael did not have a particular interest in acting and looks back on his first acting experience as something he wasn’t the least bit interested in or inspired to do. “It was some sort of Charlie Brown show in grade three or four,” he says. “I was given the part of Charlie, and I remember having to be forced to learn my lines at the last minute and was quite bored with the actual work aspect. I liked just hanging out with the other kids when we rehearsed. The poor teacher was so frustrated with me and my lines and was quite nervous about the whole thing from what I remember.”Michael felt prompted to take an acting class in seventh grade. Once a week he made the trek across town in the middle of winter, to attend an evening acting class held by a man who had arrived in town looking for employment. The class ended abruptly, but the teacher took him aside and told him that when it came time to think of what he wanted to do for a living he should seriously consider acting.
After spending two years at Northern College
Northern College
Northern College is a college of applied arts and technology in Northern Ontario. The College's catchment area extends across . More than 65 communities within Northeastern Ontario are served by four campuses located in Timmins , Kirkland Lake, Moosonee, and Haileybury. Annual enrolment is...
in Kirkland Lake, where he played on two provincial college championship basketball teams, Michael took a year off school to contemplate his future while working at various jobs such as living in the bush planting trees, construction and house painting. The seed of acting that had been planted back in seventh grade returned to Michael’s mind. He moved to Toronto and auditioned for the Theatre Arts Program at George Brown College
George Brown College
George Brown College is a public, fully accredited college of applied arts and technology with three full campuses in downtown Toronto, Ontario...
and was accepted. Peter Wylde
Peter Wylde
Peter Wylde is an American show jumping competitor and olympic champion.At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Wylde won the gold medal as part of the United States team in Team jumping, together with McLain Ward, Beezie Madden and Chris Kappler.-References:*-External links:*...
, head of acting at the school, had a profound influence on Michael as an actor and a person. Wylde also directed a production of “Hamlet” in which Michael had the title role.
After graduating from George Brown in 1989, Michael auditioned for a young company being formed for The Citadel Theatre
Citadel Theatre
The Citadel Theatre is the major venue for theatre arts in the city of Edmonton, located in the Downtown Core on Churchill Square.-History:Originally the "Old Salvation Army Citadel", the Citadel was bought by Joseph H. Shoctor, James L. Martin, Ralph B. MacMillan, and Sandy Mactaggart, and the...
in Edmonton. Auditions were held across Canada for actors under the age of 35 and Michael secured one of fifteen coveted positions in this prestigious group. His first job as a professional actor, he played the role of James Keller in "The Miracle Worker," and the roles of Lucius and Popilious Lena in "Julius Caesar." A whirlwind of leading roles in theaters across Canada followed, including "Biloxi Blues" at Stage West in Calgary, "D Street and Broadway" at Toronto’s Factory Theater, and "Bordertown Cafe" at Theater New Brunswick.
In 1990 he was chosen for the role of Gus Pike, the teenage ship-wrecked orphan, on the CBC television program Road to Avonlea
Road to Avonlea
Road to Avonlea was a television series which was first broadcast in Canada and the United States between 1990 and 1996. It was created by Kevin Sullivan and produced by Sullivan Films in association with CBC and the Disney Channel, with additional funding from Telefilm Canada.It was adapted from...
. Although he was originally scheduled to appear in only two episodes, the character he created won the praise of the critics and was so endearing to viewers that Gus was written into two more episodes in season two and his contract was extended for two additional seasons. He garnered 3 Gemini Award
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
nominations in 1993, 1994 and 1995 for his work on that series.
He starred opposite Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams
William December "Billy Dee" Williams, Jr. is an American actor, artist, singer, and writer.-Early life:Williams was born in New York City, New York, the son of Loretta...
in his 1992 film debut as Arvo Leek, the jazz trumpet prodigy, in Giant Steps. A significant role in Michael’s acting career came when he auditioned for the part of Lee Colgan in the CBC miniseries Conspiracy of Silence. Bernard Zuckerman, Executive Producer, auditioned over 400 actors for the part. Under the direction of the late Frances Mankiewicz, the film focuses on the chilling 16 year silence of an entire town that knew the identity of the four assailants who murdered a young native girl, Helen Betty Osborne, in The Pas, Manitoba. Central to the plot is the life of Colgan chronicled out from the age of 17 to 33, and the living hell he experienced from the night of Betty’s slaying.
A strong work ethic combined with abundant physical and mental endurance was necessary for him to manage the unusual circumstance of shooting two very different projects at the same time in 1991. Playing the appealing, down-to-earth teenager Gus Pike on Road to Avonlea
Road to Avonlea
Road to Avonlea was a television series which was first broadcast in Canada and the United States between 1990 and 1996. It was created by Kevin Sullivan and produced by Sullivan Films in association with CBC and the Disney Channel, with additional funding from Telefilm Canada.It was adapted from...
by day and the 33 year old guilt-ridden, self-destructive Lee Colgan on the CBC mini-series Conspiracy of Silence at night resulted in double Gemini nominations in the same year. During Conspiracy, Michael’s character ages over 15 years from a teenager to alcoholic adult, and his compelling performance captured the Gemini win for Best Actor in a Television Mini-Series or Film.
In 1994 Michael co-starred with Michael Riley in The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, a breakthrough television special based on a short story of the same name. Michael played the character of Paul, a young man dying of the AIDS virus after contracting it from a blood transfusion a few years earlier. By this time Michael was splitting his time between Los Angeles and Toronto, returning to Canada on several occasions to perform various roles in theater and also to film episodes for the final two seasons of Avonlea. In the summer of 1994 he played the role of Jacob Mercer in Salt Water Moon, part of David French’s Mercer family saga set in Newfoundland.
He guest starred in numerous American and Canadian television projects including an episode of Star Trek: Voyager entitled “Nemesis” in which he played the recognizable humanoid, Brone. He also guest starred as John Jewitt in the epic television series A People’s History of Canada.
In 1997, Michael starred in the world premiere of Judith Thompson’s Sled at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre then returned to film, co-starring in the cult thriller Captured. He went on to record The Red Badge of Courage for CBC Radio and was seen in the television productions of Whoopi Goldberg’s Strong Medicine and Canada’s acclaimed series, This is Wonderland. He went on to make several more films including a cameo in the 2008 mystery-drama Blindness starring Julianne Moore.
In 2003, Michael began work on his first feature film, Sandstorm, a fact-based drama about the persecution of Falun Gong
Falun Gong
Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline first introduced in China in 1992 by its founder, Li Hongzhi, through public lectures. It combines the practice of meditation and slow-moving qigong exercises with the moral philosophy...
practitioners in China. He wrote, directed and produced the entire project for under $5,000 with an all-volunteer cast. Screened as a work-in-progress at film festivals around the world, the work received 29 awards including Best Feature Film, Best Drama, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Set for theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles starting September 4, 2009, the film will be also be released on DVD with English, French, Spanish and Mandarin subtitles and will include a Director’s Commentary and Director’s Interview.
In 2008 he wrote a feature film screenplay based on the true story of late Canadian artists Peter and Catharine Whyte which is now in pre-production.
Michael has several other film projects in development all under the banner of his U.S. based production company Requisite Films (www.requisitefilm.com). The mission for Requisite Films is to produce entertaining and enlightening films of integrity that awaken conscience and inspire compassion.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-1996 | Road to Avonlea Road to Avonlea Road to Avonlea was a television series which was first broadcast in Canada and the United States between 1990 and 1996. It was created by Kevin Sullivan and produced by Sullivan Films in association with CBC and the Disney Channel, with additional funding from Telefilm Canada.It was adapted from... |
Gus Pike | 28 episodes |
| 1991 | Rin Tin Tin: K-9 Cop Katts and Dog Katts and Dog is a French and Canadian-produced television series which ran from 1988 to 1993. It was known as Rin Tin Tin: K-9 Cop in the United States where it originally aired on CBN Cable/The Family Channel and Rintintin Junior in France... |
Norman Baker | Episode: "Abused Child" |
| 1991 | Conspiracy of Silence | Lee Colgan | TV movie |
| 1992 | Top Cops Top Cops Top Cops was a documetary program broadcast in the United States on the CBS television network from 1990 to 1993.Each episode of Top Cops consisted of two to three segments featuring commended police officers and dramatic recreations of the events leading to their having been honored.One episode... |
Keith Gordon | Episode: "Robert Ruh" |
| 1992 | Personal Effects | Philip | Short film |
| 1992 | Giant Steps | Arvo Leek | |
| 1992 | By Way of the Stars | Ben Davis | TV mini-series |
| 1992 | Secret Service Secret Service (TV Series) Secret Service was an American action drama television series, created by Gilbert M. Shilton and George Mendeluk, which premiered on NBC on August 16, 1992 and ended on November 17, 1993. The show was a re-enactment of real Secret Service cases. It aired 21 episodes... |
Chandler | Episode: "Social Insecurity/Inside Job" |
| 1993 | Collateral Damage | Nick | Short film |
| 1997 | Star Trek: Voyager Star Trek: Voyager Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while... |
Brone | Episode: "Nemesis" |
| 1997 | Viper Viper (TV series) Viper is an action-adventure TV series about a special task force set up by the federal government to fight crime in the fictional city of Metro City, California that is perpetually under siege from one crime wave after another. The weapon used by this task force is an assault vehicle that... |
Dirk Hanley | Episode: "Wilderness Run" |
| 1998 | Captured | Joey Breed | Video |
| 2000 | Canada: A People's History Canada: A People's History Canada: A People's History is a 17-episode, 32-hour documentary television series on the history of Canada. It first aired on CBC Television from October 2000 to November 2001. The production was an unusually large project for the national network, especially during budget cutbacks. The unexpected... |
John Jewitt | Episode: "When the World Began..." |
| 2000 | Strong Medicine Strong Medicine Strong Medicine is a medical drama with a focus on feminist politics, health issues and class conflict. The television series aired on the Lifetime network from 2000 to 2006. It is distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The series was created and produced in part by comedienne and... |
Anonymous / Joe | Episode: "Second Look" |
| 2001 | An Intrigue of Manners | Dorimant | |
| 2003 | A Taste of Shakespeare | Malcolm | Episode: "Macbeth" |
| 2004 | This Is Wonderland This Is Wonderland This Is Wonderland was a Canadian television series which aired on CBC Television. The series is a legal drama with comedic elements, or a comedy-drama. It was created by playwright George F... |
Patrick Bellamy | Episode: "1.5" |
| 2007 | All Hat All Hat All Hat is a 2007 Canadian western comedy film directed by Leonard Farlinger, written by Brad Smith , and starring Luke Kirby, Keith Carradine, Noam Jenkins, and Lisa Ray.-Plot:... |
Steve Allman | |
| 2008 | Blindness Blindness (film) Blindness is a 2008 English-language film that is an adaptation of the 1995 novel of the same name by the Portuguese writer José Saramago about a society suffering an epidemic of blindness. The film is written by Don McKellar and directed by Fernando Meirelles with Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo... |
Sergeant | |
| 2009 | Crangle's Collision | Sydney | Short film |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Sandstorm | 2005 - Won - Humanitarian Film Award 2004 - Won - Grand Jury Prize - Best Feature Film |