Birthdate: June 7, 1988
Birthplace: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
The Acting Bug
Michael Cera began acting at a young age when he made his television debut in a commercial for the Canadian fast food chain Tim Hortons. More commercials followed as well as roles in children's shows such as the voice of Little Gizmo on the animated series Rolie Polie Olie and as a series regular on I Was a Sixth Grade Alien. Cera soon landed parts in feature films like Ultimate G's, Steal This Movie, and the science fiction thriller Frequency. He also lent his voice to several cartoons, including Braceface and The Berenstein Bears.
Michael’s Arrested Development
In 2001, Cera received the script for the sit-com pilot Arrested Development. Sensing this was a special role, he flew to Hollywood to audition to play George Michael. Along with Alia Shawkat, who played his cousin Maeby, Cera was the first actor cast for the series. Arrested Development received almost unanimous critical acclaim and numerous awards, including six Emmys and two Screen Actors' Guild Awards but never found an audience among TV viewers and was eventually canceled.
Superbad is Supergood
In 2007 Michael starred in comedy hit Superbad, about two friends who try to become cool in one adventurous night. Superbad was produced and created by Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen of 40-year-old Virgin and Knocked Up fame and was a comic hit, making more than $33 million in its opening weekend. Most recently Cera starred as Paulie Bleeker in indy-comedy Juno, which, along with Superbad, has rocketed him to the top of young Hollywood. At the moment, Michael has a few projects on the go, including films Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Youth in Revolt. The way things are going, you’ll definitely see a lot more of Michael in the next few years.
Did U Know?
- Michael plays guitar in his free time, and according to Ellen Page, his Juno co-star, he's very good at it.
- His father, Luigi, comes from Sicily, Italy and his mother, Linda, comes from Montreal, Quebec.
- Michael has two siblings, an older sister Jordan and a younger sister Molly.
- He auditioned for the role of Cole Sear in The Sixth Sense, which went to Haley Joel Osment.
Michael Says...
“I'm not really trying to make 'great art.'”
