Michael Lee Merrins

Although born in NYC , Michael Lee Merrins was raised in Westwood, California. He is the son of Lisa and Eddie Merrins aka "The Little Pro," legendary golf professional. He was educated at St. Paul's the Apostle School. He attended Loyola High School. Upon graduation, Michael received a Golf Scholarship to LSU. Completing LSU, Michael was accepted to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. There he was able to explore his creative talents and expand his acting abilities. Michael went on to study with Academy Award Winner Geraldine Page and Elaine Aiken of The Actor Studio. The following year, Michael received the "Backstage" Scholarship to the Michael Chekov School. During his time in New York, Michael studied dance at Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. As a working actor, Michael continued to study his craft with Stella Adler, Jeff Corry, and Brian Reese He could also be seen in several off-Broadway plays. For example, Kid Champion, The Silo, also as Stanley Kowalski in " A Streetcar named Desire ". Michael moved off Broadway to his first feature called "Bailjumper" which premiered at the Angelika Film Center. This experience spurred Michael on to pursue future film work. Immediately, his talent led him to land a roll in the classic and standard for all videos "Thriller" as a dancing ghoul:, next to Michael Jackson. Michael was then cast in Die Hard: With A Vengeance - As The Van Driver in the opening scene with Bruce Willis . Dropping Mr . Willis off in Harlem . Michael is the Actually Driver of the Police Van Cast in a small background role in Eraser with Arnold Schwarzenegger Michael appeared in "The Bachelor " with Chris O"Donnell ,as Wall Street Trader ; ironically he also appeared in" Wall Street "with Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen ; in the now infamous "Greed" speech Off to San Francisco, Michael began shooting his role as a prison guard with Kevin Bacon, in "Murder in the First ." "Freeway" a cult classic with Reese Witherspoon and Keifer Southerland brought Michael a significant role. Playing, opposite Ms .Witherspoon, as prison guard Michael is attacked and slashed in half by Reese . His scene ends as is he dying from the "slashing " . He is next Feature was in The Farelly Brothers "Stuck on You." Michael plays the umpire. Following Stuck on you , Michael auditioned and landed a role in "Hollywood Homicide" playing a LAPD officer opposite Harrison Ford in the final scene . Michael's mother, Lisa often jokes, that Michael is cast a Cop, due to the fact his Grandfather was a NYC Police Officer. Currently, Michael can be seem opposite Josh Brolin in Sean Penn's latest feature "The Gangster Squad" to be released in January 2013. Televisions roles have including shows as General Hospital, Murder show wrote, Billionaires Boy club, Angel, Party of Five, and E.R. Michael has appeared in many commercials. He is best-known as the character Dentman for Kelly Tires. Today Michael is working on his own feature script and auditioning for movie and television roles including voice overs. As a accomplished photographer, he runs Michael Lee Merrins Photography. His production company, DoubleDawg Prod; Directed and produced an independent film - based on James Dean. In the middle of Editing, he is now expecting to submit to various the Film Festivals in 2013. Michael Loves travel and frequently takes weekends away to Big Sur, where he Hikes and photographs the area and weddings. He is an avid golfer and sports fan. Michael is known as a car fanatic especially fast and sporty. He is a passionate reader of all genres. Affiliations: SAG -AFTRA , AFI , Supports Wounded Warriors and Friends of Golf.