Michael Dean Shelton

An actor, humanitarian, activist and photographer Michael Dean Shelton was born on January 16th, 1977 in Ottawa, Kansas. Adopted by Gale Arthur Shelton, a farmer/businessman and Doris Joan Shelton, a homemaker, Michael's formative years were spent in Wellsville, Kansas, a small, rural community located outside of Kansas City until his graduation from Wellsville High School in 1995. In the fall of 1995, he began his studies at Westmont College located outside of Santa Barbara before earning a degree in both political science and history from Thousand Oak's California Lutheran University in 2000. Michael's accomplishments are both rich in complexity and diversity. As a humanitarian, he traveled the globe championing projects that brought awareness to poverty, food insecurity, inequality, and HIV/AIDS. As an actor, he guest starred on reality TV shows such as PUNK'D, has completed a number of PSA's for nonprofits such as the Alzheimer's Association, and in 2011 inked a deal for a new reality series called Socialite Nation. Michael is also a gifted photographer with images that are featured on photo agencies such as Getty Images and in marketing and promotional materials that capture the love of his home state of Arkansas. The impact of Michael's generosity, his compassion, and steely determination to change the world are highlighted in the awards he has accumulated over his lifetime. In 1997, he was honored by his friend, the late Congressman Walter Capps and the United States Congress. In 2010, Michael Dean was honored by Philippine nonprofit Hope 4 Children with their inaugural Shining Star Philanthropist of the Year Award, in addition to honors from the California State Senate, City of West Hollywood, and numerous others. After the death of his partner in 2012, Michael Dean now divides his time between Los Angeles, California and Little Rock Arkansas.