Mike Myers

Michael John Myers is a multi-talented Canadian-American performer. He works as an actor, comedian, filmmaker, musician, and singer.

Myers is widely recognized for his ability to create unique characters. He uses funny voices and memorable catchphrases to entertain audiences. His work has earned him many prestigious honors. These include a Primetime Emmy Award for writing. He also holds a Screen Actors Guild Award and seven MTV Movie & TV Awards. In 2002, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2017, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. This honor recognized his extensive comedic work as an actor, writer, and producer.

Myers began his career in front of the camera at a very young age. He started performing in commercials when he was only two years old. At age ten, he appeared in a commercial for British Columbia Hydro. In that advertisement, actress Gilda Radner played his mother. By age twelve, he made a guest appearance on the television series King of Kensington. At sixteen, he had a small role in the show The Littlest Hobo. After graduating from high school in 1982, he joined The Second City Canadian touring company. This training helped him prepare for a professional career in comedy. He eventually moved to the United Kingdom to join an improvisational group called The Comedy Store Players in 1985.

His rise to major fame occurred on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. He joined the cast on January 21, 1989. He remained a regular cast member for six seasons until 1995. During this time, he became a major draw for the show. He was known for creating oddball characters that viewers loved. Some of his most famous sketches included "Wayne's World" and "Sprockets." He also played characters such as Lothar of the Hill People and Simon. Simon was a young British boy who complained about having "prune hands." Myers's talent for writing also earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.

After his time on sketch comedy, Myers moved into major motion pictures. He adapted his "Wayne's World" sketches into a feature film in 1992. This movie was one of the most successful films of that year. He followed this with a sequel in 1993. Myers also became famous for the Austin Powers film franchise. In these movies, he performed multiple roles. He played the title character, Austin Powers, as well as the villain Dr. Evil. He also played the character Fat Bastard and the villain Goldmember. These films allowed him to show his range by playing both heroes and villains.

One of his most significant roles is providing the voice for Shrek. He took over this role in the 2001 animated film. This happened after the original planned actor, Chris Farley, passed away in 1997. The Shrek franchise became a massive global success. It is the second highest-grossing animated film franchise in history. Myers has voiced the character in several sequels and television specials. He is also scheduled to return as the voice of Shrek in a new film in 2027. This role demonstrates his success in voice acting and animation.

Beyond acting, Myers has explored directing and music. He made his directorial debut with the documentary Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon in 2013. This film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. He is also a member of a band called Ming Tea. He performs alongside musicians Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet. The band performed songs for the Austin Powers films.

Myers was born on May 25, 1963, in Scarborough, Ontario. His parents, Alice and Eric Myers, were British immigrants from Liverpool. His mother served in the Women's Royal Air Force during World War II. His father served in the Royal Engineers. These family connections to the United Kingdom remain a part of his background.

Myers's life outside of work includes many personal interests. He is an avid player of Dungeons & Dragons. He has also participated in a Worldwide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day. He is a dedicated fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs ice hockey team. He even named characters in his films after former players Doug Gilmour and Nikolai Borschevsky. He also supports the Liverpool FC football team. In his personal life, he resides in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. He lives there with his wife, Kelly Tisdale, and their three children.