Michael Tucker's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) L.A. Law Stuart Mark… Chicken Soup for the Soul Himself - H…

Main Movie Roles 2009 - Cold Souls 1994 - D2: The Mighty Ducks 1993 - For Love or Money 1987 - Radio Days 1987 - Tin Men 1985 - The Purple Rose of Cairo 1982 - Diner 1978 - Eyes of Laura Mars 1976 - Network

BIOGRAPHY:

Baltimore-born actor Michael Tucker developed interest in performing as a teen when he made a chorus appearance as a "Lost Boy" in an amateur theater presentation of "Peter Pan". Following high school, he studied drama at Carnegie Tech., then found work in stock shows and in such repertory companies as the Long Wharf Theater and Washington's Arena Stage. On the sly he earned a side income as a college acting coach. Married at this time, his wife bore him a daughter in 1969. Alison Tucker would later go on to become an actress herself. Michael later hooked up with Jill Eikenberry at the Arena Stage and went on to appear in the play "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail (1970). Jill, who stood a few inches taller, married the 5'4-1/2" Michael in 1973. Together they have a son, Max Tucker.

Unhampered by his short stature and slightly gnomish features, Michael found work in character parts, making great strides on stage in such productions as "Moonchildren" (with Jill in 1972). He also worked in tandem with Joseph Papp in such classics as "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "The Comedy of Errors" and "Measure for Measure." He finally debuted on Broadway in a 1976 revival of "Trelawny of the Wells" with Meryl Streep and John Lithgow (I). Two years later he entered the realm of film and TV. Minor parts in Final Chapter: Walking Tall (1977) and Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) led to a breakthrough featured role in the critically-acclaimed movie Diner (1982). Woody Allen took advantage of his talents and featured him in both The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) and Radio Days (1987). 1986 proved a big year when both he and Jill were cast as Stuart Markowitz and Ann Kelsey in the long-running law series "L.A. Law" (1986), which ran for eight seasons. Nominated for three Emmy awards (Jill was nominated five times; neither won), their characters also married on the show.

Both he and Jill had always maintained a sound working relationship together and decided to capitalize on their sudden fame by finding mini-movie vehicles together. These included Assault and Matrimony (1987) (TV), The Secret Life of Archie's Wife (1990) (TV), A Town Torn Apart (1992) (TV) and Gone in a Heartbeat (1996) (TV). Elsewhere, Michael has received praise for roles in such TV projects as Vampire (1979) (TV) and Day One (1989) (TV). They also have appeared together in readings of "Love Letters." More recently he and Jill, married now for over 30 years, enjoyed a reunion with the original cast members of their successful series in a 2002 TV-movie.


TRIVIA:

• Father of 'Alison Tucker' (qv)
• Does Yoga and Tai Chi
• While on vacation in Italy, they happened upon a small cottage. It was love at first sight and they bought the cottage on the spot.
• Son, 'Max Tucker' (qv), was born in 1982.
• Together with Eikenberry, the couple is affectionately known as "The Tuckerberries."
• Often appears in movies and TV series with his wife
• Jill, a breast cancer survivor, and Michael travel around the country and speak to breast cancer groups about 15 times a year. Michael received the Good Guys Award from the National Women's Political Caucus in recognition of his efforts on behalf of numerous causes affecting women.
• Graduated from Carnegie Mellon University