Michael Rooker is an American actor recognized primarily for his portrayals of antagonistic characters. He gained significant attention for his performance in the lead role of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986).
He is most renowned for his role as Merle Dixon in the AMC series The Walking Dead (2010–2013) as well as for his portrayal of Yondu Udonta in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
Early Life & Education
Michael Rooker was born on April 6, 1955, in Jasper, Alabama. He grew up with nine siblings and moved to Chicago with his mother and all of his brothers and sisters following his parents’ divorce when he was 13 years old. After completing high school in Chicago, Michael enrolled at the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University.
Michael Rooker’s Career
Michael Rooker made his debut with a leading role in “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.” This film significantly raised his profile and received critical acclaim.
Following this, Rooker featured in films such as “Eight Men Out,” “Mississippi Burning,” and “JFK.” These serious roles demonstrated his versatility as an actor
However, he achieved greater success in numerous action and thriller films. Notable titles in this genre include “Sea of Love,” “Days of Thunder,” “Cliffhanger,” and “Tombstone.”
Michael Rooker‘s other significant films include “Mallrats,” “Rosewood,” “The 6th Day,” “Slither,” “Jumper,” “Super,” and “Hypothermia.” These films were released from the 1990s to the 2010s.
In the 2000s and later, Rooker continued to find success with “The Walking Dead,” where he portrayed Merle Dixon in the widely popular AMC series. He became a regular cast member by the third season.
As a voice actor, Rooker has become a staple in video games such as “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2,” and “The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct.”
In 2014, his career experienced a significant advancement when he secured the role of Yondu in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The film turned out to be an unexpected success, earning $772.8 million.
Rooker subsequently reprised his role in the 2017 sequel, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” which garnered $863.8 million. In 2021, Michael featured in the action movie “F9.”
Personal Life
Michael Rooker and his wife, Margot, live in California. They have been married since 1979 and have two daughters together. He engages in the practice of Kyokushin karate.
Net Worth
Michael Rooker is an American actor with a net worth estimated at $4 million. While Rooker initially rose to fame in the 1980s through performances in films such as “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” and “Eight Men Out,” he is most widely recognized today for his portrayal of Yondu Udonta in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” series.
