Michael Cuccione

Michael James Cuccione (January 5, 1985 – January 13, 2001) was a Canadian actor, singer, dancer, author, and cancer research activist. He was best known for his role as "Jason 'Q.T.' McKnight" in the fictional boy band 2gether, part of a self-titled MTV movie and spin-off television series.

Biography Personal life Cuccione was born to Dominic and Gloria Cuccione in Burnaby, British Columbia, and raised in neighbouring Coquitlam. He had a sister, Sophia, and brother, Steven.

Entertainment career In July 1997, a request Cuccione made to meet Baywatch star David Hasselhoff led to an acting role in an episode based on real-life cancer patient Charlie Everett Hays.

The producers of 2gether had already agreed to shoot the TV movie (and later the eponymous TV series) in Vancouver when they discovered Cuccione and cast him in the part of Jason "QT" McKnight. Both soundtracks were hits, with the latter reaching #26 on the Billboard Top 100. He also co-authored a book with his grandmother titled, There are Survivors: The Michael Cuccione Story about his experiences battling cancer; his effort eventually raised C$500,000, which was donated to the British Columbia Children's Hospital. and both of Cuccione's parents have received the Order of British Columbia, the province's highest form of recognition, for their work with the foundation.

Death As the second season of 2gether started taping, Cuccione soon began suffering breathing problems from complications from his earlier cancer treatments and required an oxygen tank on-set. a giant poster of Cuccione with a teddy bear, and a massive set of wreaths and flowers. During the Thursday services, a procession of limousines, cars, and firetrucks accompanied Cuccione's casket through the streets of Metro Vancouver.

2gether split up following Cuccione's death. Actor Kevin Farley stated “That was a big blow to everything. Everybody was so sad that it was hard (to continue) after that,” while series Creator and Executive Producer Mark Gunn noted “We all felt like, the season was over, and it was a perfect time to sort of all move on and do other things.”

Filmography Baywatch (1997) as Charlie Giminski You, Me and the Kids (1998-2001) 2gether (February 2000) as Jason "QT" McKnight

Discography Make a Difference 2gether (soundtrack) 2gether: Again (soundtrack) Messages from Above