Michael York

Michael York, OBE (born Michael Hugh Johnson; 27 March 1942) is an English actor. After performing on stage with the Royal National Theatre, he had a breakthrough in films by playing Tybalt in Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. He played leading roles in several major British and Hollywood films, especially in the 1970s.

His most notable roles include Konrad Ludwig in Something for Everyone (1970), Geoffrey Richter-Douglas in Zeppelin (1971), Brian Roberts in Cabaret (1972), George Conway in Lost Horizon (1973), D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers (also 1973) and its two sequels, Count Andrenyi in Murder on the Orient Express (1974), Logan 5 in Logan's Run (1976), and John the Baptist in Jesus of Nazareth (1977). In his later career, York found success as Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers film series (1997–2002).

York received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was also awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) at the 1996 Birthday Honours.

Early life and education Michael Hugh Johnson was born on 27 March 1942 in Fulmer, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, York has an elder sister, Penelope Anne (born 1940) and younger twin sisters, Caroline and Bridget (born 1947); Bridget died a few hours after birth, according to York's autobiography. He was brought up in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.

York was educated at Bromley Grammar School for Boys, Hurstpierpoint College and University College, Oxford. He did some early acting at the community theatre Bromley Little Theatre (and later in 2014 became its president) Fifteen years later, most of the cast (and crew) joined together in a third film titled The Return of the Musketeers based on the Dumas novel Twenty Years After.

1980 to present

Following his early work in the late 1960s and the 1970s, York has had a varied career in film and television and on the stage. He appeared in two episodes in the second season of the Road to Avonlea series as Ezekiel Crane, the lighthouse keeper of Avonlea and foster father of Gus Pike.

York appeared in the 1996 Babylon 5 episode "A Late Delivery from Avalon" as a delusional man who believed himself to be King Arthur. He played President Alexander Bourne of Macaronesia on seaQuest 2032. He played Basil Exposition in all three of the Austin Powers films. York again played King Arthur in a revival of Lerner and Loewe's Camelot, which began its run at the La Mirada Theatre in Southern California, and toured nationally in 2006 and 2007.

York portrays Luke in The Truth & Life Dramatised Audio New Testament Bible, a 22-hour audio dramatisation of the New Testament, which uses the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition translation. In 2008, York took part in the BBC Wales programme Coming Home about his Welsh family history. In September 2013, York played Albany in the Gala Performance of William Shakespeare's King Lear at the Old Vic in London.

Personal life York met photographer Patricia McCallum in 1967 when she was assigned to photograph him, and they married on 27 March 1968, York's 26th birthday. His stepson is Young Indiana Jones and the Star Wars Special Editions producer Rick McCallum.

York was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1977.

Health problems In 2013, York announced he was suffering from amyloidosis. Doctors initially thought he had bone cancer. He underwent a stem cell transplant, which can alleviate symptoms, in 2012.

In 2022, in order to be closer to the Mayo Clinic for treatment, York and his wife moved to Rochester, Minnesota.

Acting credits Film

Television

Theatre

Video games Year Title Voice role Notes1998 Die by the Sword Instructor 1998 Tex Murphy: Overseer J. Saint Gideon