Michael Murphy (actor)

Michael George Murphy (born May 5, 1938) is an American film, television and stage actor. He often plays unethical or morally ambiguous characters in positions of authority, including politicians, executives, and lawyers. He is also known for his frequent collaborations with director Robert Altman, having appeared in twelve films, TV series and miniseries directed by Altman from 1963 to 2004, including the title role in the miniseries ''Tanner '88''. He had roles in the films ''Manhattan'', '' An Unmarried Woman'', ''Nashville'', '' The Year of Living Dangerously'', '' Phase IV'', '' The Front'', '' Shocker'', ''Magnolia'', ''M*A*S*H'' and '' Batman Returns'', among others.

Early life

Murphy was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Georgia Arlyn (née Money), a teacher, and Bearl Branton Murphy, a salesman. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Murphy attended the University of Arizona and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

He taught English and drama at University High School (Los Angeles) before pursuing an acting career.

Career

Murphy is best known for his performances as Jill Clayburgh's adulterous husband Martin in Paul Mazursky's '' An Unmarried Woman'' (1978), as Woody Allen's morally ambiguous best friend Yale in ''Manhattan'' (1979), as ethically enigmatic lawyer Alan Kligman in ''Magnolia'' (1999), and as the star of Garry Trudeau and Robert Altman's HBO miniseries ''Tanner '88''.

Murphy worked frequently with Altman, including as Captain Ezekiel Bradbury "Me Lay" Marston, IV, in ''M*A*S*H'' (1970), as Frank Shaft in '' Brewster McCloud'' (1970), as John Triplette in ''Nashville'' (1975), and as the title character in ''Tanner '88'' (a role he reprised in the 2004 miniseries '' Tanner on Tanner''). Other Altman films and television series in which Murphy appeared include the World War II TV series '' Combat!'' (in which Murphy appeared in 1963, on the show's second of its five seasons), ''Countdown'' (1968), '' That Cold Day in the Park'' (1969), '' McCabe & Mrs. Miller'' (1971), ''The Caine Mutiny Court Martial'' (1988) and ''Kansas City'' (1996).

Other notable film roles include '' The Year of Living Dangerously'' (1982), ''Salvador'' (1986), '' Silver City'' (2004), and '' According to Greta'' (2009). His television roles include guest appearances on ''Law & Order'', '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent'', '' L.A. Law'' and ''Judging Amy''.

Murphy has also narrated many episodes of the PBS historical documentary series '' The American Experience'' and the public television travel series '' Weekends with Yankee''. He appeared in Canadian film and television, including '' This Is Wonderland'', for which he won two Gemini Awards, in 2004 and 2005, and was nominated for a third, in 2006. He also appeared in the 2004 Canadian film ''Childstar''.

Personal life

Murphy was married to Canadian actress Wendy Crewson from 1988 until their divorce in January 2009. They have two children, Maggie (born 1989) and John (born 1992).

Murphy currently resides in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Selected filmography

* '' Double Trouble'' (1967) as Morley
* ''Countdown'' (1968) as Rick
* '' The Legend of Lylah Clare'' (1968) as Mark Peter Sheean
* '' That Cold Day in the Park'' (1969) as The Rounder
* '' The Arrangement'' (1969) as Father Draddy
* ''M*A*S*H'' (1970) as 'Me Lay' Marston
* ''The Lawyer'' (1970) as Intern in Legal Office (uncredited)
* '' Count Yorga, Vampire'' (1970) as Paul
* '' Brewster McCloud'' (1970) as Det. Lt. Frank Shaft
* '' McCabe & Mrs. Miller'' (1971) as Sears
* '' What's Up, Doc?'' (1972) as Mr. Smith
* ''The Thief Who Came to Dinner'' (1973) as Ted
* ''The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman'' (1974) as Quentin Lerner
* ''I Love You... Good-bye'' (1974) as Alec Shield
* '' Phase IV'' (1974) as James R. Lesko
* ''Nashville'' (1975) as John Triplette
* '' The Front'' (1976) as Alfred Miller
* '' An Unmarried Woman'' (1978) as Martin Benton
* '' The Great Bank Hoax'' (1978) as Reverend Manigma
* '' The Class of Miss MacMichael'' (1978) as Martin
* ''Manhattan'' (1979) as Yale
* '' Strange Behavior'' (1981) as John Brady
* '' The Year of Living Dangerously'' (1982) as Pete Curtis
* ''Hot Money'' (1983) as Burt / Tom
* '' Talk to Me'' (1984) as Ross
* '' Cloak & Dagger'' (1984) as Rice
* ''My Letter to George'' (1985) as Wilson
* ''Salvador'' (1986) as Ambassador Thomas Kelly
* ''The Caine Mutiny Court Martial'' (1988) as Captain Blakely
* '' Shocker'' (1989) as Lt. Don Parker
* ''Folks!'' (1992) as Ed
* '' Batman Returns'' (1992) as The Mayor
* '' Clean Slate'' (1994) as Dr. Doover
* ''Bad Company'' (1995) as William V. 'Smitty' Smithfield (uncredited)
* ''Kansas City'' (1996) as Henry Stilton
* ''The Ultimate Lie'' (1996) as Malcolm McGrath
* '' Private Parts'' (1997) as Roger Erlick
* ''The Island'' (1998) as John F. Kennedy
* '' Sleeping Dogs Lie'' (1998) as Edgar Tratt
* ''Magnolia'' (1999) as Alan Kligman Esq.
* ''The Art of War'' (2000) as Politician (uncredited)
* ''Tart'' (2001) as Mike Storm
* '' Footsteps'' (2003) as Robbie
* ''Tricks'' (2004) as Arthur
* '' Silver City'' (2004) as Senator Judson Pilager
* ''Childstar'' (2004) as Reed Harrison
* ''Heights'' (2005) as Jesse
* '' X-Men: The Last Stand'' (2006) as Warren Worthington II
* ''Away From Her'' (2006) as Aubrey
* ''The Trotsky'' (2009) as Frank McGovern
* '' According to Greta'' (2009) as Joseph
* ''White House Down'' (2013) as Vice President Hammond
* ''They Came Together'' (2014) as Roger
* '' Fall'' (2014) as Father Sam
* ''Indian Horse'' (2017) as Father Quinney
* ''Two Plains & a Fancy'' (2018) as Rancher

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Murphy, Michael
1938 births
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors
American male film actors
American male television actors
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Canadian Screen Award winners
Living people
Male actors from Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles alumni
United States Marines
University of Arizona alumni
People from Cape Elizabeth, Maine