Michael Shannon

Date of Birth: August 7, 1974

Michael Shannon began his career as a stage actor in Chicago, where he helped found A Red Orchid Theatre. He has since worked with Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Northlight Theatre, and other groups. Shannon originated the role of Peter Evans in Bug in 2004 and starred in the 2007 film adaptation with Ashley Judd and Harry Connick Jr., directed by William Friedkin. He has also played roles in the stage productions Killer Joe and Man From Nebraska written by Steppenwolf ensemble member Tracy Letts.

Shannon made his film debut with a small role in Groundhog Day (1993) as a wedding groom. Later, he graduated to roles in Pearl Harbor (2001), Vanilla Sky (2001) and 8 Mile (2002). He played the villain in Kangaroo Jack (2003). Shannon scored a major role in Grand Theft Parsons (2003) as the hippie, Larry Oster-burg. In 2006, he played the leader of a prison white supremist group, Lynard, in Let’s go to Prison. Other roles include reprising his role as Peter Evans in Bug (2006) and playing Ray Zumbro in Lucky You (2007).

The actor received his first Academy Award nomination after putting in a solid performance in the drama Revolutionary Road (2008), opposite Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. In 2010, he took part in the major motion picture Jonah Hex, opposite Josh Brolin.

In 2008, Shannon was featured in the off-Broadway production of Stephen Adly Guirgis‘s The Little Flower of East Orange, presented by LAByrinth Theater Company and The Public Theater, directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and also featuring Ellen Burstyn. Since then, he has continued to take on roles in feature films, one of his most recent being alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Premium Rush (2012). He also has a recurring role as Agent Nelson Van Alden on the hit HBO series Boardwalk Empire.

Shannon is married to Steppenwolf ensemble member Kate Arrington, with whom he has a daughter.