Biography
Date of Birth
25 December 1987, Los Angeles, California, USA
Nickname
Mike
Height
5' 9½" (1.77 m)
Mini Biography
Michael Welch is a veteran actor of nearly 25 years with over 100 film and television credits to his name. He has received tremendous praise throughout his career by fans, critics and industry insiders alike for the depth and diversity of his work. Michael continues to build his career, as he always has a new project on the horizon.
Welch is best known for his role as the popular Mike Newton in the Twilight Film Series, a franchise that grossed $3.3 billion worldwide. More recently, he appeared as a series regular on Z Nation, Syfy's hit original zombie series that ran for five seasons. Michael was also a regular as Luke Girardi in the beloved, Emmy-nominated CBS show, Joan of Arcadia, for which he received his second Young Artist Award. His first feature film experience was as Artim in Star Trek: Insurrection, the ninth installment of the iconic franchise.
In 2019, Michael appeared in Shonda Rhimes's ABC drama, Station 19. His film releases included Blood Craft, A Killer Walks Amongst Us and two Lifetime Originals, Who's Stalking Me? and Erasing His Dark Past. In January of 2019, Michael starred in The Final Wish opposite horror legends Lin Shaye and Tony Todd. The film was released theatrically, nationwide, and his performance enjoyed excellent reviews from critics across the board. His 2020 releases will include Soldier's Heart, The Gift, A Christmas Hero, The Grounds and the award winning short, Heatstroke.
Welch is passionate about the issue of clean water and is heavily involved with The Thirst Project, a youth oriented non-profit that builds fresh-water wells in developing communities. He's married to set dresser, Samantha Welch, and they have a beautiful baby girl, Parker Ann.
Michael is represented by KRM and Curtis Talent Management.
Trivia
Played a younger version of Colonel Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) in the Stargate SG-1 (1997) episode, 'Fragile Balance.' His Joan of Arcadia (2003) co-star Mary Steenburgen has been mentioned several times on that series as being O'Neill's heartthrob.
Part of what got him into acting was his flexible ability to accurately emulate other roles and dialects.
Comments that after shooting the entire first season of Joan of Arcadia (2003), he was recognized just as equally from a single episode of Stargate SG-1 (1997).
Michael got engaged to Samantha at the Thirst Project Gala, 2015. Sarah, Michael's older sister, works as an outreach director as an Optometrist. She is married to Paul and they have a son. Michael also enjoys a close extended family.
As his eyes are blue in real-life, he had to wear contact lenses when playing the younger version of Colonel Jack O'Neill in the Stargate SG-1 (1997) episode "Fragile Balance" as Richard Dean Anderson (who plays the usual version of the character) has brown eyes.
Has worked with two actors who appeared in versions of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers": Richard Dean Anderson (who he appeared with in the Stargate SG-1 (1997) episode "Fragile Balance") played Adam McFadden in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982), Russ Tamblyn (who he appeared with in the Joan of Arcadia (2003) episodes "Night without Stars", "Do the Math" and "Friday Night") played Gideon Pontipee in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).
Is close friends with his Joan of Arcadia (2003) co-star Christopher Rodriguez Marquette and Aaron Himelstein who played the recurring character Friedman on that series.
He appeared in episodes of two different series which aired consecutively on Fox on January 21, 2001: Malcolm in the Middle: New Neighbors (2001) and The X-Files: Badlaa (2001).
The actresses who played his girlfriends, Mageina Tovah and Becky Wahlstrom, in Joan of Arcadia (2003) were eight and twelve years older than him respectively even though they were all supposed to be much the same age.
Got his first car, a Toyota Prius, in October 2004.
Has two nephews named Paul and Sammy and 2 nieces named Sarah and Sophie.
Andrew Dorsett, the Young Frasier to his Young Niles in Frasier (1993) episode "Where Every Bloke Knows Your Name," plays in a band with one of Welch's friends who is also one of his former drum instructors.
Has worked with two different actors who were born on January 23, 1950: Richard Dean Anderson in the Stargate SG-1 (1997) episode "Fragile Balance" and Richard Gilliland in the Joan of Arcadia (2003) episodes "Death Be Not Whatever" and "The Devil Made Me Do It".
In July 2010, Michael was invited to Germany, by the USO to be the celebrity guest for their first USO educational tour. He worked with over 600 students and spent time with wounded soldiers.
His mother is of Russian Jewish descent.
Guest starred with Joan of Arcadia co-star Christopher Marquette in Criminal Minds' episode "JJ" (2010). Joan's dad, Joe Mantegna, is a regular cast member of Criminal Minds.
Quotes
(Regarding his performance as Luke on "Joan of Arcadia") I don't feel that I'm playing it like a nerd. I've never liked to play stereotypes.
[You have to] put your own ego aside and do what's right for the role. I've always been willing to do that. I really don't care what I look like as long as it fits with the thing I'm working on.
I always thought it'd be fun to go to a sci-fi convention, watch a bunch of Klingons walking around, all of that kind of stuff.
[on being raised by a Protestant father and a Jewish mother] I have a cool family... We are not strict about things.
Just don't forget to be alive while you're living, that's all I'm saying. :)
