- Born
- Nickname
- Mike
- Height5′ 11″ (1.80 m)
- Michael Thomas Gruber was born on November 1, 1964 to loving parents, two sisters, and a brother. He was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where he grew up wanting to be a springboard and platform diver. Throughout his school years, Michael had a love for not only diving, but acting as he was constantly surrounded by acting and music. He was in various school plays such as Hello, Dolly! and Pippin and he was also in the choir.
In 1982, Michael graduated high school and was off to college, specifically the University of Michigan, on an athletic scholarship for diving. As an NCAA All-American diver, Michael was heading for the Olympics to pursue his dream. In 1984, Michael didn't make the cut for the Olympics and contemplated what he really wanted to do with his career. Rather than continuing his training for another 4 years, he decided to focus more time on acting, which Michael realized his true passion. He then transferred to the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music to complete his junior and senior years of college.
From college on, Michael has pursued acting, singing, and dancing on stage with much critical acclaim. While his only film or video appearance has been the Commemorative Edition of Cats, Michael has been well received in several stage roles such as Munkustrap in Cats (Broadway), the Tin Man in Wizard of OZ, Don Lockwood in Singin' in the Rain, Riff in West Side Story, Cousin Kevin in Tommy, Judd Fry in Oklahoma!, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Billy Crocker in Anything Goes, Mike in the final company of a Chorus Line (Broadway), and part of the Ensemble in Swing! for which he was nominated for a FANY Award (Best Individual Performance).
- IMDb mini biography by: nimowae_17
- SpouseTony, Vierling(2013 - present)
- Considers the Cats video to be the signature of his career.
- As a teenager, Michael Gruber was a professional diver. When Michael was only 14, he was ranked second in the world.
- Attended the University of Michigan on an athletic scholarship. When he didn't make the Olympic trials to compete for diving, he decided to devote his time to music. He then transferred to the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati.
- While filming the Cats video in London, he had dinner with Andrew Lloyd Weber and Sarah Brightman who encouraged him to keep writing.
- Has two older sisters and one older brother. He is the only member of his family who is an actor and singer.
- It was my first New York audition. I'm not a dynamic auditioner. In fact, it was how I got my agent. They almost didn't hire me because they thought I didn't sing well enough. I can say that Gillian Lynne(Associate Director and Choreographer) told me that of all the people she worked with, Steve Barton and I were the best Munkustraps. I do feel that I did master that role. As difficult as that show was, it was a great experience.
- There is a lot of joy going out on the stage. I want to remain open-mined instead of being angry or frustrated....It is always about the work. That is where the joy comes from. If I can keep that straight, I will have good experiences.
- I also love the immediate gratification I get from a live audience. For me, the best thing about what I do is being able to make people feel good and maybe go away with some sort of message.
- Every actor wants to be in the hot new thing, and it's easy to get into that toxic mindset of `What's this doing for my career? Who cares about this show that's been open for 15 years?' I take a breath and remind myself that I have a great job. I've grown as an artist doing Cats, and that's all that matters.
- I'm now trying to let go of controlling my life and where it goes. I want to allow my life to flow in a way that surprises me.
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