Michael York

British Actor
Michael York is an acclaimed English actor who rose to fame in the 1970s, starring in films like Romeo and Juliet, Cabaret, and The Three Musketeers. He has also found success in later years, appearing in the Austin Powers movie series. York has received numerous accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

About Michael York

Michael York OBE (born Michael Hugh Johnson; 27 March 1942) is an English film, television, and stage 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 (1968). His blond, blue-eyed boyish looks and English upper class demeanour saw him play leading roles in several major British and Hollywood films of the 1970s. His best known 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), and Logan 5 in Logan’s Run (1976).

In his later career he found success as Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers film series (1997-2002). He is a two-time Emmy Award nominee, for the ABC Afterschool Special: Are You My Mother? (1986) and the AMC series The Lot (2001).

In 2002, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures.

Get to know Michael York better

Frequently asked questions about Michael York

Michael York’s breakthrough role in films was playing Tybalt in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.

Some of Michael York’s best-known roles in the 1970s include Konrad Ludwig in Something for Everyone, Geoffrey Richter-Douglas in Zeppelin, Brian Roberts in Cabaret, George Conway in Lost Horizon, and D’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers and its sequels.

Michael York has been nominated for two Emmy Awards – one for the ABC Afterschool Special: Are You My Mother? in 1986 and another for the AMC series The Lot in 2001.

In 2002, Michael York received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures.

Before becoming an actor, Michael York’s real name was Michael Hugh Johnson.

In the Austin Powers film series, Michael York played the role of Basil Exposition.

Michael York has received numerous accolades, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures.

Quotes by Michael York

Every role I’ve played, that could’ve happened. It’s nice, it happens, but it is rather disconcerting when a young child comes up to at the airport and starts doing your lines, it happens.

Michael York

I had been in a film, playing a young British aristocrat. My wife told me that she was invited to a dinner and she invited me to dinner and the hostess had seen me and said, ‘You cannot bring him.’ but I think that I’ve done enough to shatter the image.

Michael York

I happen to love working in cinema, but the theater is always there… you know, and I would never shut the door on it. Even though it’s been quite a bit of time since I’ve done a play, last one was in New York.

Michael York

I think it’s hard to know. Feeling fulfilled, because actors face periods of unemployment, there is nothing worse than being at the top of your game; you have so much to give but do not have the platform to do this.

Michael York

I think that you have to believe in your destiny; that you will succeed, you will meet a lot of rejection and it is not always a straight path, there will be detours – so enjoy the view.

Michael York

It’s a question of why they come for your advice. Whatever I tell you, it doesn’t matter, it is completely irrelevant in a way. I know so many actors who were discouraged and put that aside. You will get half-baked opinions.

Michael York

I’ve always enjoyed writing, I graduated with a degree in English; I’ve done bits of journalism.

Michael York

Mike gets to play four roles this time, if we ever did it again, he will play my role as well. He is a comic genius, everyone wants to be in this movie, let’s hope that everyone will wish to see it as well.

Michael York

No one has developed active tuberculosis.

Michael York

So that is how I ended up with those two titles, I like Accidentally on Purpose better – it is how we work in our trade – is it really an accident, or is there a thread of destiny in there? That was the intention, I am not sure I found out.

Michael York

The great thing about university is that they incline you to get up and do it, from the Classics to modern plays, to the humor that Monty Pythons made popular.

Michael York

They sent me the script and I thought that there was something very appealing and funny about it. Also, I was familiar with Mike Myers’ work in Saturday Night Live, but I did not know the extent to which he would make this creation.

Michael York