History Creator / MichaelShannon

Born in Kentucky to a single mother, he got his first work as an actor on the Chicago stage, at various times working for such theatre companies as Steppenwolf, The Next Lab and the Red Orchid Theatre. He eventually started to get small parts in Hollywood movies, too, notably the Creator/JerryBruckheimer-produced films ''Film/BadBoysII'', ''Film/PearlHarbor'', and ''Film/KangarooJack''. This visibility (along with his UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nomination for ''Film/RevolutionaryRoad'') has led to him recieving larger and more acclaimed roles in (mostly independent) films, such as ''Film/{{Bug}}'', ''Film/TheRunaways'', ''Film/BeforeTheDevilKnowsYoureDead'', ''Film/BadLieutenantPortOfCallNewOrleans'', ''Shotgun Stories''. He also works quite regularly on stage, having performed in many works by Creator/TracyLetts in Chicago and New York as well as receiving a Tony nomination for his role in a revival of ''Theatre/LongDaysJourneyIntoNight''.

Born in Kentucky to a single mother, he got his first work as an actor on the Chicago stage, at various times working for such theatre companies as Steppenwolf, The Next Lab and the Red Orchid Theatre. He eventually started to get small parts in Hollywood movies, too, notably the Creator/JerryBruckheimer-produced films ''Film/BadBoysII'', ''Film/PearlHarbor'', and ''Film/KangarooJack''. This visibility (along with his UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nomination for ''Film/RevolutionaryRoad'') has led to him recieving larger and more acclaimed roles in (mostly independent) films, such as ''Film/{{Bug}}'', ''Film/TheRunaways'', ''Film/BeforeTheDevilKnowsYoureDead'', ''Film/BadLieutenantPortOfCallNewOrleans'', ''Shotgun Stories''. He also works quite regularly on stage, having performed in many works by Creator/TracyLetts in Chicago and New York as well as receiving a Tony nomination for his role in a recent revival of Theatre/LongDaysJourneyIntoNight.

* ProductionPosse: Often works with director Creator/JeffNichols and actors Shea Whigham and Paul Sparks.

* ''Film/{{Amsterdam}}'' (2022)

* ''Series/TheLittleDrummerGirl'' (2018)

* ''Series/GeorgeAndTammy'' (2022)

* ''Film/EricLaRue'' (directing only) (2023)

* PlayingGertrude: in ''Film/EightMile'', he plays the boyfriend of Music/{{Eminem}}'s character's mother while, in real life, being 21 years younger than his onscreen girlfriend (Creator/KimBasinger) and ''2 years younger than Eminem''. However it's mentioned that his character and Eminem's went to school together, meaning they're the same age.

Despite the large number of villainous roles to his name, Shannon is very much known to be a nice guy who loves his daughters and has a great sense of humor.

* SelfDeprecation: He's completely aware of how TypeCast he is as crazy types, and isn't afraid to have fun with that, such as in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3pLHDPxfK0&ab_channel=MTV this video where he talks about adorable things]] or [[http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/4ad20b4edf/michael-shannon-reads-the-insane-sorority-letter this Funny or Die video]] where he reads Rebecca Martinson's [[WebOriginal/DerangedSororityGirl insane sorority letter]].

Despite the large number of villainous roles to his name, Shannon is very much known to be a nice guy who loves his daughter and has a great sense of humor.

* ''Film/EricLarue'' (directing only) (2023)

** He [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zlXbaAheo8 once covered]] Music/{{Suicide}}'s "Ghost Rider" with Music/YoLaTengo, and launched into a [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext hammy, improvised monologue about Ghost Rider's childhood.]]

** He [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zlXbaAheo8 once covered]] [[Music/{{Suicide}} "Ghost Rider"]] with Music/YoLaTengo, and launched into a [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext hammy, improvised monologue about Ghost Rider's childhood.]]

* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse

* ''Film/99Homes'' (2014)

* ''Film/NinetyNineHomes'' (2014)

** ''Film/{{The Flash|2022}}'' (2022)

* FunnyCharacterBoringActor: Inverted. He's knowing for playing very serious, humorless characters but is known in real life to be much more laid-back, friendly and has a very good sense of humor.

* ''Film/ManOfSteel'' (2013)

* PlayingGertrude: in ''Film/EightMile'', he plays the boyfriend of Music/{{Eminem}}'s character's mother while, in real life, being 21 years younger than his onscreen girlfriend (Creator/KimBasinger) and ''2 years younger than Eminem''.

Michael Corbett Shannon (born August 7, 1974 in Lexington, Kentucky) is an American stage, film, and television actor. His best known performances are as John Givings in ''Film/RevolutionaryRoad'', prohibition agent Nelson Van Alden in ''Series/BoardwalkEmpire'', Curtis [=LaForche=] in ''Film/TakeShelter'', and General Zod in ''Film/ManOfSteel''.

He is best known for his virtuoso ability to play repressed, unstable, and otherwise crazed characters. He has also been compared to Creator/WillemDafoe in terms of roles and Creator/ChristopherWalken for his ability to [[OneSceneWonder completely steal a movie simply by showing up.]]

Born in Kentucky to a single mother, he got his first work as an actor on the Chicago stage, at various times working for such theatre companies as Steppenwolf, The Next Lab and the Red Orchid Theatre. He eventually started to get small parts in Hollywood movies, too, notably the Creator/JerryBruckheimer-produced films ''Film/BadBoysII'', ''Film/PearlHarbor'', and ''Film/KangarooJack''. This visibility (along with his UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nomination for ''Film/RevolutionaryRoad'') has led to him recieving larger and more acclaimed roles in (mostly independent) films, such as ''Film/{{Bug}}'', ''Film/TheRunaways'', ''Film/BeforeTheDevilKnowsYoureDead'', ''Film/BadLieutenantPortOfCallNewOrleans'', ''Shotgun Stories''. He also works quite regularly on stage, having performed in many works by Tracy Letts in Chicago and New York as well as receiving a Tony nomination for his role in a recent revival of Theatre/LongDaysJourneyIntoNight.

* SelfDeprecation: He's completely aware of how TypeCast he is as crazy types, and isn't afraid to have fun with that, such as in [[http://www.mtv.com/videos/movies/721586/adorable-things-with-michael-shannon.jhtml this video where he talks about adorable things]] or [[http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/4ad20b4edf/michael-shannon-reads-the-insane-sorority-letter this Funny or Die video]] where he reads Rebecca Martinson's [[WebOriginal/DerangedSororityGirl insane sorority letter]].