Television fans will know Michael Fishman best for his breakthrough role in the TV show Roseanne, which producers later re-launched as the spinoff entitled The Conners. But for the actor, director, producer, and writer, reprising his role as D.J. Conner is only the beginning of what he hopes to be another forty great years in the world of film and entertainment.
The Los Angeles County-based artist has had a highly notable career in film. His first break came in 1988 after he met Roseanne Barr in an early audition and impressed her instantly. Since then, he spent twenty years building up his portfolio while appearing as a regular on Roseanne and putting together a 218-episode run with the show. Michael also appeared on many other television shows, including The Jackie Thomas Show, Hey Arnold!, Seinfeld, Hitz, Walker, Texas Ranger, and many others. He also played roles in movies like Little Bigfoot 2, AI: Artificial Intelligence, and Undrafted.
On top of his acting work, he’s completed some notable directing work as well. As a film director and leader, he takes on a clear vision of a project and effectively communicates it with actors and the crew; Earlier this year, he even directed the big Halloween episode of The Conners for ABC! And aside from directing, Michael is also a prolific writer who loves to create heartfelt stories from his deep passion for people, history, and technology.
But let’s rewind a bit: Michael Fishman’s journey into acting started at an early age. At five years old, he would observe his sister as she auditioned for acting roles. He fell in love with acting and decided that he wanted to pursue the same career path. “The truth is, I have loved acting and this business my entire life,” shares Michael openly. “It is the passion to tell visceral meaningful stories, connecting with audiences, and inspiring emotional connections that motivated me to build my way back into the entertainment industry. I study it daily from all sides.”
Growing up, the actor would train rigorously, developing his craft via small theaters, improv studios, and open mics. He would do shows for free and build projects from the ground up until he had kids. Michael would work multiple jobs and give every aspect of his career the best he possibly could, energized by the love of film and the opportunities he embraced regularly.
As an actor, Michael Fishman specializes in bringing complex mixed emotions to the screen. He can play intense and vulnerable roles and connect easily with an audience. He’s also athletic, which paradoxically also brings a strong projected character about him when needed on set. Overall, Michael has grown into an all-around talented artist with the talent and experience required to create moments that stick in viewers’ hearts and minds all over.
But to say that Michael Fishman is ready to fade into the sunset wouldn’t be accurate at all. He still has a fire in him to continue pursuing the craft he loves most. His goal is to complete twenty television series and twenty films in the next forty years. He looks to create groundbreaking projects that solidify his place in Hollywood history while also providing a guiding hand to new talents who want to make a career for themselves in film. All in all, Michael looks to create a legacy that will outlast him.
To learn more about Michael Fishman, visit his Instagram account and IMDB profile.
