Michael Giel

I was 13 years old when my father came home from Sunday mass with a guitar in his hand. He had just purchased it from a garage sale for three dollars, talked down from five. He sat the guitar in the corner as a "conversation piece". It was missing a few strings. It was also cracked in the middle and had a hole in the back of it. I thought it was beautiful. That night when everyone was asleep, I quietly taught myself to play "Wild Thing" on one string. That was the first day I felt like a true artist.
But the best was yet to come!
Hi, my name is Michael Giel. I was born in Scarborough, back in the days when every girl had cooties (some of them are still rampant with the disease) and street hockey & hide-and-go-seek was the answer to every kid's prayers. I still live in Toronto, about 10 feet from Lake Ontario.
Retired from being an Insurance Adjuster, as well as a Nightclub Manager, I decided to persue my dreams back in the winter of 2004. I quit my career as the managers of Limelight Nightclub in Toronto and Wired Nightclub in Windsor respectfully, and immediately began taking classes at The Second City Theatre. It is there that I learned the fundamentals of what it is that I use every time I stand in front of a camera or on a stage. Graduating from Second City's Improv Workshops in June of 2005, I took a two week sabbatical in Mexico.
I was all alone; atop a 900 year old Mayan pyramid (Chichen-itza) when the unexplained energies that surrounded me provided the perspective that I so desired in order to do things properly upon my return home. One week later, after what was my very first audition, I was performing in the principal role of a blind painter. It was my first film. It was called “Do You Remember Me?” I know I always will!
As I write what you are now reading, I think about that experience. That was eleven months ago. I have performed in over 40 films since then, as well as many major television projects. I have since produced incredible results for myself and find I can hardly be contained, anticipating my next role on film. I am unsolicited right now, but I have recently begun the great, wide search for representation from a principal agent.
I try not to stray too far from my comedic roots as an actor, or an Improvisor. I have been associated with other reputable Improv Comedy institutions in Toronto, such as the Impatient Theatre Company.
Being blessed with a naturally deep vocal ability, I am also a voice actor. I specialize in cartoon voices & naration. I have been a singer and songwriter since the day that my father sat that old, beat up guitar in the corner as a conversation piece. Many of my songs are comedic parodies - usually with a political edge and you will usually find me at many of the countless 'open-mic' events that occur each and every night throughout the city of Toronto.
I have had the pleasure of filming in scenes with some very talented people such as Don Cheadle, Neve Campbell, Dennis Hopper, Robert Downey Jr., Liev Schreiber, Samuel L. Jackson, Hayden Christianson, John Travolta, Alfred Molina, Kelly Rowan, Jerry Stiller & Christopher Plummer...just to name a few.
Two months before my grandmother left us all to join my grandfather in Heaven, she said:
"There is nothing worse than 'woulda, shoulda, coulda' in this life. Nothing worse than wasted time and wasted talent. Never let a 'what if' happen to you, my boy!"
I see what's in store for me and I see what I have done with my dreams. I know that it's the best advice I have ever been handed.
Welcome to my universe.
As ever;
Michael Giel