Michael Medici

About Me

Artistic expression has always been the focus in Michael’s life. Expression that first drew him to the visual arts, painting, and sculpture. He was one of those kids that snuck into the theaters at intermission where he was in awe of theater and Actors. His life started in New Jersey but he didn’t stay long, “there’s a world out there” and a City across the river. Later he moved to New York City where he studied Fine Art at The School of Visual Arts. In the late 1960’s Michael packed up his Volkswagen Van and headed west to Los Angeles, then up the coast to San Francisco where he lived the bohemian life to the fullest. When the revolution ended, he fled to Europe for 5 great years living the “expatriate” life in Italy. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence and Bologna focusing on painting with a minor in Theater Set Design. (Side note: being a Medici studying art in Florence, Italy brought him some attention, yes he’s related).  Painting being a major part of his life until the seclusion the solitude of creating in the visual art process drew him to expand into theater and acting.

 

Acting was a way to collaborate and create with other artist and have the experience of sharing creative expression as it’s happening. It was also a lot of fun. Discovering it first in Los Angeles doing musical theater then later in San Francisco where he studied and developed his skills. He was fortunate to study with Jean Shelton for 6 years who’s support guided him to some of his favorite rolls, Tobias in “Delicate Balance,” Dan Harding “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Watson “Dirty Story, Jack Mann “Beebo Brinker Chronicles.” He was an associate member of the San Francisco Actors Theater and was a founding member of 2 different theater companies where he added Director to his resume with favorites like “Crimes of the Heart” and “House of Blue Leaves.” He also added producer and set designer until he decided to focus he energies on his own acting career.

 

His other life, the one that paid the mortgage was as an Event Manager and Designer.  The high points being, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 2000 Sydney Olympics working with the “Look of the Games” and “Protocol, Ceremonies” Division. Other great experiences included US Opens, World Figure Skating Championships and major Professional Sports teams. Having worked at this level he knows the value of a professional approach to the business of acting and brings it to every project he works on.

 

Now when most of his contemporaries are thinking of retiring he’s revving up and directing all his energy once again on acting. He’s been working on independent films and added commercial work to his resume along with theater.  He’s looking forward to many more acting projects, honing his art, and having a great time doing it. In the words of Mamie Eisenhower “I’m still not dead yet”, no actually that was National Lampoon.