Biographie
Mike Rylander has built a diverse career as an actor, host, writer, and producer across numerous mediums and genres. His acting credits include appearances on Parks and Recreation (NBC), The Young and the Restless (CBS), The Gambler (Paramount Pictures), and Hollywood Adventures, directed by Justin Lin.
Currently, he serves as an Associate Video Producer and Social Content Producer for CBS Interactive and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Previously, Mike was the Host, Writer, and Producer of two satirical "weird news" web series for Larry King's Ora TV— "So That Happened..." and "WTFark!" The latter gained further distribution through AOL, The Huffington Post, and Fark.com.
He is the Arena Host for UCLA Bruins Basketball and was an NBA Arena Host for seven years with the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves. His live event hosting experience includes SyFy's Total Blackout Live at The Grove and the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament. Mike also hosted 21 Cards, a Regional Emmy-nominated game show aired on The CW Twin Cities.
Mike has appeared in numerous commercials, including a Doritos spot that aired during Super Bowl XLIV, becoming the "Most Watched Television Commercial of All-Time." His commercial work also includes campaigns for Snickers, Denny's, Amica Insurance, Rapala, Mercury Insurance, and 5-Hour Energy, among others.
He has narrated several audiobooks, notably The Fourth Stall from HarperCollins, which won the 2012 Sid Fleischman Humor Award. The book was authored by his brother Chris, with whom Mike is developing television adaptations of their book series.
Mike studied improvisation and sketch comedy at Upright Citizens Brigade (Los Angeles) and Brave New Workshop (Minneapolis), and has performed at other Los Angeles improv/sketch venues, including iO West and The Clubhouse.
In Minneapolis, he was an active theater actor involved with numerous companies and productions such as Davenport Theatrical, The Hennepin Theatre Trust, The Actor's Theater of Minnesota, Joking Envelope, Live Action Set, Four Humors, Girl Friday, Urban Samurai, Theatre Unbound, Dana's Boys, and The National Theater for Children.
His broadcasting experience includes roles as a Talk Radio Host on MyTalk 107.1FM, Television Host on Shop NBC, and On-Air Personality at The CW Twin Cities. In 2007, Cosmopolitan Magazine named him one of the "50 Sexiest Bachelors in America."
Raised in Minot, North Dakota, Mike began performing in community and collegiate theater early on. His passion for acting continued through high school, where he earned a Best Actor Award from the Thespian Society for his role as Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet. He was also an All-Conference football player, Math Team Captain, and State Champion of the American Legion High School Oratorical Contest. After high school, he attended North Dakota State University for one year, majoring in Computer Engineering and Mathematics.
Mike currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Jes, and daughter, Parson, continuing his work as an actor, host, writer, and producer.
