Biographie
Michael Elias was born and raised in upstate New York. He has worked as an actor, writer, producer, and director in motion pictures, television, and theater across New York, Los Angeles, and London. He was a member of The Living Theatre and performed in Kenneth Brown's play 'The Brig' in both New York and London. At Warner Bros, Elias and Rich Eustis created and produced the award-winning series 'Head of the Class,' which aired for five seasons on ABC and starred Howard Hesseman and Billy Connolly. Elias wrote and directed the acclaimed Showtime jazz drama 'Lush Life,' featuring Forest Whitaker, Jeff Goldblum, and Cathy Baker. He received a nomination for Best Director at the Cable Ace Awards. His produced screenplays include "The Jerk," "The Frisco Kid," "Serial," "Envoyez les Violons," and "Young Doctors in Love." His play "The Catskill Sonata," centered on blacklisted artists, premiered in Los Angeles under the direction of Paul Mazursky and was named the top play of the year by LA Weekly. In 2013, Open Road Media published his novel "The Last Conquistador." His television adaptation of Anthony Burgess' novel "A Dead Man in Deptford," about the life of Christopher Marlowe, is in development with John Maybury attached as director. Michael Elias is a member of the Writers Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and serves on its Foreign Language Committee. He also belongs to the WGA, DGA, and PEN. He graduated from St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, with a degree in mathematics and philosophy. Michael Elias resides in Los Angeles and Paris and is married to Bianca Roberts, Executive Director of The Mona Bismarck American Center.
