Michael Jeter

MICHAEL JETER

Date of Birth: August 26, 1952

"The way I look at it, my vocation is looking for work; my vacation is when I get it." - Michael Jeter

Born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Jeter had intended to be a physician when he was accepted into Memphis State University. But during his studies he bumped into the campus theater and became entranced with the idea of acting and creating plays.

He soon switched his goals to drama and following college, relocated to New York, where he landed his first job, a small role in Milos Forman's movie musical, Hair. Other stage gigs followed including his Tony award- winning Broadway performance in Grand Hotel.

He made his first appearance on the small screen in 1977 with a bit part in the series Lou Grant. He continued to work in theatee and television until the mid '80s where he began to land larger roles in feature films like The Money Pit and Tango & Cash.

By the early '90s he had earned one Emmy and was nominated for four more, for his performances as the frustrated assistant football coach in TV's Evening Shade. He continued to make strong showings in feature films like The Fisher King, Patch Adams, Waterworld, and The Green Mile.

He died in Los Angeles on March 30, 2003, of complications from HIV.

Filmography:

The Polar Express (2004)
Open Range (2003)
Welcome to Collinwood (2002)
Jurassic Park III (2001)
Kid Quick (2000)
The Gift (2000)
South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000)
The Green Mile (1999)
Jakob the Liar (1999)
True Crime (1999)
The Naked Man (1998)
Patch Adams (1998)
Thursday (1998)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Race for Atlantis (1998)
Mouse Hunt (1997)
Air Bud (1997)
Waterworld (1995)
Drop Zone (1994)
Bank Robber (1993)
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
The Fisher King (1991)
Just Like in the Movies (1990)
Miller's Crossing (1990)
Tango & Cash (1989)
Dead Bang (1989)
The Money Pit (1986)
Zelig (1983)
Soup for One (1982)
Ragtime (1981)
Hair (1979)