Mike Ditka

MIKE DITKA

Date of Birth: October 18, 1939

A former tight end for the National Football League's Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, Mike Ditka was head coach of the Bears from 1982 to 1992. His first year in pro football, Mike showed outstanding talent and was named Rookie of the Year. Born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, he excelled in basketball, baseball and football during his high school years and played college football at the University of Pittsburgh from 1958 to 1960 before being drafted as a first round pick.

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988, Mike is the second person to ever win the Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach and head coach. Having had a taste of show business as the host of his own self-titled TV program in Chicago, Mike began making guest appearances in the early '90s on hit series such as L.A. Law, Saturday Night Live, Cheers, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Coach and According to Jim.

He made his feature film debut playing a coach in UP, Michigan (2001) and again played a coach in the science fiction telefilm Maximum Surge (2003). Playing himself, he appeared in the Hollywood big budget film Kicking & Screaming (2005), starring Will Ferrell and Robert Duvall.

Mike didn't work again until 2011, when he made a guest appearance as himself on the TV series Entourage. His most recent role was playing the Major of Chicago in the short film Madzilla! (2014).

Married twice, Mike has four children with his second wife, Diana Trantham, whom he married in 1977. He makes his home in North Naples, Florida.

Filmography:

Kicking & Screaming (2005)
UP, Michigan! (2001)