-Michael Jonathan Zegen is an American actor born in Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1979.
-He is best known for starring as Joel Maisel in the comedy “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel” since 2017.
-He has appeared in over 30 movies and TV series.
-He is currently in a long-term relationship with Rachel Elizabeth Brosnahan and has an estimated net worth of over $4 million.
-He enjoys hiking, cycling, painting and watching films in his spare time.
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Who is Michael Zegen?
American actor Michael Jonathan Zegen was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey USA, on 20 February 1979, so his zodiac sign’s Aquarius. He’s appeared in more than 30 movies and TV series, and is probably known best for starring as Joel Maisel in all the 35 episodes of the comedy “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel”, which has been airing since 2017. It was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, also stars Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein, and follows Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel whose husband’s just left her and her two children, while she’s now learned that she has a knack for stand-up comedy; the series has won 102 of its 306 award nominations.
Education and early life
Michael was raised in Glen Rock, New Jersey alongside his two brothers, by their father who was an attorney, and mother who was a high school teacher; the family moved back to Ridgewood when he was five. Michael’s family is Jewish – his maternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors, and his mother was born at a displaced persons’ camp in Austria.
Michael studied at Ridgewood High School and was a member of its drama club, appearing in nearly all the plays performed there during those four years. He matriculated in 1997, and then enrolled at Skidmore College, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 2001.
Roles in movies
Michael’s debut film role was playing Charlie in the 2001 short comedy “The Pizza Boy”, and his following role came in 2005, when cast to play Todd in the drama “Bittersweet Place”.
In 2007, he portrayed Eddie in the crime horror “The Girl Next Door”, which Gregory Wilson directed, starring Blanche Baker, Blythe Auffarth and William Atherton. It follows a teenage girl who was tortured and abused by her aunt – the movie won one of its two award nominations. Michael was then seen appearing in the 2008 crime mystery comedy “Assassination of a High School President”, the 2009 romantic comedy “Adventureland” and the biographical comedy “Taking Woodstock” also in 2009.
The year 2012 saw him play Benji in the popular romantic comedy “Frances Ha”, written and directed by Noah Baumbach, and which starred Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner and Adam Driver. It follows a woman from New York City as she’s trying to become a famous dancer; the film won one of its 50 award nominations.
Michael’s also known for portraying Pete in the 2017 romantic musical “Becks”, written and directed by Daniel Powell, and which starred Lena Hall, Mena Suvari and Christine Lahti. It follows a New York City musician who’s moved back with her mother because she’s broken up with her girlfriend, and the movie won two awards.
Michael’s since appeared in three movies: in 2018 the comedy “Tyrel” and the romantic comedy “The Seagull”, and the 2020 comedy “The Stand In”.
Roles in TV series
Michael made his debut TV series appearance playing Partygoer in the 2004 episode “All Due Respect” of the crime drama “The Sopranos”, then from 2004 through 2011, he starred as Damien Keefe in the comedy “Rescue Me”, which Peter Tolan created, and which also starred Denis Leary and Steven Pasquale. It follows firefighter Tommy Gavin who’s afraid of seeing his former wife dating other men – the series won nine of its 37 award nominations.
The year 2012 saw Michael play Randall Culver in four episodes of the horror thriller “The Walking Dead”, and the year 2014 saw him play Joe in the comedy “Girls”. From 2011 through 2014, he played the supporting character Benny Siegel in the crime drama “Boardwalk Empire”, which Terence Winter created, and which starred Michael Shannon, Kelly Macdonald and Steve Buscemi. It follows the life of an Atlantic City politician, and the series won 84 of its 168 award nominations.
Michael’s since appeared in only a couple of TV series, with his three most recent roles having been in the 2016 episode “The Path to War Part Two: The Impact of Propaganda on Congressional War Votes” of the horror comedy “BrainDead”, the 2020 episode “Up in the Air” of the drama “Acting for a Cause”, and the 2021 episode “The Movie Show Does Romance” of the comedy “The Movie Show”.
Other credits
Michael sang the song “My Girl’s Pussy” in the 2014 episode “Friendless Child” of the crime drama “Boardwalk Empire”.
Some of his recent talk-show appearances have been in “GMA3: What You Need to Know”, “Extra” and “In Creative Company”.
Awards and nominations
Michael and his colleagues won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2019 and 2020, both for their performance in “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel”.
He was also nominated for a 2015 Screen Actors Guild Award for an Ensemble in a Drama Series for “Boardwalk Empire”, and a 2022 Pena de Prata Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series for “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel”, both shared with colleagues.
Love life and wife
Michael rarely speaks about his love life in public, but there are two women whom he’s been with, that his fans know about.
He dated famous American actress and singer Emily Kinney in 2012, after the two had met on the set of the series “The Walking Dead”; Emily’s appeared in 27 movies and TV series, and has won one of her two award nominations.
Since 2017, Michael’s been in a relationship with famous American actress Rachel Elizabeth Brosnahan, who’s also portraying his wife Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel in the series “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel”.
He’s yet to speak of other women whom he’s dated, Michael’s in a long-term relationship with Rachel Elizabeth Brosnahan as of January 2023, hasn’t married and doesn’t have children.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Michael’s a member of the New York City comedy sketch troupe Hottie$ Galore.
There are nearly 70,000 people following him on Instagram today, and he’s posted more than 350 pictures onto the social media network.
Michael’s a huge dog- lover, and has featured his pet dog Iggy in some of his Instagram pictures; Iggy broke its leg half a year ago, but it’s already entirely healed.
He prefers going to the theatre over the cinema.
Michael spends his spare time in nature, as he enjoys hiking; he also cycles nearly every day.
He’s passionate about art, especially painting.
Some of the actors whom he enjoys watching the most are Al Pacino, Matt Damon and Robert De Niro, and some of his favorite films include “Scent of a Woman”, “Good Will Hunting” and “The Irishman”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Michael’s age is 43. His eyes and hair are brown, he’s 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall and weighs about 155lbs (71kgs).
Michael’s net worth’s been estimated at over $4 million, as of January 2023.
