BIOGRAPHY
After graduating from Drake University with a major in Theater and a minor in Art, Michael Emerson, born September 7, 1954, moved to New York, forgot about acting and landed a job in magazine illustration. He later followed a romance to Florida, where he began acting again and supported himself with a variety of occupations, including directing and teaching. He acted professionally in the south for many years before entering the MFA Program at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (University of Alabama). After graduating, he once again moved to New York as a struggling actor and found a break in Moises Kaufman's Off-Broadway production of "Gross Indecency."

On Broadway Emerson appeared in "Hedda Gabler" and "The Iceman Cometh." His television credits include guest starring roles on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Without a Trace," "The X-Files" and "The Inside," among many others. For his performance as William Hinks on "The Practice," he was awarded the 2001 Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Dramatic Series.

On the big screen he appeared in such films as "Saw," "The Legend of Zorro," "Playing by Heart," "The Imposters," "Jumping off Bridges" and "Straight-Jacket."

Emerson is keen on Shakespeare and the classical theater, drawing and ghost stories. He supports off-off-Broadway theater and theater-community charities (BC/EFA and GMHC) and publicly supported radio stations.

He is married to actress Carrie Preston.

SELECT FILMOGRAPHY

• Ready? OK! (2008) as Charlie New
• Jumping Off Bridges (2006) as Frank Nelson
• The Legend of Zorro (2005) as Harrigan
• "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2004) as Allan Shaye
• Saw (2004) as Zep Hindle
• Unfaithful (2002) as Josh
• "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2002) as Gerald "Gerry" Rankin
• The Laramie Project (2002) as Reverend
• "The Practice" (2000-01) as William Hinks
• For Love of the Game (1999) as Gallery Doorman
• Playing by Heart (1998) as Bosco

'LOST'-RELATED KUDOS

• Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, 2007 Emmy Awards
• Nominee, Best Supporting Actor in a Television Program, 2007 Saturn Awards
• Nominee, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, 2006 Golden Satellite Awards

SOURCES

• ABC Medianet
• Internet Movie Database