Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey | The Shield on FX
Michael Chiklis
Detective Vic Mackey / Executive Producer
Emmy® Winner Micheal Chiklis returns as "Detective Vic Mackey," the lightning-rod leader of the Strike Team. Reeling from the loss of his friend Curtis Lemansky in last year's finale, Vic will risk family, career, and his own freedom to find Lem's killer.
Career Highlights
Chiklis turned in a history-making performance as rogue detective Vic Mackey, which earned him multiple Golden Globe® and Emmy® nominations. For what has been arguably the most critically acclaimed performance in television, Chiklis captured the 2002 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and the 2003 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama, becoming the first actor in the history of advertiser-supported cable television to capture both awards. He also won the 2002 Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama. TIME magazine declared that Chiklis “gave TV’s performance of the year.”
In the summer of 2005, Chiklis starred in 20th Century Fox’s highly successful live-action film, Fantastic Four, portraying “Ben Grimm” (aka “The Thing”), one of Marvel Comics’ most popular and beloved characters. Chiklis recently completed principal photography for the highly anticipated sequel which set for release on June 15th, 2007. His career continues to flourish, recently completing production on the thriller Rise, opposite Lucy Liu for director Sebastian Gutierrez, which is slated for release in 2007. In season three of The Shield, Chiklis added new dimensions to his repertoire by taking on the role of producer and director. The star helmed the episode titled “Slipknot” and also directed the episode “Haunts” in season 6.
A classically trained actor, Chiklis earned his Equity card at age 13 appearing in multiple regional and off-Broadway theater productions including A Streetcar Named Desire, Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It and many more. He attended Boston University School of Performing Arts where he received his B.F.A. Days after graduation, Chiklis auditioned for the role of John Belushi in the controversial film Wired, a role that he would eventually earn three years later. Afterward, Michael guest starred in many popular series including Miami Vice, L.A. Law, Murphy Brown and Seinfeld.
In 1991 Chiklis captured the title role on The Commish. which aired on ABC from 1991-1996. Chiklis portrayed "Police Commissioner Ton Scali," the lovable antithesis of Vic Mackey. The role was based on an actual New York state police commissioner and originally called for an older man, but Chiklis won the producers over and made the role his own.
After The Commish wrapped, Chiklis went to Broadway and starred in the one-man show Defending the Caveman. Some of his film credits include The Tax Man with Joe Pantoliano, Do Not Disturb opposite William Hurt and Soldier with Kurt Russell. His additional television credits include a role as "Chris Woods," the stay-at-home father on the NBC comedy Daddio as well as a starring role as "Curly" in the ABC movie The Three Stooges which was executive produced by Mel Gibson.