Michael Cerveris

While growing up in suburban New England, Michael Cerveris had a hand in the arts early on. His father was a university professor of music and his mother was a modern dancer, and they encouraged their children to play instruments. Cerveris quickly mastered the violin and cello, but rock & roll took hold when he picked up a guitar at age ten. In between formal lessons and various moves around New England, Cerveris found music and performing to be the most permanent thing in his life. His latter high-school years were spent in Huntingon, WV, but attending Yale finally gave Cerveris the stability he was searching for.

He studied voice with Blake Stern while attending college, and after graduation Cerveris left for New York City in hopes of making his life in theater and voice a reality. Things weren't exactly golden in the beginning. Like most performers, time spent waiting tables and window dressing at various department stores kept Cerveris busy between auditions. In 1986, Cerveris landed the role as rocker Ian Ware in the television drama Fame. This stint allowed Cerveris to hone his vocal style while also giving him the chance to play guitar. Guest roles on Quantum Leap, The Equalizer, and 21 Jump Street soon followed.

As Cerveris approached the '90s, he was busier than ever