Michael Sutton(II)
- Writer
Born in Pasadena, Sutton spent his childhood moving with his family
from one California city to another, ending up -- in his teen years--in
Laguna Beach, California.
In high school, he acted in a number of school plays under the direction of Judy Farrell, then wife of Mike Farrell of M*A*S*H fame. He also appeared at the age of 16 in a Laguna Playhouse production of "The Knack" directed by renowned character actor Sterling Holloway. About the same time, a brief stint as theater critic for the local paper marked the start of his writing career.
Attending UC Irvine from 1967-68, he acted in further productions--but his interest in playwriting was piqued when he attended a course on the subject taught by William Inge.
Sutton transferred to the theater department at UCLA in 1968, where he continued acting -- but was daunted by the prospect of having to jump through the requisite hoops necessary to establish himself as a professional actor... Consequently, when three of his one-acts produced there were favorably received, he permanently switched his focus from acting to writing.
In the following decades, Sutton divided his time between writing plays, a novel, TV episodes, and screenplays--the latter two primarily in collaboration with Chris Miller, co-writer of "Animal House," with whom he was partnered for 12 years.
He married actress Kate Sarchet in 1989, and fathered one son: Timothy Michael Sutton.
Following his divorce, and the end of his collaboration with Miller five years later, Sutton turned to web design and computer training, while continuing to write -- now primarily for the theater.
In 2011, Sutton relocated to Spokane, Washington, and in 2014 wrote the play "Lilyville," satirizing that city and its inhabitants.
His son Tim is a student at Cal State Fullerton.
In high school, he acted in a number of school plays under the direction of Judy Farrell, then wife of Mike Farrell of M*A*S*H fame. He also appeared at the age of 16 in a Laguna Playhouse production of "The Knack" directed by renowned character actor Sterling Holloway. About the same time, a brief stint as theater critic for the local paper marked the start of his writing career.
Attending UC Irvine from 1967-68, he acted in further productions--but his interest in playwriting was piqued when he attended a course on the subject taught by William Inge.
Sutton transferred to the theater department at UCLA in 1968, where he continued acting -- but was daunted by the prospect of having to jump through the requisite hoops necessary to establish himself as a professional actor... Consequently, when three of his one-acts produced there were favorably received, he permanently switched his focus from acting to writing.
In the following decades, Sutton divided his time between writing plays, a novel, TV episodes, and screenplays--the latter two primarily in collaboration with Chris Miller, co-writer of "Animal House," with whom he was partnered for 12 years.
He married actress Kate Sarchet in 1989, and fathered one son: Timothy Michael Sutton.
Following his divorce, and the end of his collaboration with Miller five years later, Sutton turned to web design and computer training, while continuing to write -- now primarily for the theater.
In 2011, Sutton relocated to Spokane, Washington, and in 2014 wrote the play "Lilyville," satirizing that city and its inhabitants.
His son Tim is a student at Cal State Fullerton.
