Michael Tucker

Baltimore-born actor Michael Tucker developed an interest in performing as a teen, when he made a chorus appearance as a "Lost Boy" in an amateur theater presentation of "Peter Pan". Following high school, he studied drama at Carnegie Tech., then found work in stock shows and in such repertory companies as the Long Wharf Theater and Washington's Arena Stage. On the sly, he earned a side income as a college acting coach. Married at this time, his wife bore him a daughter in 1969. Alison Tucker would later go on to become an actress, herself. Michael later hooked up with Jill Eikenberry at the Arena Stage and went on to appear in the play, "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" (1970). Jill, who stood a few inches taller, married the 5'4-1/2" Michael in 1973. Together, they have a son, Max Tucker.Unhampered by his short stature and slightly gnomish features, Michael found work in character parts, making great strides on stage in such productions as "Moonchildren", with Jill, in 1972. He also worked in tandem with Joseph Papp in such classics as "The Merry Wives of Windsor", "The Comedy of Errors" and "Measure for Measure". He finally debuted on Broadway in a 1976 revival of "Trelawny of the Wells", with Meryl Streep and John Lithgow. Two years later, he entered the realm of film and TV. Minor parts in Final Chapter: Walking Tall (1977) and Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) led to a breakthrough featured role in the critically-acclaimed movie, Diner (1982). Woody Allen took advantage of his talents and featured him in both The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) and Radio Days (1987). 1986 proved a big year when both he and Jill were cast as "Stuart Markowitz" and "Ann Kelsey", respectively, in the long-running law series, L.A. Law (1986), which ran for eight seasons. Nominated for three Emmy awards (Jill was nominated five times; neither won), their characters also married on the show.Both he and Jill had always maintained a sound working relationship, together, and decided to capitalize on their sudden fame by finding mini-movie vehicles, together. These included Assault and Matrimony (1987), The Secret Life of Archie's Wife (1990), A Town Torn Apart (1992) and Gone in a Heartbeat (1996). Elsewhere, Michael has received praise for roles in such TV projects as Vampire (1979) and Day One (1989). They also have appeared together in readings of "Love Letters". More recently, he and Jill, married now for over 30 years, enjoyed a reunion with the original cast members of their successful series in a 2002 TV-movie, L.A. Law: The Movie (2002). Show less «