Michael Michele
In both her roles as a detective on NBC�s 'Homicide: Life On the Street' last year and as a doctor on 'ER' this season, Michael Michele portrays contemporary women who try to balance their demanding professional lives with their personal responsibilities away from their gritty workplaces where death is never far away.
'It�s very important to me to always make my characters capable of making choices in their personal and professional lives,' says Michele. 'Playing these kind of characters also raises the bar and makes you a better actor. Both �Homicide� and �ER� are fast-paced series with large ensemble casts and there�s no time for even a hiccup. You have to be ready to walk on the set and do your job right away.'
Michele joins the regular cast of 'ER' as Dr. Cleo Finch, a second-year resident in emergency medicine and pediatrics. Says Michele: 'At this time, I would say the two operative words to describe her are independent and assertive.'
Michele has also appeared in many films, including 'The Sixth Man' alongside Marlon Wayans; the urban drama 'New Jack City' opposite Wesley Snipes; and the Shooting Gallery�s independent film 'The Substitute 2' opposite Treat Williams and B.D. Wong. Her television credits include guest appearances on 'Players' and the miniseries 'Trade Winds' and Peter Benchley�s 'Creature.' She was also a regular on the series 'Central Park West,' playing the role of Nikki, the savvy SoHo art gallery owner, and had a recurring role as corporate lawyer Sandy Gill on 'New York Undercover' for two seasons.
A devoted philanthropist, Michele has been actively volunteering her time to work with underprivileged children since she was 15 years old. In addition, she mentors and advises various youngsters in New York and the Midwest.
An accomplished athlete, Michele played competitive basketball for the top-ranked women�s high school basketball team in Indiana, making her a local celebrity in a state where basketball and 'Hoosier hysteria' are the favorite pastimes. Besides her passion for roundball, she enjoys running ('It�s my form of therapy'), listening to contemporary and classical jazz and reading (particularly biographies of financial titans).
Michele resides in New York when not filming 'ER.' Her birthday is August 30.