MICHAEL ROOKER
Michael Rooker
Gender: Male
Known for: Acting
Birthday: April 6, 1955
Place of Birth: Jasper, Alabama, USA
Biography
Michael Rooker (born April 6, 1955) is an American actor who mainly plays roles of antagonists. He first rose to prominence for portraying the titular role in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) and is best known for starring as Merle Dixon in the AMC series The Walking Dead (2010–2013) and as Yondu Udonta in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), followed by its sequels Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). He is a recurring collaborator of Guardians of the Galaxy director and co-CEO of DC Studios, James Gunn, appearing in all of his films to date, including Slither (2006), Super (2010), and The Suicide Squad (2021).
Filmography
Starring
2024·
Creature CommandosSam (voice)
2022·
PeacemakerRed St. Wild
2021·
What If...?Yondu Udonta (voice), Yondu (voice)
Yondu Udonta (archive footage) (uncredited)
2020·
Dead Talk LiveSelf - Guest
Cobb Milsap
2019·
CreepshowBeau
2018·
The RookieFrank Teska
2017·
SEAL TeamBig Chief
Self
2015·
CelebriD&DArnold
2014·
True DetectiveEdward Hoyt
2011·
Talking DeadSelf
2010·
The Walking DeadMerle Dixon
2009·
NSFW ShowSelf - Guest
2009·
ArcherSheriff E. Z. Ponder (voice)
2009·
MeteorCalvin Stark
2007·
Burn NoticeDale Lawson
2007·
ChuckMauser
2006·
ThiefDetective John Hayes
2006·
PsychGarth Lawnmore
2006·
SharkOscar Riddick
2005·
Criminal MindsChief Carlson
2003·
TremorsKinney
2003·
Las VegasMarcus Wexler
2002·
CSI: MiamiMarty Jones
2001·
Crossing JordanShawn Curaco
1997·
Stargate SG-1Colonel Edwards
1995·
The Outer LimitsColonel Beckett
1993·
Fallen AngelsBabe McCloor
1990·
Law & OrderJamie Yost
1989·
Gideon OliverDetective John Quinn
1986·
Crime StoryLieutenant
1985·
The EqualizerBill Whitaker
TBA·
IzziSheriff Blackstone
2025·
SupermanSuperman Robot #1 (voice)
TBA·
Pig VillageSteve
2022·
White ElephantGabriel Tancredi
Self
2021·
VivoLutador (voice)
2021·
F9Buddy
2020·
The Dark TowerElred Jonas
2020·
Love and MonstersClyde
2020·
Fantasy IslandDamon
2019·
BrightburnThe Big T
2019·
BoldenPat McMurphy
2017·
Life After FlashSelf
2014·
ElwoodCondello
2014·
The Driving DeadTrooper
2012·
PennhurstDr. Death
Self
Red Doc (segment "Jonah Hex") (voice)
2008·
This Man's LifeRichard Crummly
Self
2005·
Chasing GhostsMark Spencer
2004·
The EliminatorSelf
Colonel Beckett
2000·
NewsbreakJohn McNamara
1997·
Meet Wally SparksMichael Rooker
Uncle Earle
1995·
Johnny and ClydeFrank Tennant
1989·
The EdgeDeputy Sheriff (Indian Poker)
1988·
Above the LawMan in Bar
1987·
Rent-a-CopJoe
The Man with the Answers
Sgt. Major Riordan
TBA·
Road RageStony
Sgt. Major Thomas Riordan
Yondu
2023·
The Out-LawsAgent Oldham
2022·
Corrective MeasuresWarden Devlin
2021·
The Suicide SquadSavant
2021·
ClerkSelf
Merle Dixon / Lucille's Father (voice)
Yondu
2017·
The Belko ExperimentBud Melks
Yondu Udonta
2013·
Brother's KeeperChief Carver
2012·
HypothermiaRay Pelletier
2012·
Rogue RiverGas Attendent
2011·
MysteriaCaptain McCarthy
2011·
Cell 213Ray Clement
2010·
Atlantis DownFather / Alien
Defense attorney Billy Watkins
2010·
LouisPat McMurphy
2010·
MatadorsJohn Canterna
2010·
SuperAbe
Red Doc (voice)
2009·
The Marine 2Church
2009·
Freeway KillerDet. St. John
2009·
PenanceMann
2009·
Super CapersJudge / Dark Winged Vesper
2008·
Humanzee!Priest
2008·
JumperWilliam Rice
2007·
WhisperSydney Braverman
2006·
Lenexa, 1 MileRuss
2006·
SlitherGrant Grant
2004·
Skeleton ManCaptain Leary
2003·
On Thin IceRoger Hopkins
2003·
Saving Jessica LynchColonel Curry
2003·
The BoxDetective Stafford
2002·
UndisputedA.J. Mercker
2001·
ReplicantJake
2000·
Table OneRowdy
2000·
Here on EarthMalcolm Arnold
2000·
The 6th DayRobert Marshall
1999·
Wicked WaysMatt Draper / Dr. Matthew Swan
1999·
The Bone CollectorCaptain Howard Cheney
1998·
Shadow BuilderFather Vassey
1998·
Brown's RequiemFritz Brown
1998·
Renegade ForceMatt Cooper
Stan 'Zeedo' Zedkov
1997·
Song of HiawathaBertrand
1997·
Keys to TulsaKeith Michaels
1997·
DeceiverDetective Edward Kennesaw
1997·
RosewoodSheriff Walker
1996·
The Trigger EffectGary
1996·
Back to BackBob Malone
1995·
MallratsSvenning
1994·
SuspiciousAttendant
1994·
The Hard TruthJonah Mantz
1993·
CliffhangerHal Tucker
1993·
TombstoneSherman McMasters
1993·
The Dark HalfSheriff Alan Pangborn
1992·
AfterburnCasey 'Z' Zankowski
1991·
JFKBill Broussard
1990·
Days of ThunderRowdy Burns
1989·
L.A. TakedownBosko
1989·
Sea of LoveTerry
1989·
Music BoxKarchy Laszlo
1988·
Retreads1988·
Eight Men OutChick Gandil
1988·
Mississippi BurningFrank Bailey
1987·
Light of DayOogie
Henry
Production
2012·
PennhurstDirector
Thanks
1999·
Wicked WaysCo-Executive Producer
1998·
Brown's RequiemAssociate Producer