- Born
- Birth nameMichael Francis Blake
- Son of character Larry J. Blake, Michael started his acting career at the age of two, appearing in various television commercials. He eventually moved into television roles, appearing in such shows as Adam-12, The Lucy Show, Marcus Welby, M.D., Bonanza, and Kung Fu.
His interest in silent film actor Lon Chaney was sparked at age ten when he stayed up to watch a late show screening of Man of a Thousand Faces (1957). He became fascinated with both Chaney and makeup, eventually getting his own makeup kit.
In 1978, a chance meeting with the head of the makeup department at Universal led to Michael switching careers at twenty-two, becoming one of the youngest makeup artist at the time working in the industry. He spent the next three years at Universal until the makeup department was closed. Since then he has been free-lancing on numerous films and television shows.- IMDb mini biography by: Michael F. Blake
- SpouseLinda Dame(1991 - present)
- Parents
- He is acknowledged as the leading historian on Lon Chaney, and has one of the finest memorabilia collections on the actor. Written three books on Chaney, within a five-year span.
- Quit acting ca. 1978 to become a makeup artist.
- Never played a father-and-son with his actor-dad Larry J. Blake, although they appeared together in a movie and a television episode.
- Appeared in Los Angeles as a guest clown with the Blue Unit of Ringling Bros.-Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1984 and 1986.
- At age 40, he went back to college to get his Bachelor's degree and his Master's degree in Critical Film Theory. Since 1999, Blake returns every semester to his alma matter, CSU, Northridge, to lecture students on the film/TV industry. In 2009, the Cinema and TV Arts department honored Blake with their Distinguished Alumni Award.
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