Trivia

During early development, was considered for the lead role in the Batman (1966) TV series. This was before the concept of doing the show as an action comedy had been introduced. He would have played a serious and dramatic Bruce Wayne/Batman.

Retired from acting after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

During his short tenure as Tarzan, Mike was bitten in the face by a chimp and had to have his chin sewn up with twenty stitches. In addition he suffered from dysentery, an ear infection, and a liver ailment. After completing his third Tarzan film, he turned down the TV series and sued the producer for maltreatment, abuse, and working conditions detrimental to his health and welfare. Ron Ely starred in the subsequent series.

Was the fourth pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who chose him in the 9th round of the 1958 NFL Draft.

Appeared in 3 Tarzan movies, 2 John Wayne movies, 3 Cours après moi shérif (1977) movies, 3 Charlton Heston movies, and 4 Burt Reynolds movies (which included the 3 aforementioned "Smokey and the Bandit" films).

Died on the same day as Diana Millay, his co-star in Tarzan et le jaguar maudit (1967).

Born on exactly the same date as Pat Priest (AKA "Marilyn Munster").

He is the most recent actor to play Tarzan in more than one film: Tarzan et la vallée de l' or (1966), Tarzan et le jaguar maudit (1967) and Tarzan et l'Enfant de la jungle (1968).