- Nicknames
- Napoleon
- MiniMike
- Height5′ 3″ (1.60 m)
- Michael J. Tomaso started out in the film business shortly after graduating from Port Charlotte High School in 1984 in Charlotte County, Florida. Later that year, he was then hired by George A. Romero to play the role of the 'football player' zombie in his last 'living dead' movie in the Night of the Living Dead (1968) trilogy, Day of the Dead (1985); after finding out about the upcoming film from his teacher, mentor and friend, Dr. Paul M. Cleveland; that Mr. Romero was coming to Lee County, Florida to make the movie. Michael immediately contacted his friend, Kyra Schon [who played 'Karen' in the original 'Night of the Living Dead' in 1968], who confirmed it. Kyra referred Michael directly to Mr. Romero; Mr. Romero then referred Michael to his casting directors Christine Forrest-Romero; Gaylen Ross and Gary Brotz; who gave him the part as the 'football player' zombie; subsequently making Michael's character an iconic staple within the 'living dead' movie genre that has acquired a worldwide cult following.
Michael then continued to sporadically appear as an Extra or as a Stand-In in several other films; more notably as an SSTC Extra/Stand-In in Twister (1996); as an E-Deck Passenger Extra in James Cameron's Titanic (1997); as a student protester at Kent State in The '70s (2000); as a doomed prom-goer in Carrie (2002); and as a Ballroom Passenger Extra in Wolfgang Petersen's Poseidon (2006). Michael lobbied for a part in 'Poseidon' because he was a fan of the original _Irwin Allen (I)_ disaster epic, The Poseidon Adventure (1972); despite his fear of heights and rising water.
Michael was also originally slated to do Extras work in the film, Deep Impact (1998) for their NYC sequences; but he was bumped from the project and ended up doing the same thing for scenes in Godzilla (1998).
More recently, Michael auditioned for a small part in The Crazies (2010); and shortly before that, Michael was offered a small role as one of Charles Manson's 'followers' in Helter Skelter (2004). However, since Michael treats every character he portrays; no matter how big, small or insignificant; as an extension of himself; and because he always does his best to look for integrity in that particular character, as well as a redeeming value in the story, he was compelled to turn the part down, due to his deeply rooted, moral and ethical principles.
Michael is presently dividing his time between his multimedia business, his law studies and in working with an acting coach to prepare him for a few upcoming roles. After initially desiring to retire from acting, altogether to study Law, Michael decided to pick up a job (in the film business) from time to time to periodically give him a break from his studies to do something he had always enjoyed doing.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Alex Feltch, Publicist for Michael J. Tomaso
- (October 10-12, 2014) Michael appeared as a Media Guest at The Living Dead Fest in Evans City, PA; along with George A. Romero and many other fellow 'living dead' film alumnus; in celebration of the 46th Anniversary of "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) and for the re-dedication of the Evans City Cemetery Chapel which was featured in the opening sequence of the original film.
- Michael decided to study Law in 2008 specializing in entertainment, intellectual property (copyrights, trademarks and patents) and defamation law shortly after he had one of his copyrighted photographic works infringed upon and subsequently plagiarized by another. A pre-suit agreement was reached and the case settled out of court. As a direct result of this particular experience, it was then that Michael decided to study this type of Law in an effort to help better serve and protect the creative works and the proprietary interests of his clients.
- Michael was the proud sponsor of the Endless Addiction Car Club from 2004-2008 in Charlotte, County, Florida.
- Michael has owned a 1969 Cadillac 'Superior' Hearse since 1989. Aside from making it available as a rental to local funeral directors and limousine companies, the hearse was also featured as a 'picture car' in the films Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994), My Girl 2 (1994) and Kingdom Come (2001).
- In 2000, Michael helped his longtime friend, Tommy Von Voigt [aka Tommy Shameless] and his band, 'Anti-Anti'; produce their first bubblegum punk CD entitled, 'Slumber Party Massacre'.
- [on taking a break from law for acting, July 2010]: I feel like I've spent more time in court this year than Lindsay Lohan.
- [on life in general, November 2009]: One could say that the key to happiness is nothing more than having good health and a bad memory.
- [on wanting to become a lawyer, February 2008]: If fairness and equality were truly intended to prevail among mankind, we would have all been given Pentium Processors instead of prejudices.
- [on acting, September 2007]: The downside of doing things that get you noticed is that it can get you noticed by the wrong kinds of people.
- [on taking responsibility for one's actions, July, 2010]: An admission of liability when you know that you are at fault is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity.
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