Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$2 million
Date Of BirthApril 21, 1966
SpouseSara Agah Franti (m. 2015), Tara Franti-Rye (m. 1998–2004), The Sound of Sunshine, Say Hey, Ganja Babe
FactContinues to record and perform live with his band, Spearhead. Spearhead is set to release their fifth proper studio release, "Yell Fire!", which comes out July 25th, 2006. "Yell Fire!" contains the songs inspired by his trip to the Middle East (including the documentary, I Know I'm Not Alone (2005)). Spearhead also has plans to tour in the summer of 2006. [June 2006]


Michael Franti is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and musician who is best known as the front man for the band Spearhead. He was born on April 21, 1966 in Oakland, California to a white mother and a black father. His parents divorced when he was just two years old, and he was raised by his mother in San Francisco. Franti was exposed to a variety of music at an early age, including soul, reggae, and rock. He began playing the guitar when he was nine years old, and started his first band, The Beatnigs, when he was in high school. The band released one album before breaking up.

Franti attended the University of San Francisco on a basketball scholarship, but dropped out after one semester to pursue a career in music. He became a DJ for a local radio station, and then started his own record label, Boo Boo Waxworks. In 1994, he formed Spearhead and released their debut album, Home. The album was a critical and commercial success, and led to a series of successful albums and tours for the band.

Franti is also known for his social and political activism. He has been an outspoken critic of the Iraq War, and has campaigned for a variety of causes, including environmentalism and peace. He has also been involved in relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

In addition to his work with Spearhead, Franti has also released several solo albums. His most recent album, All People, was released in 2013.

Franti is married to Tara McKinley, with whom he has two sons. He also has a daughter from a previous relationship.

General Info

Full NameMichael Franti
Net Worth$2 million
Date Of BirthApril 21, 1966
Height1.98 m
ProfessionSinger-songwriter, Film producer, Film director, Poet, Rapper, Actor, Composer, Lead vocalist, The Sound of Sunshine, Say Hey, Ganja Babe
EducationUniversity of San Francisco, Davis Senior High School, The Sound of Sunshine, Say Hey, Ganja Babe
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseSara Agah Franti (m. 2015), Tara Franti-Rye (m. 1998–2004), The Sound of Sunshine, Say Hey, Ganja Babe
ChildrenCappy Franti, Ade Franti, The Sound of Sunshine, Say Hey, Ganja Babe
ParentsCarole Wisti, Charles Franti, The Sound of Sunshine, Say Hey, Ganja Babe
SiblingsSara Franti, Matthew Franti, Rebecca Franti, Thomas Hopkins, Charles Hopkins, Thea Hopkins, Dan Franti, Arthur Hopkins, The Sound of Sunshine, Say Hey, Ganja Babe

Accomplishments

Music GroupsThe Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, The Beatnigs, The Sound of Sunshine, Say Hey, Ganja Babe
MoviesI Know I'm Not Alone, The Fourth World War, Power to the Peaceful Yoga, This Is What Democracy Looks Like, Darker Side of Black, Michael Franti & Spearhead: Live in Sydney, Michael Franti & Spearhead + Various Artists, Hip Hop Nation: Vol. 4

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1Continues to record and perform live with his band, Spearhead. Spearhead is set to release their fifth proper studio release, "Yell Fire!", which comes out July 25th, 2006. "Yell Fire!" contains the songs inspired by his trip to the Middle East (including the documentary, I Know I'm Not Alone (2005)). Spearhead also has plans to tour in the summer of 2006. [June 2006]
2Leader of band, Spearhead.

Pictures

Movies

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sold2016music: "Once a Day" [Worldbeat Mix] / performer: "Once a Day" [Worldbeat Mix]
Strange Magic2015writer: "Say Hey"
Into the Storm2014performer: "On And On" / writer: "On And On"
We Are Many2014Documentary lyrics: "WE DON'T STOP" - as Franti / music: "WE DON'T STOP" - as Franti / performer: "WE DON'T STOP"
Spark: A Burning Man Story2013Documentary "Let It Go"
Won't Back Down2012performer: "Hey Hey Hey" / writer: "Hey Hey Hey"
The NewsroomTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2012 writer - 1 episode, 2012
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked2011writer: "SAY HEY"
Blue Crush 22011Video performer: "The Sound of Sunshine" / writer: "The Sound of Sunshine"
Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star2011writer: "Say Hey I Love You"
Soul Surfer2011performer: "The Sound of Sunshine" / writer: "The Sound of Sunshine"
The Tonight Show with Jay LenoTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2011 writer - 1 episode, 2011
Hall Pass2011performer: "Shake It" / writer: "Shake It"
Yogi Bear2010performer: "The Sound of Sunshine" / writer: "The Sound of Sunshine"
The Late Late Show with Craig FergusonTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2010 writer - 1 episode, 2010
Late Show with David LettermanTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2010 writer - 1 episode, 2010
Ai Wu xian2010TV Series writer: "Say I Love You"
Dancing with the Stars2010TV Series writer - 1 episode
Ramona and Beezus2010writer: "Say Hey I Love You"
The Back-up Plan2010performer: "Say Hey I Love You" / writer: "Say Hey I Love You"
Valentine's Day2010/Iwriter: "Say Hey I Love You"
Into the Blue 2: The Reef2009Video performer: "Say Hey I Love You" / writer: "Say Hey I Love You"
Sometimes in Life2008lyrics: "Sometimes" / music: "Sometimes"
Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Nightclub2008Documentary writer: "Runfayalife"
Weeds2005-2007TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Daddy Day Camp2007writer: "Sometimes"
License to Wed2007writer: "Everybody On a Move"
Snakes on a Plane2006writer: "Hey Now Now"
Lady in the Water2006performer: "Passion" / writer: "Passion"
Park2006writer: "Do Ya Love"
Coachella2006Video documentary writer: "We Don't Stop"
Last Holiday2006writer: "Sometimes"
The WireTV Series writer - 2 episodes, 2002 performer - 1 episode, 2002
Joe Somebody2001writer: "Sometimes"
Summer Catch2001writer: "Sometimes"
Mystery Men1999writer: "Sometimes"
Good Burger1997producer: "Roxanne"
A Brother's Kiss1997writer: "Hole in the Bucket" 1994
Feeling Minnesota1996performer: "Family Affair"
Blue in the Face1995writer: "To My Ba-Bay"
Houseguest1995writer: "People in tha Middle" - as Mike Franti
Terminal City Ricochet1990"Television Drug of a Nation"

Composer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Guerrilla Midwife2010Documentary
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?2008Documentary music written and performed by
I Know I'm Not Alone2005Documentary
Always Outnumbered1998TV Movie

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
I Know I'm Not Alone2005Documentary

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Ewoks: The Battle for Endor1985TV MovieMarauder

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sold2016performer: additional music - as Michael Franti & Spearhead

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
I Know I'm Not Alone2005Documentary producer

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Awake2010/IIShort very special thanks
Beneath the Beauty2010Documentary thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk2017Documentary completedHimself
A Beginner's Guide to Saving the WorldDocumentary filmingHimself
DreadtownDocumentary post-productionHimself
Real Time with Bill Maher2016TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Live with Kelly and Michael2016TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
Roadtrip Nation2015TV Series documentaryHimself
Hope for Steve2014Documentary
Spicks and Specks2014TV SeriesHimself
Jimmy Kimmel Live!2013TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest / Himself - Musical guest
The View2013TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
Late Show with David Letterman2001-2013TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest / Himself
Yoga Is: A Transformational Journey2012Video documentaryHimself
Bad Brains: A Band in DC2012DocumentaryHimself
Altas Horas2011TV SeriesHimself
42nd NAACP Image Awards2011TV SpecialHimself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno2011TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson2006-2010TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest / Himself
Sounds Like a Revolution2010DocumentaryHimself
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show2009TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon2009TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
One Giant Leap 2: What About Me?2008Video documentaryHimself
A Call to Action2008TV Movie documentaryHimself
Diamonds in the Rough2007DocumentaryNarrator
Tavis Smiley2004-2006TV SeriesHimself
Breaking the Rules2006DocumentaryHimself
Roadie Trip2006TV SeriesHimself
Coachella2006Video documentaryHimself - Spearhead
Dropped2006TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Reality of Bob Burnquist2005Video documentaryHimself
I Know I'm Not Alone2005DocumentaryHimself
Blind Boys of Alabama: Go Tell It on the Mountain2004TV SpecialPerformer
Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire2004DocumentaryHimself
Def Poetry2004TV Series documentaryHimself
T in the Park2004TV MovieHimself
Soundz of Spirit2003DocumentaryHimself
The Fourth World War2003DocumentaryNarrator
Get Up, Stand Up2003TV Series documentaryHimself - Interviewee
5 Sides of a Coin2003DocumentaryHimself
Enough Rope with Andrew Denton2003TV SeriesHimself
Barend en Van Dorp2003TV SeriesHimself - Singer
Go Further2003DocumentaryHimself
1 Giant Leap2002DocumentaryHimself
The Last Poets2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
This Is What Democracy Looks Like2000DocumentaryNarrator (voice)
Trade Off2000DocumentaryHimself
Courage: Profiles in Creativity1998DocumentaryHimself
Paskvil1997TV SeriesHimself
Later... With Jools Holland1994TV SeriesHimself

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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