Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$4 million
Date Of BirthSeptember 7, 1954
SpouseCarrie Preston
MarkDistinctive voice
FactEmerson graduated from South Tama County High School in Tama, Iowa.


Michael Emerson is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Benjamin Linus on the television series Lost and as Harold Finch on the CBS series Person of Interest.

Emerson was born on September 7, 1954, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Carol and Ronald Emerson. He has three siblings: two sisters and one brother. Emerson attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California.

Emerson’s career began in the theater. He appeared in several Off-Broadway and Broadway plays, including The Iceman Cometh and Waiting for Godot. Emerson’s first film role was in the 1985 film Death of a Salesman. He has since appeared in many films, including The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000), Saw (2004), and The Dark Knight (2008).

Emerson has won several awards for his work, including an Emmy Award for his role in Lost and a Saturn Award for his role in Person of Interest.

Emerson is married to actress Carrie Preston. They have two sons together.

As of 2021, Michael Emerson’s net worth is $20 million.

General Info

Full NameMichael Emerson
Net Worth$4 million
Date Of BirthSeptember 7, 1954
Height1.73 m
ProfessionVoice Actor, Theatre Director, Theatre teacher, Illustrator
EducationUniversity of Alabama, Drake University, South Tama County High School
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseCarrie Preston
ParentsCarol Emerson, Ronald H. Emerson
SiblingsPatrick Emerson, Melissa Emerson

Accomplishments

AwardsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Saturn Award, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
NominationsGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television, Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film, Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Villain, Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Pl...
MoviesSaw, The Legend of Zorro, Ready? OK!, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, Unfaithful, Straight-Jacket, The Impostors, Playing by Heart, 29th and Gay, The Laramie Project, For Love of the Game, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2, Orpheus Descending, Goldstar, Ohio, I'll Take You There, Jump...
TV ShowsPerson of Interest, Lost, Lost: Missing Pieces, Odd Jobs

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Frequently works with wife Carrie Preston (e.g. mother and son in 'Lost' (though not in the same scenes), doomed fiances in 'Person of Interest', neighbors in 'Ready? OK!', and numerous appearances together on stage).
2Distinctive voice

Quotes

#Quote
1[on having appeared for five seasons on 'Lost'] I like the show better the more I think of it. It did break new ground and it had a ripple effect. It played with the narrative process. It presented the audience with an esoteric view of time and space in a way they hadn't seen before. And I think the audience paid it back with this incredible affection and fervor that has really never gone away.
2[on 'Person of Interest'] When the NSA story broke I thought 'Oh, wow, now real events have caught up with us'. It's double-edged, though, because now we're very topical and the writers can no longer write it from the point-of-view of it being fiction. In a real way, the world has forced itself on us. And now the real world has to be incorporated into our stories in more subtle ways - because of what the audience now knows.
3A better question might be what is it about those characters that appeals to audiences, or an even better question is why do audiences perceive them as creepy? Let's say I got to the studio one day and I play it in neutral - I don't make any judgment about the character or the material or anything. And then when it comes out and it's all chopped together and there's music and stuff, people go 'my God that's scary!' But I don't know what the scary element is. I don't know if it's something in me. I don't know if it's in the playing of it or the perceiving of it. It's an interesting issue, though. - asked why he's drawn to playing "creepy" characters
4[about doing Unfaithful (2002)] You work four days, and then one line is left when you see it. Demoralizing.
5It worries me a little bit the reach and power of TV. More people saw me in The Practice (1997) than will ever see me in all the stage plays I ever do. Which is sort of humbling. Or troubling. Or both.
6I've had the blessing of doing classic plays on Broadway, which was one of my great dreams forever.

Facts

#Fact
1He was awarded the 1998 Back Stage Garland Award for Performance for "Gross Indecency' The Trials of Oscar Wilde at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
2He and the cast were awarded the 1998 Back Stage Garland Award for Ensemble for "Gross Indecency' The Trials of Oscar Wilde at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
3Worked as a Drama teacher before acting and briefly considered staying with it.
4Did not start acting professionally until he was 32 years old.
5Worked as a freelance illustrator and in retail before his acting career started.
6Did not have his first starring role in a play until he was 43 years old.
7Close friends with Terry O'Quinn.
8Michael Emerson met his now-wife, Carrie Preston, during the mid-1990s, when they both appeared in a production of "Hamlet" at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Preston played "Ophelia" and Emerson played "Guildenstern" in the production.
9Emerson graduated from South Tama County High School in Tama, Iowa.
10On Lost (2004), he played Ben Linus, the son of Roger Linus, played by Jon Gries, who is actually 3 years the junior of Emerson. The age difference is explicable because Roger is first seen in flashbacks to Ben's birth and childhood. Ben's mother was played by Carrie Preston, who in addition to being (like Gries) somewhat younger than Emerson, is also his real-life wife.
11Worked as a freelance illustrator for publications like The Boston Globe and The New York Times.
12Graduate of Drake University, where he earned a degree in Theater Arts.
13In 1995, he graduated from the prestigious Professional Actor Training M. F. A. program run jointly by the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and The University of Alabama Department of Theater and Dance. He turned 40 while in the program, which made him about 15 years older than the typical theater graduate student.
14Is a stage actor who makes occasional films.

Pictures

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Person of Interest2011-2016TV SeriesHarold Finch
The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements2015TV Mini-Series documentaryNarrator
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 22013VideoJoker (voice)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 12012VideoJoker (voice)
Living in the Age of Surveillance2012Video shortVarious
Generator Rex2011TV SeriesNanite Alpha
G.I. Joe: Renegades2011TV SeriesDr. Archibald Monev Dr. Venom
Parenthood2011TV SeriesAndy Fitzgerald
God in America2010TV SeriesJohn Winthrop
Lost - Epilogue: The New Man in Charge2010TV MovieBen Linus
Late Show with David Letterman2010TV SeriesCreepy Target Sock Shopper
Goldstar, Ohio2010ShortSteve Harper
Lost: Final Chapter2010TV MovieNarrator / Ben Linus
Lost: A Journey in Time2009TV MovieNarrator / Ben Linus (voice)
Ready? OK!2008/ICharlie New
Lost: Via Domus2008Video GameBen Linus (voice)
Lost: Past, Present & Future2008TV MovieNarrator / Ben Linus
Lost: Missing Pieces2007TV Mini-SeriesBen Linus
Jumping Off Bridges2006Frank Nelson
The Legend of Zorro2005Harrigan
The Inside2005TV SeriesMarty Manning
29th and Gay2005Gorilla
Straight-Jacket2004Victor
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit2004TV SeriesAllan Shaye
Saw2004Zep Hindle
Whoopi2003TV SeriesF. Thomas Erickson
Skin2003TV SeriesScarpelli
Without a Trace2003TV SeriesStuart Wesmar
The X-Files2002TV SeriesOliver Martin
Unfaithful2002Josh
Law & Order: Criminal Intent2002TV SeriesGerry Rankin
The Laramie Project2002TV MovieReverend
Sounds from a Town I Love2001TV Short
The Education of Max Bickford2001TV Series
The Practice2000-2001TV SeriesWilliam Hinks
The District2000TV SeriesMan in Bar
Stark Raving Mad2000TV SeriesMr. Putnam
For Love of the Game1999Gallery Doorman
I'll Take You There1999Tom
Playing by Heart1998Bosco
Grace & Glorie1998TV MovieArnold Dudley
The Impostors1998Burtom's Assistant
The Journey1997/IMichael
Orpheus Descending1990TV MovieClown

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Person of Interest2016TV Series performer - 1 episode

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Joker: Laughing in the Face of Death2013Video short special thanks
Lost: The Final Journey2010TV Movie documentary special thanks
Thespians2010/IIDocumentary special thanks
Lost: Final Chapter2010TV Movie special thanks
The ABC Fall Preview Open House2009TV Movie special thanks
Lost: A Journey in Time2009TV Movie special thanks
Lost: Destiny Calls2009TV Movie special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Late Show with David Letterman2011TV SeriesHimself - Guest / Warden in Instructional Video
The Cast of 'Lost': Before They Were TV Stars2010TV MovieHimself
The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards2010TV SpecialHimself - Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jimmy Kimmel Live!2009-2010TV SeriesHimself - Guest / Ben Linus / Himself - 'Lost' Clue Giver #2
Lost: The Final Journey2010TV Movie documentaryHimself
The View2008-2010TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Bonnie Hunt Show2009-2010TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Lost: 2010 PaleyFest2010VideoHimself - Panelist
The Soup2010TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Perdidos unplugged: Temporada final2010TV Movie documentaryHimself
The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards2010TV SpecialHimself - Nominee: Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards2009TV SpecialHimself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Ace of Cakes2009TV SeriesHimself
TV Guide Live at the Emmy Awards2008TV SpecialHimself
Lost: The Answers Are Here2008TV Movie documentaryHimself
The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards2007TV SpecialHimself - Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Lost: A Tale of Survival2006TV Movie documentaryNarrator / Ben Linus
Happy Birthday Oscar Wilde2004TV Movie documentaryHimself
Alexander Hamilton: Favorite Son2003Video documentaryGeorge Washington (voice)
The 53rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards2001TV SpecialHimself - Co-Presenter: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
A Director Prepares: Bobby Roth's Masterclass2016TV Series documentaryHimself
Larry King Now2015TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Rachael Ray2015TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Arsenio Hall Show2014TV SeriesHimself - Guest
6th Annual Shorty Awards2014VideoHimself - Presenter
The Joker: Laughing in the Face of Death2013Video shortHimself
Tavis Smiley2012TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson2012TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon2009-2011TV SeriesHimself - Guest

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Entertainment Tonight2015TV SeriesHimself
Lost: The Story of the Oceanic 62009TV MovieBen Linus (uncredited)
Lost: Destiny Calls2009TV MovieBen Linus (uncredited)
Lost: The Answers2007TV Movie documentaryBen Linus
Lost Survivor Guide2007TV Movie documentaryBen Linus (uncredited)
The Lost Survival Guide2006TV MovieBen Linus

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2009Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2008Saturn AwardAcademy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USABest Supporting Actor on TelevisionLost (2004)
2008Gold Derby TV AwardGold Derby AwardsEnsemble of the YearLost (2004)
2008Gold Derby TV AwardGold Derby AwardsDrama Supporting ActorLost (2004)
2007Gold Derby TV AwardGold Derby AwardsDrama Supporting ActorLost (2004)
2001Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesThe Practice (1997)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2014BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting AwardBehind the Voice Actors AwardsBest Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical ShortBatman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013)
2013BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting AwardBehind the Voice Actors AwardsBest Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical ShortBatman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)
2011Saturn AwardAcademy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USABest Supporting Actor on TelevisionLost (2004)
2010Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionLost (2004)
2010Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2010Saturn AwardAcademy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USABest Supporting Actor on TelevisionLost (2004)
2010Gold Derby TV AwardGold Derby AwardsDrama Supporting ActorLost (2004)
2010Gold Derby TV AwardGold Derby AwardsEnsemble of the YearLost (2004)
2010Golden NymphMonte-Carlo TV FestivalOutstanding Actor - Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2010OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2009Saturn AwardAcademy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USABest Supporting Actor in TelevisionLost (2004)
2009Gold Derby TV AwardGold Derby AwardsDrama Supporting ActorLost (2004)
2009Golden NymphMonte-Carlo TV FestivalOutstanding Actor - Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2009OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2008Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2008OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2007Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2007Saturn AwardAcademy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USABest Supporting Actor in a Television ProgramLost (2004)
2007Gold Derby TV AwardGold Derby AwardsEnsemble of the YearLost (2004)
2007Golden NymphMonte-Carlo TV FestivalOutstanding Actor - Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2007OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesLost (2004)
2007Satellite AwardSatellite AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionLost (2004)
2007Teen Choice AwardTeen Choice AwardsChoice TV: VillainLost (2004)
2006Gold Derby TV AwardGold Derby AwardsEnsemble of the YearLost (2004)
2006Satellite AwardSatellite AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionLost (2004)
2001OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesThe Practice (1997)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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