Michael York (actor)

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Michael York OBE (born Michael York-Johnson, March 27, 1942, in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, England) is a prolific British actor now resident in California, more recently best known among mainstream audiences for his role of Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers series of films.

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Prior to graduating with a degree in English from University College, Oxford in 1964, York had toured with the National Youth Theatre, also performing with the Oxford University Dramatic Society and the University College Players. After some time with the Dundee Repertory, York joined the National Theatre where he worked with Franco Zeffirelli during the 1965 staging of Much Ado About Nothing.

York made his film debut as Lucentio in Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew (1967), then was cast as Tybalt in Zeffirelli's 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet with Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. In Cabaret (1972) York played Brian Roberts, and in 1979 reunited with Zeffirelli as a fiery John the Baptist in Jesus of Nazareth.

Meanwhile, York had already been on British TV as Jolyon (Jolly) in The Forsyte Saga (1967). York also played the title character in the film adaptation of Logan's Run (1976).

Since his auspicious early work, York has enjoyed a busy and varied career in film, television, and on the stage. He has also made many sound recordings as a reader, including Harper Audio's production of C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Image:B5 A Late Delivery from Avalon 1.jpg He appeared in the Babylon 5 episode A Late Delivery From Avalon as the mentally disturbed and guilt-ridden David McIntyre, the Earthforce gunner who obeyed his Captain's orders to open fire on a Minbari vessel, which started the war between Minbar and Earth that would ultimately kill over 250,000 humans. He also appeared as Professor Asher Fleming, a 60 year-old Yale professor and boyfriend of Yale student Paris Geller (Liza Weil) in the fourth season of Gilmore Girls.

He has made an appearance on The Simpsons as Mason Fairbanks, Homer's possible father in Homer's Paternity Coot. He was also in the third season finale of Sliders as a character reminiscent of Dr. Moreau.

York's stepson is Star Wars producer Rick McCallum.

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