thumb|Anthony Michael Hall
'''Michael Anthony Thomas Charles Hall''' (born April 14, 1968 in West Roxbury, Massachusetts) is a U.S. movie actor who became famous in several successful, teenage Brat Pack films of the 1980s. He is now best known, however, for his starring role in the ''USA Network'' series ''
The Dead Zone'', which has aired since 2002.
Early career
He appeared in ''
National Lampoon's Vacation'', ''
Sixteen Candles'', ''
The Breakfast Club'', and ''
Weird Science''.
He appeared as a regular on ''
Saturday Night Live'' at the age of 17, the youngest cast member ever. After a string of bizarre behavior, a tour in rehabilitation for alcoholism, and late puberty, a far more athletic Hall appeared in Tim Burton's ''
Edward Scissorhands'' (1990), this time playing the part of a villainous football player.
Hall has denied he was ever in rehab, saying the closest he got was visiting friend Robert Downey, Jr. in jail. Hall has been diagnosed as bi-polar and was the subject of a lawsuit for shutting down production of ''
The Dead Zone'' due to his illness.
Hall starred in ''Hail Caesar'', a film about a would-be rock star who works in a pencil eraser factory, which Hall also directed. Hall continues to appear regularly in major films in a variety of roles such as Bill Gates in ''
Pirates of Silicon Valley'' and baseball player Whitey Ford in ''61*''.
Recent and current career
Hall starred opposite Sheryl Lee as the cheating husband Ted Robbins in the 2001 USA Cable movie "Hitched". This performance led to his starring role in ''
The Dead Zone'', a hit television series based on the Stephen King novel.
Hall writes and sings for his band, Hall of Mirrors. His sister is also a singer using the stage name of http://www.marycmusic.com/ Mary C. , his mother http://www.mercedeshall.com/ Mercedes Hall is a cabaret singer who also has http://www.myspace.com/mercedeshall a My Space page.
In the 2001 film ''Not Another Teen Movie'', Hall's contributions to 1980s teen comedy films are referenced, as a cafeteria within the movie's high school is named "Anthony Michael Dining Hall."
Selected filmography
*''Jennifer's Journey'' (1981) - Michael
*''
Six Pack'' (1982) - Doc
*''Running Out'' (1983) - Kylie
*''
National Lampoon's Vacation'' (1983) - Russell 'Rusty' Griswold
*''
Sixteen Candles'' (1984) - The Geek (Farmer Ted)
*''
The Breakfast Club'' (1985) - Brian Ralph Johnson
*''
Weird Science'' (1985) - Gary Wallace
*''
Saturday Night Live'' (1985-1986) (television) -
