Actor, singer, piano prodigy, and had a genius IQ of 178. He was born Gary Neil Miller in Oklahoma and only grew to 3 feet 10 inches but it was obvious from an early age that he was special. At the age of 3, he walked up to his mother, Jewell, and said, "Momma, I can read." Her response was, "Sure you can, Gary." The boy then proceeded to pick up the paper and read it to her. At the age of 2, his family moved to Michigan where he won numerous awards in school. He never liked to be called "a little person" but when other kids stared or made fun of him, he would go up and talk to them. Michael earned a journalism degree from the University of Miami, where he was editor of the school newspaper. Despite his physical limitations, including chondrodystrophy, an inherited bone disorder, he also served as a lifeguard and enjoyed playing football and baseball. He always found ways around his physical limitations. His voice also was loud, which helped him on the cheerleading squad at Miami but by the time he graduated, he knew he wanted to be an actor. He went to New York, where he sang in bars and landed parts in off-Broadway plays. Michael was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the play, "Ballad of a Sad Cafe" and his career took off. He was nominated for Emmy awards for his appearances as "Dr. Loveless" in "Wild Wild West" episodes and in episodes of "Bonanza." He was nominated for an Academy award for his role as narrator in the 1965 movie, "Ship of Fools." He was in England to play the role of Birgito in the production of "The Abdication," when he died. Michael was originally buried in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and later on relatives decided it was time to bring him home to Oklahoma. Michael now lies close to the graves of his mother, Jewell, a teacher, and his father, Fred Miller, a railroad engineer.
Actor, singer, piano prodigy, and had a genius IQ of 178. He was born Gary Neil Miller in Oklahoma and only grew to 3 feet 10 inches but it was obvious from an early age that he was special. At the age of 3, he walked up to his mother, Jewell, and said, "Momma, I can read." Her response was, "Sure you can, Gary." The boy then proceeded to pick up the paper and read it to her. At the age of 2, his family moved to Michigan where he won numerous awards in school. He never liked to be called "a little person" but when other kids stared or made fun of him, he would go up and talk to them. Michael earned a journalism degree from the University of Miami, where he was editor of the school newspaper. Despite his physical limitations, including chondrodystrophy, an inherited bone disorder, he also served as a lifeguard and enjoyed playing football and baseball. He always found ways around his physical limitations. His voice also was loud, which helped him on the cheerleading squad at Miami but by the time he graduated, he knew he wanted to be an actor. He went to New York, where he sang in bars and landed parts in off-Broadway plays. Michael was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the play, "Ballad of a Sad Cafe" and his career took off. He was nominated for Emmy awards for his appearances as "Dr. Loveless" in "Wild Wild West" episodes and in episodes of "Bonanza." He was nominated for an Academy award for his role as narrator in the 1965 movie, "Ship of Fools." He was in England to play the role of Birgito in the production of "The Abdication," when he died. Michael was originally buried in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and later on relatives decided it was time to bring him home to Oklahoma. Michael now lies close to the graves of his mother, Jewell, a teacher, and his father, Fred Miller, a railroad engineer.
Bio by: Brenda N
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BORN: GARY MILLER
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